Payload Engineer

WE ARE THE NRO
For sixty years, the NRO has developed, acquired, launched and operated the satellites that are the foundation for America’s advantage and strength in space. Using a diversified architecture of spacecraft, NRO collects and delivers the best space-based intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance content on the planet.

Learn more at NRO.gov .

Basic Eligibility For A Position With The NRO

• You must be a U.S. Citizen
• You must be 18 years of age or older
• You must be able to obtain and maintain a TS/SCI security clearance
• You will be subject to pre-employment and periodic drug testing
• You will be subject to pre-employment and periodic polygraph examinations

Where You Will Work

The NRO SIGINT Directorate is preparing for significant advancements in the collection, prosecution, and exploitation of SIGINT via a new generation of overhead collectors that will commence deployment no later than 2029. These new satellites will ultimately replace the current architecture. The NRO completed the new architecture’s Milestone-A in the summer of 2024, which serves as the basis for the next generation of SIGINT that will expand overall capability and capacity, distribute capability across orbital layers, disaggregate functions across systems, and enable Enterprise elements to work collectively in peacetime and conflict to accomplish a wide variety of missions.

This position serves as a Discovery Systems Program Office (DSPO) General Engineer providing technical and programmatic support on payload engineering issues affecting DSPO's SIGINT payloads. DSPO is responsible for delivering the next generation of LEO SIGINT satellite systems in response to evolving threat environments. The work involves working with development contractors, Aerospace, and SETA to develop, test, and deliver SIGINT payloads to support launches starting in 2029. This involves work on new technologies, methods, and approaches to SIGINT payloads; and/or providing expertise and advice on program planning covering how to more effectively deliver satellite payload systems. Work products and services of this position significantly impact the development of major aspects of SIGINT and thereby national security missions.

The NRO Cadre is collecting resumes for consideration against current and future opportunities for full-performance level (GGS 12-13), occupational series 0801. For more information on the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) occupational series, click here .

Your resume may be considered for other positions which your skills and experience may be a good match.

Who May Apply

• This position is open to the public.
• Federal government employees MUST currently be at the grade level or higher as indicated in this announcement. This is NOT a promotion opportunity for current Federal government employees. If selected for the position, Federal government employees will transition laterally at their current grade level and step.
• Federal applicants who exceed the advertised grade may voluntarily request acceptance at the lower grade per IAW DoD 1400.25 Volume 2006.
• The NRO is only accepting external applicants for this job announcement. Current NRO Cadre employees should apply internally.
• This position may not qualify for the appointment of a reemployed federal annuitant IAW DoDI 1400.25 Volume 300.

What You Will Be Doing
Guide the design, development, and integration of interferometer payload subsystems.
Identify and manage technical risks to optimize cost, schedule, and performance outcomes for interferometer payload missions.
Analyze the latest trends in interferometry technologies to inform future systems.
Function as the technical authority for interferometer payload development contracts.
Perform detailed technical assessments of interferometer subsystem integration challenges.
What You Need
Bachelor's degree in engineering or related discipline.
Proficiency in NRO acquisition processes and lifecycle management for payloads.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills for effective stakeholder engagement.
Qualifying experience may have been acquired in any public or private sector job, but will clearly demonstrate past experience in the application of the particular competencies/knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to successfully perform and is typically in or directly related to the duties of the position as described above. Experience must be reflected in your resume.

Other Information

• Overtime Statement: MAY be required to work other than normal duty hours, which may include evenings, weekends, and/or holidays.
• Travel Statement: MAY be required to travel in military or commercial aircraft to perform temporary duty assignments.
• Financial Disclosure: MAY be required to file an OGE Form 450, Confidential Financial Disclosure Report, upon appointment and will be required to file annually.
• Defense Acquisition Workforce Improvement Act (DAWIA) coded positions: If selected for a DAWIA coded position, the incumbent must meet appropriate certification requirements IAW the Defense Acquisition Workforce Improvement Act (DAWIA) no later than 24 months after accepting this position. Individual shall maintain, at a minimum 80 continuous Learning Points every 24 months via the services acquisition management system. DAWIA requirements may be located at the Defense Acquisition University website .
• Geographic Mobility Agreement: MAY be subject to directed reassignment as required to address mission effectiveness, and/or career development.
• Information Assurance (IA): Must achieve the appropriate IA certification within six months of assignment.
• Emergency Essential: Certain positions MAY be deemed emergency essential and incumbents must be willing to meet all position requirements.

Location
Chantilly, VA 20151
Telework is not available and you must be able to work at the specified location(s).

Salary

2026 salary range for the Washington, DC area: GGS-12 ($117,753-$160,933), GGS-13 ($132,751-$181,428)

**This position is a full-performance level DCIPS position. The NRO is accepting applications from U.S. Citizens and current federal government employees for this position. To qualify for the position, federal government employees MUST currently be at the GG – 12 grade level and may ONLY apply for a lateral reassignment at their current grade level and step. Federal applicants who exceed the advertised grade may voluntarily request acceptance at the lower grade per IAW DoD 1400.25 Volume 2006.

Hiring Incentives
The NRO may offer hiring incentives and other entitlements at management’s discretion.

Trial Period
All new DCIPS employees will be required to serve a 2-year trial period.

Veterans’ Preference
DoD Components with DCIPS positions apply Veterans’ Preference to preference eligible candidates as defined by Section 2108 of Title 5 USC, in accordance with the procedures provided in DoD Instruction 1400.25, Vol 2005, DCIPS Employment and Placement. If you are a veteran claiming veterans’ preference, as defined by section 2108 of Title 5 USC, you must submit documents verifying your eligibility upon request.

Equal Employment Opportunity Policy
The United States government does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, retaliation, parental status, military service or other non-merit factor. Reasonable Accommodation Policy
Federal agencies must provide reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities where appropriate. Applicants requiring reasonable accommodation for any part of the application process should follow the instructions in the job opportunity announcement. For any part of the remaining hiring process, applicants should contact the hiring agency directly. Determinations on requests for reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis.
A reasonable accommodation is any change to a job, the work environment, or the way things are usually done that enables an individual with a disability to apply for a job, perform job duties or receive equal access to job benefits.
Under the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, federal agencies must provide reasonable accommodations when:

• An applicant with a disability needs an accommodation to have an equal opportunity to apply for a job.
• An employee with a disability needs an accommodation to perform the essential job duties or to gain access to the workplace.
• An employee with a disability needs an accommodation to receive equal access to benefits, such as details, training, and office-sponsored events.

You can request a reasonable accommodation at any time during the application or hiring process or while on the job. Requests are considered on a case-by-case basis. Please send your request to [email protected] .

Privacy Act Notice
Privacy Act Notice (PL 93-579): We use this information to determine qualifications for employment. This is authorized under Title 5 U.S.C. 3302 and 3361.
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