NRO
NRO IT Specialist
For over sixty years, the NRO has developed, acquired, launched, and operated the satellites that are the foundation for America's advantage and strength in space. The NRO Cadre is collecting resumes via a continuous announcement for consideration against current and future opportunities for senior/expert level IT Specialists. 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, 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
This is a broad announcement that requires specialty in one or more of the following specialized areas: Software Engineer/Applications Development : Serve as an expert software engineer/applications developer and consultant, managing and directing multiple highly complex and innovative IT projects and initiatives. This includes translating technical specifications into programming specifications; developing, customizing, and/or acquiring applications software programs; and testing, debugging, and maintaining software programs. Project Leadership : Provide expert technical advice, leadership, and direction on a variety of information technology projects delivering new capabilities, services, or platforms. Determines project objectives and sets priorities; anticipates potential threats and opportunities. Provides expert leadership and guidance in how to use user research findings to influence IT product selection, development, and delivery. Establishes a shared understanding across team members and stakeholders. Lead, coordinate, communicate, integrate, and is accountable for the overall success of the program, ensuring alignment with critical agency priorities. Leadership to Ad Hoc Teams : Lead cross-functional teams at scale or in highly complex environments to develop innovative software and/or services. Focuses team efforts towards current goals and priorities. Plan, develop, and execute large-scale IT projects that transform the manner in which work is accomplished. Determine the size, skills, and roles necessary for an ad hoc team to deliver a product and identifies appropriate team members. Relationship Management : Work closely with customer agencies in senior leadership roles and navigates conflicting priorities from senior stakeholders or in complex environments. Reinforces, upholds, and advocates core principles for building IT services, including building in the open, developing software using agile and lean methodologies, and using user-centered design methods. What You Need
Highly desired: Bachelor's or Master's degree in related IT functional area (e.g., software engineer, information technology, cybersecurity, systems and network engineers, etc.). Mastery of and directly applicable experience with advanced IT principles, concepts, methods, standards, and practices. Experience developing and interpreting policies, procedures, and strategies governing the planning and delivery of services throughout the agency. Proven ability to provide expert technical advice, guidance, and recommendations to management and other technical specialists on critical IT issues. Significant experience applying new developments to previously unsolvable problems and make decisions or recommendations that significantly influence important agency IT policies or programs. Proven ability to manage large-scale projects from end to end to include leading cross-functional teams. Demonstrated experience communicating with high-ranking stakeholders to resolve issues, provide executive briefings, and status updates. Experience delivering IT products using Agile and lean methodologies. 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
Cyberspace Workforce and Qualification Management Program: In accordance with DoDM-8140.03, employees are required to achieve and maintain the appropriate foundational and residential qualification requirements within their associated work role qualification matrix. Foundational qualification requirements must be met within 9 months of assignment. Resident qualification requirements must be met within 12 months of assignment. This may be met through a variety of approaches including education, training, and commercial certifications. Professional Development: In accordance with DoDM-8140.03, employees are required to complete 20 hours of continuous professional development or education annually to maintain qualification in their cyber work role. 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 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. Critical Acquisition Positions (CAP): Unless specifically waived by the appropriate Component Official or if the employee is "grandfathered", the following are statutorily mandated requirements (Reference 10 U.S.C. 1733 and 1737). 1. Employee must execute, as a condition of employment, a written tenure agreement to maintain in Federal Service in this position for at least three years. In signing such an agreement, the employee does not forfeit any employment rights, nor does such an agreement alter any other terms or conditions of employment. 2. Employee must have 4 years acquisition experience. Geographic Mobility Agreement: May be subject to directed reassignment as required to address mission effectiveness, and/or career development. Emergency Essential: Certain positions are deemed emergency essential and incumbents must be willing to meet all position requirements. Location: Washington D.C. area. Salary: This position meets the qualifications for Defense Civilian Intelligence Personnel System (DCIPS) Targeted Local Market Supplement (TLMS) STEM pay for NRO Cadre employees and candidates as authorized by the office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Intelligence and Security's (OUSD(I&S)). Cadre employees and candidates are eligible to receive STEM pay if they are currently serving in a STEM designated position. 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://dcips.defense.gov/Human-Resources/Compensation/. 2025 STEM Salary ranges: GG-14: $146,807 - $190,848 GG-15: $165,789 - $195,200 **This position is a senior/expert 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 14-15 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 DoDI 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 1
