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Technical Director, 19 SDS

Department of the Air Force
United States Space Force Forces
United States Space Force / 19 Space Defense Squadron

Summary

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Overview

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Accepting applications
Open & closing dates
02/12/2026 to 02/19/2026
Salary
$143,913 to - $197,200 per year

Salary is dependent upon duty location, grade, step and locality pay. Equivalent to GS 14/15 Equivalent.

Pay scale & grade
NH 4
Location
1 vacancy in the following location:
Dahlgren, VA
Remote job
No
Telework eligible
Yes—as determined by the agency policy.
Travel Required
25% or less - You may be expected to travel for this position.
Relocation expenses reimbursed
Yes—You may qualify for reimbursement of relocation expenses in accordance with agency policy.
Appointment type
Permanent
Work schedule
Full-time
Service
Competitive
Promotion potential
None
Supervisory status
Yes
Security clearance
Sensitive Compartmented Information
Drug test
Yes
Position sensitivity and risk
Critical-Sensitive (CS)/High Risk
Trust determination process
Financial disclosure
No
Bargaining unit status
No
Announcement number
SF-FY26-6F-NH-0301-4-SPLASH
Control number
857648200

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Duties

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The United States Space Force (USSF) in Dahlgren, VA is searching for a Technical Director for the 19 SDS (NH-0301-04, GS-14/15 equivalent).

Description:
Join the cutting edge of national defense as a Technical Director for the 19th Space Defense Squadron, the U.S. Space Force's center for innovation in space operations. We are seeking a visionary leader to serve as the top-ranking civilian and head of the Mission Assurance Branch. In this critical role, you will guide a dedicated team of IT and computer specialists to accomplish our vital Space Domain Awareness (SDA) and Space Traffic Management (STM) missions. You will be responsible for protecting and defending U.S. and allied interests by providing timely and accurate satellite data, developing new capabilities, and ensuring the operational readiness of our mission systems.


Ideal Candidate:
The ideal candidate for the Technical Director role is a visionary and strategic leader who will serve as the squadron's senior civilian authority and the Commander's top technical advisor. This individual must possess expert-level knowledge of multidisciplinary engineering, particularly in Space Domain Awareness (SDA), to guide a team of IT specialists and oversee complex technical projects. They are a mentor and a master communicator, capable of fostering professional growth within their team while building and maintaining critical relationships with partners across the USSF, DoD, NASA, and private industry. This person must be able to obtain and maintain a Top Secret/SCI clearance and will ideally hold a bachelor's degree.


Recruitment Knowledge Skills and Abilities:
1. Knowledge of the theories, concepts, principles, practices, standards, methods, techniques, and materials of professional multidisciplinary engineering to effectively apply advanced engineering principles and concepts to new applications, experimental theories, and other areas of responsibility.
2. Knowledge of planning and program management to execute major projects, provide expert advice to colleagues, and present innovative recommendations for advancing programs and/or methods.
3. Knowledge of safety, security, personnel management, and EEO regulations, practices, and procedures.
4. Ability to plan, organize, and direct the functions of an organization and mentor, motivate, and appraise the staff through subordinate supervisors.
5. Ability to analyze, plan, and adjust work operations of one or more organizational segments to meet program requirements and objectives within available resources.
6. Ability to communicate clearly, concisely, and with technical accuracy, both orally and in writing, as well as work in a professional manner with peers, management, contractors, academia, and other agencies.


Requirements

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Conditions of employment

  • Must be a U.S Citizen.
  • Must be able to obtain and maintain a Top-Secret / SCI security clearance.
  • May be required to handle and safeguard sensitive and/or classified information in accordance with regulations to reduce potential compromise.
  • Eligible for situational telework only, including Emergency and OPM prescribed "unscheduled telework".
  • May be required to work overtime on an unscheduled or emergency basis.
  • May be required to travel by military or commercial aircraft in the performance of TDY assignments.
  • This position will close after 5 business days or 75 applications, whichever comes first.
  • PCS /relocation funding is not authorized.
  • A professional STEM degree at the bachelor level from an ABET accredited institution is highly desired
  • This is a drug testing designated position. The incumbent is subject to pre-employment drug testing as a condition of employment, and participation in random drug testing.
  • Subject to Temporary Duty Assignment (TDY): Approximately 15 days per year.

Qualifications

The 0301 series does not have an individual occupational requirement that must be met. You can view the experience level requirements here.

Additional information

Employed Annuitants (Reemployed Annuitants): Applicants in receipt of an annuity based on civilian employment in the Federal Service are subject to the DoD Policy on The Employment of Annuitants. Click here for more information.

Disabled veteran leave is available to a Federal employee hired on/after 5 Nov 2016, who is a veteran with a service-connected disability rating of 30% or more. For more information, click here.

Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

How you will be evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs): Your qualifications will be evaluated on the basis of your level of knowledge, skills, abilities and/or competencies as related to the series and grade of the position being filled. Final qualifications determinations will be assessed based on OPM's General Schedule Qualifications Standards found here:

Interviews: You will be contacted by e-mail and/or telephone if your application is identified as qualifying for a position being filled. An interview may be conducted. If interviewed, you will be asked to address the same knowledge, skills, abilities and/or competencies used to initially qualify your application for the position.

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