Acquisition Program Manager

Acquisition Program Manager - Full Performance

We Are The NRO

For sixty years, the NRO has developed, acquired, launched, and operated the satellites that form 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.

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• U.S. Citizenship is required.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a TS/SCI security clearance.
• Subject to pre‑employment and periodic drug testing.
• Subject to pre‑employment and periodic polygraph examinations.

Are you a negotiator? Do you enjoy managing or overseeing complex legal agreements or contracts? Are you a finance, accounting, business or economics professional looking for an exciting challenge? Do you want to manage multi‑million‑dollar acquisition and procurement contracts for reconnaissance satellite systems to ensure the safety and security of the United States?

The NRO Cadre is collecting resumes for Full Performance Level Acquisition Program Management Officers, occupational series 1101. Current Federal Government employees must be at the appropriate grade level; this is not a promotion opportunity.

• Open to the public.
• Federal employees currently at the grade level or higher as indicated. Selected employees will transition laterally at their current grade.
• External applicants only; current NRO Cadre employees should apply internally.
• This position does not qualify for reemployment of federal annuitants.

• Influence and lead acquisitions to ensure operational needs are met through requirements reviews, planning sessions, design reviews, and demonstrations.
• Manage cost, schedule, and performance of complex contracts for procurement, hardware, ground systems, and mission software.
• Ensure end‑to‑end operational readiness of new satellite missions, including delivery of ground systems, system testing, and operational capability criteria.
• Collaborate with internal and external stakeholders, including acquisition offices and mission partners, to support mission operations.
• Manage technical issues and risks to minimize impact on mission success while minimizing operational disruptions.
• Recommend improvements to mission operations, focusing on efficiency, availability, resiliency, and operability.
• Identify and apply innovative technology solutions with real‑time impact to ground segments.
• Provide input in source selection and assess contractor performance during all acquisition phases.
• Plan, organize, and coordinate activities with functional specialists (contracting, engineering, manufacturing, program control, configuration/data management, test, logistics, and operations support).
• Work closely with Program Contacting Officer’s Technical Representatives (COTRs) and prime contractors to ensure program objectives are met within cost, schedule, and performance requirements.
• Provide authoritative recommendations, briefings, and status updates to management on all aspects of program performance.

• Bachelor’s degree in a related occupation (Management, Engineering, Science, etc.) is highly desirable; equivalent experience may qualify.
• Directly applicable minimum of 4 years of experience demonstrating knowledge, skills, and competencies necessary for immediate success.
• DAWIA coded positions: must achieve appropriate certification within 48–60 months; maintain at least 80 continuous learning points every 24 months.
• DAWIA
  
  Functional Area
  
  /Tier
  
  Required:
  
  GG12 (Program Management/Practitioner) or GG13 (Program Management/Advanced).
• Continuing education requirements to maintain DAWIA certification. COTR appointments require NRO Acquisition COTR training (NI 30‑1‑3).

Qualifying experience can be obtained in public or private sector roles; it must be reflected in your résumé.

Resumes exceeding the two‑page limit per OPM Memorandum, “Merit Hiring Plan,” dated May 29, 2025, will not be considered.

• Overtime Statement:
  May require work outside normal duty hours.
• Travel Statement:
  May require travel in military or commercial aircraft.
• Financial Disclosure:
  Ma…