For over sixty years, the NRO has developed, acquired, launched, and operated the satellites that are the foundation for America's advantage and strength in space. The NRO Cadre is collecting resumes via a continuous announcement for consideration against current and future opportunities for senior/expert level IT Specialists. 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, 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
This is a broad announcement that requires specialty in one or more of the following specialized areas: Software Engineer/Applications Development : Serve as an expert software engineer/applications developer and consultant, managing and directing multiple highly complex and innovative IT projects and initiatives. This includes translating technical specifications into programming specifications; developing, customizing, and/or acquiring applications software programs; and testing, debugging, and maintaining software programs. Project Leadership : Provide expert technical advice, leadership, and direction on a variety of information technology projects delivering new capabilities, services, or platforms. Determines project objectives and sets priorities; anticipates potential threats and opportunities. Provides expert leadership and guidance in how to use user research findings to influence IT product selection, development, and delivery. Establishes a shared understanding across team members and stakeholders. Lead, coordinate, communicate, integrate, and is accountable for the overall success of the program, ensuring alignment with critical agency priorities. Leadership to Ad Hoc Teams : Lead cross-functional teams at scale or in highly complex environments to develop innovative software and/or services. Focuses team efforts towards current goals and priorities. Plan, develop, and execute large-scale IT projects that transform the manner in which work is accomplished. Determine the size, skills, and roles necessary for an ad hoc team to deliver a product and identifies appropriate team members. Relationship Management : Work closely with customer agencies in senior leadership roles and navigates conflicting priorities from senior stakeholders or in complex environments. Reinforces, upholds, and advocates core principles for building IT services, including building in the open, developing software using agile and lean methodologies, and using user-centered design methods. What You Need
Highly desired: Bachelor's or Master's degree in related IT functional area (e.g., software engineer, information technology, cybersecurity, systems and network engineers, etc.). Mastery of and directly applicable experience with advanced IT principles, concepts, methods, standards, and practices. Experience developing and interpreting policies, procedures, and strategies governing the planning and delivery of services throughout the agency. Proven ability to provide expert technical advice, guidance, and recommendations to management and other technical specialists on critical IT issues. Significant experience applying new developments to previously unsolvable problems and make decisions or recommendations that significantly influence important agency IT policies or programs. Proven ability to manage large-scale projects from end to end to include leading cross-functional teams. Demonstrated experience communicating with high-ranking stakeholders to resolve issues, provide executive briefings, and status updates. Experience delivering IT products using Agile and lean methodologies. 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
Cyberspace Workforce and Qualification Management Program: In accordance with DoDM-8140.03, employees are required to achieve and maintain the appropriate foundational and residential qualification requirements within their associated work role qualification matrix. Foundational qualification requirements must be met within 9 months of assignment. Resident qualification requirements must be met within 12 months of assignment. This may be met through a variety of approaches including education, training, and commercial certifications. Professional Development: In accordance with DoDM-8140.03, employees are required to complete 20 hours of continuous professional development or education annually to maintain qualification in their cyber work role. 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 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. Critical Acquisition Positions (CAP): Unless specifically waived by the appropriate Component Official or if the employee is "grandfathered", the following are statutorily mandated requirements (Reference 10 U.S.C. 1733 and 1737). 1. Employee must execute, as a condition of employment, a written tenure agreement to maintain in Federal Service in this position for at least three years. In signing such an agreement, the employee does not forfeit any employment rights, nor does such an agreement alter any other terms or conditions of employment. 2. Employee must have 4 years acquisition experience. Geographic Mobility Agreement: May be subject to directed reassignment as required to address mission effectiveness, and/or career development. Emergency Essential: Certain positions are deemed emergency essential and incumbents must be willing to meet all position requirements. Location: Washington D.C. area. Salary: This position meets the qualifications for Defense Civilian Intelligence Personnel System (DCIPS) Targeted Local Market Supplement (TLMS) STEM pay for NRO Cadre employees and candidates as authorized by the office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Intelligence and Security's (OUSD(I&S)). Cadre employees and candidates are eligible to receive STEM pay if they are currently serving in a STEM designated position. 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://dcips.defense.gov/Human-Resources/Compensation/. 2025 STEM Salary ranges: GG-14: $146,807 - $190,848 GG-15: $165,789 - $195,200 **This position is a senior/expert 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 14-15 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 DoDI 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 1