Skip to main content
U.S. flag

Acquisition Program Engineer, SSC/SW

Department of the Air Force
Space Systems Command
United States Space Force / Space Systems Command / SW

Summary

Do not email applications. To submit your resume for this Direct Hire opportunity click here.

For additional information on other USSF direct hire opportunities visit the
Air Force Civilian Careers Space Force website and follow USSF on LinkedIn.

Overview

Help
Accepting applications
Location
1 vacancy in the following location:
Work site options
Telework eligible
Yes—as determined by the agency policy.
Remote job
No
Relocation expenses reimbursed
Yes—You may qualify for reimbursement of relocation expenses in accordance with agency policy.
Salary
$102,415 - $158,322 per year
Pay scale & grade
NH 3
Promotion potential
None
Pay scale and grade determines the salary of the job.
Work schedule
Full-time
Travel Required
25% or less - You may be expected to travel for this position.
Appointment type
Permanent
Occupations and job series
Supervisory status
No
Federal service type
This job is in the Competitive Service
Represented by a union
No
Drug test
Yes
Security clearance
Sensitive Compartmented Information
Position sensitivity and risk
Critical-Sensitive (CS)/High Risk
Jobs require a background check and some require a security clearance. The type depends on the job.
Background check type
Financial disclosure required
Yes
Some jobs require financial disclosure to identify conflicts of interests.
Announcement number
SF-FY27-6S-NH-0801-3-SPLSH
Control number
892327900

Videos

Duties

Help

The United States Space Force (USSF) in Chantilly, VA is searching for an Acquisition Program Engineer to support SSC/SW (NH-0801-03, GS-12/13 Equivalent).

Description:
Join Space Systems Command as a General Engineer supporting the development and acquisition of advanced sensing capabilities that strengthen space-enabled mission outcomes. In this role, you will lead and support complex engineering projects and studies within established cost, schedule, and performance constraints, with a focus on advanced sensor acquisition, and targeting capabilities. You will work across a dynamic system-of-systems environment to translate operational needs into sound technical solutions, resolve challenging integration issues, manage technical risk, and help shape program strategies.

Looking for an innovative, collaborative engineer who can bring together diverse technical and program stakeholders to achieve shared objectives. You will apply sound engineering judgment to evaluate complex problems, develop and assess alternatives, and provide clear, actionable recommendations to senior leaders. Success in this position requires the ability to manage priorities and resources, coordinate with customers and partner organizations, monitor progress, and evaluate results. Strong communication, relationship-building, and negotiation skills are essential to explaining highly technical concepts, building consensus, and advancing solutions that meet operational expectations.


Ideal Candidate:
The ideal candidate is an experienced engineer with a background in systems, aerospace, electronics, or a related engineering discipline, with demonstrated experience supporting the acquisition, development, integration, testing, or sustainment of complex space, airborne, sensor, or weapon-system capabilities. The candidate should be able to independently lead multidisciplinary engineering efforts; develop and manage system requirements, specifications, and performance objectives; assess technical alternatives; and provide recommendations that balance cost, schedule, performance, reliability, supportability, and technical risk. Experience integrating hardware, software, sensors, and mission systems across multiple platforms or domains is highly desirable. The candidate should be skilled in systems engineering, specialty engineering, mission assurance, lifecycle management, risk mitigation, and technical analysis. Strong written and verbal communication skills are essential for preparing technical reports, presenting briefings, coordinating with cross-functional teams, and advising leadership. Experience with advanced sensing architectures, Airborne/Space Moving Target Indication (AMTI), space systems, surveillance or reconnaissance systems, sensor integration, or similar mission areas is preferred.


Requirements

Help

Conditions of employment

  • Must be a U.S Citizen.
  • Must be able to obtain and maintain a Top-Secret / SCI security clearance.
  • Safeguards classified or sensitive and/or classified information and/or files.
  • Work may require prolonged standing, exposure to the outside elements, and in the immediate vicinity of hazardous areas.
  • 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.
  • May be required to perform travel by military or commercial passenger aircraft in the performance of temporary duty assignments.
  • PCS / relocation funding is authorized and may be made available.
  • Subject to Temporary Duty Assignment (TDY): 15 days a year.
  • May be required to work overtime on an unscheduled or emergency basis.
  • This position is part of the Acquisition Professional Development Program (APDP).
  • The employee must meet the Defense Acquisition Workforce Improvement Act (DAWIA) requirements applicable to the duties of the position.
  • Position requires a professional engineering degree at the bachelor's level from an ABET accredited institution is required. Advanced degrees are preferred.
  • Employee must within 30-days of assuming this position and annually thereafter, file an OGE-450, “Confidential Financial Disclosure Report.” Employee is required to attend annual ethics and procurement integrity training.

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.

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.

Space Systems Command

IMPORTANT INFORMATION: This Job Opportunity Announcement (JOA) will be used to form a pool of qualified applicants who will be considered for direct hire vacancies as they become available.

To learn more about the United States Space Force Mission click here

Agency contact information

US Space Force Enterprise Talent Management
Email
HQ.USSF.TalentAcquisition@spaceforce.mil
Address
USSF - Space Systems Command
1670 Space Force Pentagon
Washington, DC 20330
US

Visit our careers page

Learn more about what it's like to work at Space Systems Command, what the agency does, and about the types of careers this agency offers.

https://spaceforce.com

Your session is about to expire!

Your USAJOBS session will expire due to inactivity in 8 minutes. Any unsaved data will be lost if you allow the session to expire. Click the button below to continue your session.