Jobs and Careers
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Senior Project Manager
National Reconnaissance Office (NRO)United Statesfull_timeVerifiedPosted 22 Jun 2026
💰 $197,200/yr($167,446/yr – $197,200/yr)
About the role
WE ARE THE NRO
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.
Learn more at NRO.gov.
Basic Eligibility For A Position With The NRO
Where You Will Work
This is a senior program management leadership position in the Signals Intelligence Systems Acquisition Directorate (SIGINT) Space Systems Program Office (SSPO) Space and Launch (S&L) Division. The Senior Project Manager for over a billion-dollar Collection Segment (CS) Major System Acquisition (MSA) is responsible for supporting the MSA Program Manager (PM) and Deputy Program Manager (DPM) by directing the daily development, integration, test, verification, launch, and on-orbit operations validation of this critical intelligence collection sensor and associated space vehicle, ground accommodations, and external interfaces. The Senior Project Manager is responsible for overseeing trades, adjudicating interface issues, and optimizing performance across the CS.
SSPO requires a top-performing government civilian to bring a proactive and energetic approach to managing a technically and programmatically complex, high-visibility space and ground acquisition within tight schedule constraints. The selectee will need a strong understanding of the tradeoffs and informed risk-taking needed to ensure on-time delivery of the critical capability in order to avoid an Intelligence Community and Department of War mission gap.
The NRO Cadre is collecting resumes for consideration against current and future opportunities for senior level (GGS-15), non-supervisory Program Management, occupational series 1101. For more information on the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) occupational series, click here.
Your resume may be considered for other positions which your skills and experience may be a good match.
This is a full-time position that is open from June 22, 2026 through July 22, 2026. Resumes must be submitted by 11:59 PM EST on July 22, 2026.
Who May Apply
What You Will Be Doing
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.
Learn more at NRO.gov.
Basic Eligibility For A Position With The NRO
- 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
Where You Will Work
This is a senior program management leadership position in the Signals Intelligence Systems Acquisition Directorate (SIGINT) Space Systems Program Office (SSPO) Space and Launch (S&L) Division. The Senior Project Manager for over a billion-dollar Collection Segment (CS) Major System Acquisition (MSA) is responsible for supporting the MSA Program Manager (PM) and Deputy Program Manager (DPM) by directing the daily development, integration, test, verification, launch, and on-orbit operations validation of this critical intelligence collection sensor and associated space vehicle, ground accommodations, and external interfaces. The Senior Project Manager is responsible for overseeing trades, adjudicating interface issues, and optimizing performance across the CS.
SSPO requires a top-performing government civilian to bring a proactive and energetic approach to managing a technically and programmatically complex, high-visibility space and ground acquisition within tight schedule constraints. The selectee will need a strong understanding of the tradeoffs and informed risk-taking needed to ensure on-time delivery of the critical capability in order to avoid an Intelligence Community and Department of War mission gap.
The NRO Cadre is collecting resumes for consideration against current and future opportunities for senior level (GGS-15), non-supervisory Program Management, occupational series 1101. For more information on the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) occupational series, click here.
Your resume may be considered for other positions which your skills and experience may be a good match.
This is a full-time position that is open from June 22, 2026 through July 22, 2026. Resumes must be submitted by 11:59 PM EST on July 22, 2026.
Who May Apply
- 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 for the position, 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.
What You Will Be Doing
- Assist the Program Manager in all aspects of the execution of a billion+ dollar MSA. Monitors contract progress and expenditures against plans.
- Manages and assesses progress, including cost, schedule, and performance supporting baseline requirements, by applying program management methods and procedures.
- Develops, executes, and monitors risk management strategies to address areas of concern or potential gaps.
- Plans, organizes, and coordinates activities with functional specialists, including contracting, engineering, manufacturing, program controls, configuration/data management, test, and operations support. Continually studies, reviews and evaluates program progress.
- Works closely and substantially with the program Contracting Officer's Technical Representative (COTR) and prime contractor to ensure program objectives are achieved within stringent cost, schedule, and technical performance requirements.
- Provides a
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