The United States Space Force (USSF) Space and Missile Command (SSC) at Los Angeles AFB CA is searching for a Technical Director, GPS Ground System to support SSC/PCC (NH-0801-04, GS-14/15 Equivalent).
Description:
Lead the Next Generation of Space Capabilities. As Technical Director, you will drive a massive modernization effort for the U.S. Space Force's GPS ground system. This is a rare opportunity to architect the future of one of the most critical and widely utilized capabilities in the entire Department of Defense. You will lead the technical strategy, engineering execution, and integration activities required to deliver the next generation of GPS ground architecture upgrades, ensuring improved resiliency, cybersecurity, and mission performance for millions of military and civil users worldwide. In this role, you will guide engineering teams, adjudicate technical trades, and maintain the integrity of the system baseline across software development, system integration, cybersecurity accreditation, and operational acceptance. You will work independently and collaboratively across SSC, operational units, FFRDC/SETA partners, and multiple contractor organizations to synchronize technical efforts, resolve complex issues, and ensure the program is postured for successful delivery. Strong communication skills are essential, as you will routinely brief senior leaders, coordinate across diverse technical disciplines, and translate complex engineering topics into clear, actionable decisions. As a senior technical leader, you will also mentor junior engineers and help shape the technical culture of the program office.
Ideal Candidate:
Extensive experience in satellite ground system development, integration, or sustainment, ideally within PNT/GPS, MILSATCOM, or other mission critical C2 architectures. Strong technical foundation in systems engineering, software-intensive system upgrades, cybersecurity compliance (RMF/ATO), and complex system-of-systems integration. Demonstrated experience leading government or contractor engineering teams through major capability upgrades, tech refreshes, or modernization efforts. Familiarity with Space Systems Command (SSC) acquisition processes, configuration management, test planning, and operational acceptance pathways. Bachelor's degree in engineering, computer science, or related technical discipline (Master's preferred). Prior experience working with geographically distributed stakeholders, including program offices, operational units, cybersecurity offices, and contractor development teams.
Key Skills and Abilities:
1. Knowledge of a wide range of advanced multidisciplinary professional engineering concepts, principles, practices, standards, methods, and techniques to apply experimental theories and new developments to problems not susceptible to treatment by accepted methods, and to plan and execute specialized programs of marked difficulty, responsibility, and significance.
2. Knowledge of the mission, roles, functions, organizational structure, and operation of the DoD, Air Force, and organizations that govern, interface with, and/or influence systems acquisition, development, and/or sustainment, and knowledge of planning, programming, and budgeting cycles, financial systems, and restrictions on expenditure of funds.
3. Knowledge of and skill in evaluating state-of-the-art and advancements in theory, application, technology, and policy affecting systems being developed, and in planning, organizing, and directing the functions and staff in critical aspects of development, production, and/or support of systems, subsystems, or equipment.
4. Knowledge of safety, security, personnel management, and EEO regulations, practices, and procedures.
5. Skill in establishing and maintaining effective relationships, building consensus and coalitions, negotiating, and resolving conflicts with a variety of individuals and organizations as well as communicating effectively, both orally and in writing.
6. Ability to plan, organize, and direct the functions of an organization, and mentor, motivate, and appraise the staff through subordinate supervisors as well as analyze, plan, and adjust work operations of one or more organizational segments to meet program requirements and objectives within available resources.
Must be able to obtain and maintain a TS/SCI security clearance.
Safeguards classified or sensitive budget-related information and/or files.
May be required to work overtime on an unscheduled or emergency basis.
Eligible for situational telework only, including Emergency and OPM prescribed “Unscheduled Telework”.
This position will close after 5 business days or 75 applications, whichever comes first.
Employee may be required to perform travel by military or commercial passenger aircraft in the performance of temporary duty assignments.
PCS funding is authorized.
The employee must meet the Defense Acquisition Workforce Improvement Act (DAWIA) requirements applicable to the duties of the position.
Subject to Temporary Duty Assignment (TDY): 15 days a year.
This position has been designated as an acquisition position and is covered by the Acquisition Professional Development Program (APDP).
A bachelor's degree in engineering from an ABET-accredited program is required. An advanced technical background with a focus on launch vehicle systems is highly desirable.
This is a Critical Acquisition Position (CAP).
This is a drug testing designated position (TDP). The incumbent is subject to random testing for drug use, IAW AFI 90-508.
The employee is required to submit an initial and annual SF-450 (Financial Disclosure).
Qualifications
The 0801 series has an individual occupational requirement that must be met and can be viewed here. In addition to the above requirements, you can view the experience level requirements here. Please scroll down to the 4th section titled Professional and Scientific Positions.
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.
A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.
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.
A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.
Resume:You must submit a resume that may NOT exceed two pages, and the font size should not be smaller than 10 pts. You will not be considered for this vacancy if your resume exceeds two pages or is illegible/unreadable. Do NOT include photographs, inappropriate material, inappropriate content, nor personal information such as age, gender, religion, social security number, etc., on your resume. If the resume you submit contains such information you will not be considered for this vacancy. Your resume must provide:
Personal information - your full name, email and mailing addresses, phone number
Education information - the name of the school and the dates you attended
Work experience - paid and unpaid work with the following information:
Job title
Detailed duties and accomplishments
Employer's name and address
Supervisor's name and phone number
Starting and ending dates (If actual dates are not known, provide your best-estimated timeframes.)
Hours per week
Salary, if applicable
Other qualifications - skills, certifications/licenses, honors, awards, special accomplishments, and job-related training courses
College Transcripts (if applicable): Please see the Education section of this announcement for detailed information about transcripts.
If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:
Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.
Do not email applications. To submit your resume for this Direct Hire opportunity click here.
PLEASE NOTE: It is the applicant's responsibility to verify that information entered and/or uploaded, (i.e., resume) is received, accurate, and submitted by the closing date. You may verify your documents have been processed with your application package successfully. You can access your USAJOBS account to do so by clicking here. Uploaded documents may take up to one hour to clear the virus scan.
Resume:You must submit a resume that may NOT exceed two pages, and the font size should not be smaller than 10 pts. You will not be considered for this vacancy if your resume exceeds two pages or is illegible/unreadable. Do NOT include photographs, inappropriate material, inappropriate content, nor personal information such as age, gender, religion, social security number, etc., on your resume. If the resume you submit contains such information you will not be considered for this vacancy. Your resume must provide:
Personal information - your full name, email and mailing addresses, phone number
Education information - the name of the school and the dates you attended
Work experience - paid and unpaid work with the following information:
Job title
Detailed duties and accomplishments
Employer's name and address
Supervisor's name and phone number
Starting and ending dates (If actual dates are not known, provide your best-estimated timeframes.)
Hours per week
Salary, if applicable
Other qualifications - skills, certifications/licenses, honors, awards, special accomplishments, and job-related training courses
College Transcripts (if applicable): Please see the Education section of this announcement for detailed information about transcripts.
If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:
Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.
Do not email applications. To submit your resume for this Direct Hire opportunity click here.
PLEASE NOTE: It is the applicant's responsibility to verify that information entered and/or uploaded, (i.e., resume) is received, accurate, and submitted by the closing date. You may verify your documents have been processed with your application package successfully. You can access your USAJOBS account to do so by clicking here. Uploaded documents may take up to one hour to clear the virus scan.
