Job Description

Do you enjoy designing, creating, and exploring possibilities? Are you a Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics major looking to launch an exciting and challenging career? Does designing complex and innovative overhead reconnaissance systems interest you? Does a career with an “out of this world” mission sound intriguing?

If so, the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO) is looking for you!

The NRO Cadre is collecting resumes for consideration against current and future opportunities for aspiring professionals for our Entry Level Developmental Program (GG-07 to GG-09) to support our Technical Career Field. The current hiring focus is for individuals with the following degrees and experience:

• Aerospace or Astronautical Engineering
• Electrical Engineering
• Electronics or Computer Engineering
• Software Engineering (including AGILE development)
• Systems Engineering
• Thermal Engineering
• Mechanical Engineering
• Applied Physics
• Applied Mathematics (including operations research)
• Computer Science (including AI/ML)
• Cyber Security (including Information Systems Security)

Developmental employees will receive training and guidance to prepare them to support full performance level duties listed below.

DEVELOPMENTAL EMPLOYEES WILL RECEIVE THE FOLLOWING OPPORTUNITIES:

• Specific instructional guidance and a specific formal development plan to enable the individual to progressively perform increasingly technically complex assignments and tasks with more responsibility and less guidance.

• On-the-job training providing technical and professional advice on issues affecting the NRO.

• Formal training on how to originate new and improve existing applications and strategies for technical concepts, theories, and principles that affect the planning, completions and direction of major scientific and engineering projects.

• Instructional guidance on making decisions to resolve specific issues and problems while considering different, incomplete and often conflicting information and alternatives.

• On-the-job training for developing, delivering, and sustaining overhead reconnaissance systems, including technical solutions for spacecraft hardware, ground, and communication components, and mission software systems.

• Diverse training in various mission areas including program management, procurement, development, and supporting technical initiatives and/or operations.

• Pursuing full performance target level of GG-12 duties.

FULL PERFORMANCE GG-12, INTERDISCIPLINARY TECHNICAL (0801/1301/1501) DUTIES:

• Prepare, provide, and evaluate conventional plans, designs, design specifications, and related documentation determining and/or executing actions for a wide range of assignments involving a combination of complex features.

• Provide advice to senior colleagues and/or management officials responsible for broad program operations.

• Research trends and patterns; develop new methods and criteria; propose new policies and practices; conduct technical analysis and field laboratory work to achieve products or services.

• Evaluate the value and applicability of new or improved technology, strategies, trends, or applications.

• Assess project and program effectiveness interacting with NRO-user community with respect to system and/or operational requirements.

• Provide expertise and advice on program planning and policy-making functions covering a broad range of engineering and scientific program and plans. Develop and advise on and implement critical projects and/or segments of NRO programs, projects, or activities.

• Initiate and conduct thorough and comprehensive analytical studies or other complex studies involving varied subject matters. Studies vary in complexity based on scenario and the number of analytical models employed. Define the problem, formulate scope, establish objectives, formulate methodologies, coordinate research contributions of others and identify significant findings.

• Produce insightful findings, alternative courses of action, solutions to critical problems, etc., which have significant impact in changing or improving practical and/or theoretical concept development to future special operations.

• Conduct systemic exploration of problems and analysis of alternatives. Present trend analysis data ascertaining potential problem areas. Define the problems involved, formulate concepts in addressing these problems, and review and evaluate the final outcomes of the study. Identify and clarify major factors and issues of the study. Establish the objectives and approach; formulate methodologies; and plans, advise on and coordinate study activities.

• Plan, execute and report on original studies or ongoing studies requiring a fresh approach to resolve new problems, modifying and adapting standard procedures, methods and techniques to address problems.

• Plan, coordinate, implement, test, and conduct projects, serving as an advisor to other scientists or engineers.

• Perform scientific and technical evaluation, correlation, synthesis and presentation or important data in a complex field making significant technical and scientific recommendations and decisions.

Don’t forget to check out our excellent benefits!

You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply. This position requires that you obtain and maintain a TS/SCI security clearance. You will also be subject to pre-employment and periodic drug testing and a polygraph examination. 

Qualification Requirements Requires minimum education of a Bachelor’s degree in engineering or a related technical field (STEM Degree such as, engineering technology, physics, chemistry, architecture, computer science, mathematics, hydrology, geology, etc.) in additional to the requirements below.

For questions about qualifying degrees, please the following links:

General Engineer - https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/0800/files/all-professional-engineering-positions-0800.pdf

General Physical Sciences - https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/1300/general-physical-science-series-1301/

General Math - https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/1500/general-mathematics-and-statistics-series-1501star/

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 the duties of the position. Experience must be reflected in your resume.

Examples of qualifying experience include applying knowledge of, and skill in applying, theories, concepts, principles, and methodologies of an engineering or architectural discipline sufficient to: 

• research, analyze, interpret, evaluate, and carry out assignments; 
• determine relevancy and use of aesthetic, factual, economic and financial, engineering, architectural, and/or scientific information; 
• prepare, provide, and evaluate conventional plans, designs, design specifications, and related documentation; 
• perform and interpret calculations, analyses, and computations for unknown factors or relationships; 
• conduct analytical investigations using the scientific method;
• research and apply accepted and relevant business, marketing, and organizational practices, as needed; and/or 
• articulate information through various venues such as discussions, meetings, fact sheets, reports, design documentation, briefings, and presentations.

Entry-Level/Developmental (GG-07 to GG-09)

2021 Salary Range for Washington DC Area:

GG-07 - $49,174 – $63,906

GG-09 - $60,129 - $78,167

GG-7: A Bachelor’s in a related occupation is qualifying for this level 

GG-9: A Master’s degree in a related occupation is qualifying for this level

These positions are a Defense Civilian Intelligence Personnel System (DCIPS) position in the Excepted Service under 10 USC 1601.

Additional Information about Working for NRO Cadre

Basic Eligibility for a position with 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

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 with your application package.

Equal Employment Opportunity Policy

The United States Government does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy and gender identity), 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.

• Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) for federal employees & job applicants

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.

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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