Space Reconnaissance Engineer​/Technical Analyst

National Reconnaissance Office (NRO) Job Posting

For over 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.

The NRO Cadre is collecting resumes for consideration against current and future opportunities for full performance level (GG 11-13) General Engineers and Technical Analyst, occupational series 801/1501/1301. The current hiring focus is for individuals with the following degrees and experience:

• Aerospace or Astronautical Engineering
• Applied Mathematics
• Applied Physics
• Data or Computer Science (including AI/ML)
• Electrical Engineering
• Industrial or Systems Engineering (including operations research)
• Mechanical Engineering
• Software Engineering (including AGILE development)

The work involves planning, evaluating, and executing programs, which impact national security; and/or extending the existing parameters of technical and scientific knowledge and its application and practice. Oversight responsibilities of the position may require NRO Contracting Officer Technical Representative (COTR) qualification within NRO policy-defined timelines. This is a full-time position. Your resume may be considered for other positions which your skills and experience may be a good match.

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 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 does not qualify for the appointment of a Reemployed Federal Annuitant IAW DoWI 1400.25 Volume 300.

What You Will Be Doing:

• Plan, develop, advise, and implement crucial projects and segments of NRO programs
• Prepare and evaluate plans and designs for engineering projects; researches technology trends and patterns; conducts technical analysis; evaluates the value and applicability of new technology; and provides engineering expertise and advice on program planning over a broad range of engineering, architecture or scientific programs
• Manage technical issues and risks to balance cost, schedule and technical performance
• Investigate or develop new design, testing, operational methods and criteria, procedures and/or instructions for engineering, architecture or scientific problems; proposes new technical policies and practices
• Provide recommendations on engineering, architecture or scientific problems, programs, and functions to a broad customer base
• Develop and modify analytic models and methods to meet the requirements of cost, performance, and effectiveness studies and variance analyses
• Gather historical cost, performance, and effectiveness data and establishes relationships between system characteristics and design criteria
• Synthesize science and technology capabilities to create new concepts and prototypes with little supervisory oversight
• Evaluate research and development test results with limited supervisory oversight
• Interact with NRO user community regarding system requirements and/or operational objectives
• Assess effectiveness of operationally fielded capabilities

What You Need:

• The General Engineer/Technical Analyst position requires minimum education of a Bachelor's degree. STEM degrees (e.g., engineering technology, physics, chemistry, computer science, mathematics,) are preferred, however a Bachelor's degree, with a combination of technical coursework, licenses, training, and applicable work experience may be considered.
• Minimum of 3 years of relative experience outlined in this section
• Technical Analyst/Interdisciplinary Technical positions require a combination of education (certifications included) and experience. If qualifying on experience, applicants must have directly applicable experience that demonstrates the possession of the knowledge, skills, abilities, and competencies necessary for immediate success in the position.

Qualifying experience may have been acquired in any public or private sector job, but will clearly demonstrate past experience in the application of the particular competencies/knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to successfully perform and is typically in or directly related to the duties of the position as described above. Experience must be reflected in your resume. Applicants submitting a resume that exceeds the two-page limit per OPM Memorandum, "Merit Hiring Plan," dated May 29, 2025, will not be eligible for consideration.

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