Data Transport Portfolio Architect

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.

Basic Eligibility

• You must be a U.S. Citizen
• 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

About the Role

The Office of Chief Architect (OCA) is in search of a sharp, critically thinking problem solver to serve as an Enterprise Architect in the Data Transport enterprise capability portfolio area. This position is non-supervisory; however, the individual will lead a team of 2-3 contractors.

OCA advances the NRO Enterprise by defining, assessing, and delivering the future NRO Enterprise Architecture, shaping investment decisions, and enabling enterprise decision-making. It does so by formulating strategic architecture imperatives for the NRO, developing end-to-end architecture capability at all layers of the Enterprise (space, ground, application, data, facility, infrastructure, etc.), executing long-term strategic planning, driving NRO architecture investments to advance the mission and address strategic challenges. OCA represents the NRO on IC and DoD major architecture initiatives and significant shared programs and advises NRO senior leadership on NRO Enterprise advancement to ensure NRO maintains strategic advantage in today’s rapidly changing national security environment.

This is a full-time position open from 7 August, 2026 through 21 August, 2026. Resumes must be submitted by 11:59 PM EST on 21 August, 2026.

Who May Apply

• This position is open to the public.
• Federal government employees MUST currently be at the GG-13 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 per IAW DoWI 1400.25 Volume 2006.
• The NRO is only accepting external applicants for this job announcement. Current NRO Cadre employees should apply internally.
• This position may not qualify for the appointment of a reemployed federal annuitant IAW DoWI 1400.25 Volume 300.

Responsibilities

• Define end-to-end data flow architectures from collection to delivery
• Create layered architecture models (physical, data link, network, application)
• Develop requirements for future architectures aligning to user needs and strategic intent
• Define interfaces between space, ground, and tactical edge segments
• Design redundant path architectures to eliminate single points of failure
• Develop architectures that accommodate future growth
• Conduct architecture reviews with stakeholders
• Validate designs against mission requirements and technology options
• Conduct and oversee technical analyses and assessments to support senior-level decision making
• Mature architecture concepts and strategies as necessary
• Develop planning guidance to drive investment and assess budget execution
• Explore and experiment with new and/or improved concepts, technology, and strategies to determine feasibility, enterprise utility, and risk
• Execute often ambiguous tasks requiring new enterprise approaches, sophisticated architectural techniques, creative collection solutions, and utilize enterprise digital engineering models

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Professional Engineering or related field
• Sound understanding of intelligence satellite systems
• Expertise in multidisciplinary engineering concepts, principles, and practices
• Proven critical thinking and analytical writing skills
• Demonstrated project management and leadership abilities

Qualifications

• Knowledge of DoD and Intelligence Community (IC) organizations, missions, relevant policies, and processes
• Understanding of government acquisition processes
• Knowledge of and ability to apply analytic, diagnostic, and qualitative techniques sufficient to produce authoritative analytical products, and the ability to employ new methodological approaches to analyze information
• Experience with commercial, civil, national security, or defense space missions
• Familiarity with digital engineering environments

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.

Applicants submitting a resume that exceeds the two-page limit per OPM Memorandum, “Merit Hiring Plan,” dated May 29, 2025, will not be eligible for consideration.

Other Information

• MAY be required to work other than normal duty hours, which may include evenings, weekends, and/or holidays.
• MAY be required to travel in military or commercial aircraft to perform temporary duty assignments.
• MAY be required to file an OGE Form 450, Confidential Financial Disclosure Report, upon appointment and will be required to file annually.
• If selected for a Defense Acquisition Workforce Improvement Act (DAWIA) coded position, the incumbent must meet appropriate certification requirements no later than 24 months after accepting this position. Individual shall maintain, at a minimum, 80 continuous Learning Points every 24 months via the services acquisition management system.
• MAY be subject to directed reassignment as required to address mission effectiveness, and/or career development.
• Must achieve the appropriate Information Assurance (IA) certification within six months of assignment.
• Certain positions MAY be deemed emergency essential and incumbents must be willing to meet all position requirements.

Location

Chantilly, VA 20151

Telework is not available and you must be able to work at the specified location(s).

Pay

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.

2026 salary range for the Washington, DC area: GG-13 $132,751 – $181,428

This position is a 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-13 grade level and may ONLY apply for a lateral reassignment at their current grade level and step.

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.