Acquisition Program Manager - Full Performance

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 U.S.

Citizenship is required 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 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?  Does managing and overseeing multi-million-dollar acquisition and procurement contracts for reconnaissance satellite systems to ensure the safety and security of the United States interest you?

Does a career with an “out of this world” mission sound intriguing?

The NRO Cadre is collecting resumes for consideration against current and future opportunities for Full Performance Level Acquisition Program Management Officers, occupational series 1101.

For more information on the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) occupational series, click here .

This is a full-time position.

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 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 does not qualify for the appointment of a Reemployed Federal Annuitant IAW DoDI 1400.25 Volume 300.

What You Will Be Doing   Influence and lead acquisitions, to ensure both requirements and designs address operational needs via requirements reviews, increment planning sessions, design reviews, increment demonstrations, etc.  Lead activities with functional specialists, including contracting, engineering, manufacturing program control, configuration / data management, test, and logistics and operations support.

Manage cost, schedule, and performance of complex contracts to develop, deliver, and sustain overhead reconnaissance systems, including spacecraft hardware, ground and communication components, and mission software applications.

Ensure the end-to-end operational readiness of new satellite missions, to include successful delivery of all ground systems; completion of systems test and operational exercises; development of initial and final operational capability criteria with stakeholders; and assessment of ability to support launch, initialization, and operations.

Collaborate with operational stakeholders both internal and external to the NRO, to include acquisition offices and mission partners in support of mission operations.

Manage technical issues and risks to minimize impacts to ensure mission success while minimizing operational impacts.

Investigate and make recommendations to improve mission operations, in areas, such as efficiency, availability, resiliency, and operability.  Ensure completion of milestone readiness criteria and coordination with decision authorities to bring new satellite missions and ground capabilities into operations.

Opportunity to identify and work on innovative technology solutions and approaches with real time impact to the existing Ground Segments.

Provides input in source selection and assess contractor performance during all acquisition phases, including operations.

Plans, organizes, and coordinates activities with functional specialist, including contracting, engineering, manufacturing, program control, configuration / data management, test, logistics and operations support.

Continually studies, reviews and evaluates program progress.

Works closely and substantially with program Contacting Officer's Technical Representatives (COTRs) and prime contractors to provide leadership and ensure program objectives are achieved within stringent cost, schedule, and technical performance requirements.

Provides authoritative recommendations, briefings, and other formal and informal feedback and status to management on all aspects of program status, contractor technical performance and for all significant decision points.

What You Need  A Bachelor’s Degree in a related occupation (Management, Engineering, Science, etc.) is highly desirable, or you may qualify based on experience.   Applicant must have directly applicable minimum of 4 years of experience that demonstrates the knowledge, skills, abilities and competencies necessary for immediate success in the position.

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 48 – 60 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 .

DAWIA Functional Area / Tier Required :

Applicants submitting a resume that exceeds the two-page limit per OPM Memorandum, “Merit Hiring Plan,” dated May 29, 2025, https :

Other Information Overtime Statement :

Travel Statement :

Financial Disclosure :

Geographic Mobility Agreement :

Information Assurance (IA) :

Emergency Essential :

Should a Cadre employee or candidate earning STEM pay change positions within the organization, they must be assigned to another STEM qualifying position in order to continue to remain eligible for STEM pay.  Otherwise, Cadre employees and Candidates Generally would be transitioned to the DCIPS GG Pay Scale.  For more information on STEM pay, visit https :

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.

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 :

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