Jobs and Careers

Chief Engineer

United Statesfull_timeVerifiedPosted 16 Apr 2026

💰 $197,200/yr($148,275/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

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
The Mission Operations Directorate (MOD) is the single National Reconnaissance Office (NRO) entity that operates all NRO systems to deliver intelligence value to national decision makers, the Intelligence Community, and warfighters. We continually innovate how we deliver, employ, and integrate NRO systems to solve the most challenging intelligence problems while identifying and defining critical future capabilities. We defend and fight through crisis and conflict in concert with U.S. and allied mission partners.
As part of the MOD team, you will…

be empowered to provide direct mission impact to end users
have global reach
have the ability to do hands-on work with cutting-edge technology
have the ability to work with all NRO acquisitions and systems
work in a truly dynamic, rewarding environment
gain invaluable experience for future assignments

As the Chief Engineer managing all site systems engineering & integration, you will be responsible for tasking and supervisory oversight of a wide variety of engineering, program management, and contractor personnel. The work requires making many decisions to resolve specific complex or intricate issues and problems, developing new methods and criteria, or proposing new policies and practices. Familiarity with NRO systems/orgs is mandatory and experience working with other agencies is desired.

The NRO Cadre is collecting resumes for consideration against current and future opportunities for senior level (GGS-14 and GGS-15), General Engineers, occupational series 0801. 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 April 16, 2026 to April 23, 2026. Resumes must be submitted by 11:59 PM EST on April 23, 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
As the Chief Engineer you will be responsible for the following duties:

Exercises supervisory personnel management responsibilities. Directs, coordinates, and oversees work through subordinate supervisors.
Supervises two or more assigned functional units through one or more levels of subordinate supervisors. Such positions may function as a PM with delegate authority to make both organization and work assignment changes to achieve the most efficient and economical organization structure possible.
Solves systemic management problems of major significance through staff