Payload Engineer

National Reconnaissance Office (NRO) • Chantilly, VA

2d • $117,753 - $181,428 • Onsite

About The Position

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.

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.

Requirements

• 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
• 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.

Responsibilities

• 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 This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level