Acquisition Program Engineer, SBST

Space Systems Command

$100K — $130K *
Aerospace & Defense
Less than 5 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • ABET-accredited engineering bachelor's degree required; advanced degree preferred.
  • 5-7 years of experience in multidisciplinary engineering (aerospace, electronics, systems).
  • Strong background in full lifecycle management of advanced sensor systems, specifically AMTI.
  • Familiarity with program management, strategic planning, and risk mitigation practices.
  • Ability to obtain a Top Secret/SCI security clearance.

Responsibilities

  • Manage the full lifecycle of advanced aerospace and electronic sensor programs.
  • Lead projects from concept to completion, focusing on AMTI sensing architectures.
  • Define system requirements and solve complex integration challenges.
  • Collaborate with key stakeholders to ensure resilience and reliability of space systems.
  • Translate complex technical requirements for senior leadership.
  • Assess technical needs and resolve integration issues for AMTI capabilities.
  • Organize work, set priorities, and coordinate with other organizations for project success.

Benefits

  • Access to a comprehensive benefits package as a federal employee.
  • Eligibility for situational telework arrangements.
  • Opportunity for relocation funding if applicable.
  • Participation in the Acquisition Professional Development Program (APDP).
  • Disabled veteran leave available for eligible veterans.
Full Job Description
Summary

Duties

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The United States Space Force (USSF) in Chantilly, VA is searching for an Acquisition Program Engineer, SBST at JB Anacostia-Bolling (NH-0801-03, GS-12/13 Equivalent).

Description:

Bring your forward-thinking engineering to the U.S. Space Force to develop and sustain critical, cutting-edge space capabilities. In this dynamic role, you will manage the full lifecycle of advanced aerospace and electronic sensor programs, with a heavy focus on AMTI sensing architectures. Your daily mission will involve leading projects from concept to completion, defining system requirements, solving complex integration challenges, and collaborating with key stakeholders to ensure our nation's space systems remain resilient, reliable, and mission-ready. If you are ready to apply your technical expertise to a mission of national importance, this is the job for you!

Ideal Candidate:

The ideal candidate is an innovative self-starter and a U.S. citizen eligible for a Top Secret/SCI clearance, holding an ABET-accredited engineering bachelor's degree (advanced degree preferred). They possess a strong background in multidisciplinary engineering (aerospace, electronics, systems) and the full lifecycle management of advanced sensor systems, specifically AMTI (Airborne/Space Moving Target Indication). They excel in program management, strategic planning, and risk mitigation, with the leadership and communication skills necessary to translate complex technical requirements for senior leadership and collaborate seamlessly across diverse teams.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

1. Knowledge of processes and procedures related to program management and strategic planning activities needed to execute engineering projects and studies within established financial and time constraints, specifically regarding advanced sensor acquisition.

2. Ability to encourage new ideas and innovations; manage human, financial, and information resources strategically and build coalitions to achieve common goals in a complex system-of-systems environment.

3. Skill in working with customers to assess technical needs, provide assistance, resolve complex integration problems, and satisfy operational expectations for AMTI and targeting capabilities.

4. Ability to persuade others to accept technical recommendations, work toward agreement, and negotiate mutually acceptable solutions among diverse engineering and program stakeholders.

5. Ability to develop and maintain effective relationships and to communicate highly technical engineering concepts effectively, both orally and in writing, to senior leadership and cross-functional teams.

6. Ability to organize work, set priorities, and determine resource requirements; determine goals and strategies to achieve them; coordinate with other organizations; monitor progress, and evaluate outcomes.

7. Ability to identify complex technical problems and use sound judgment and engineering decisions to generate and evaluate alternatives and make recommendations.

Requirements

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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.
  • This position is designated as a Testing Designated Position (TDP) under the Air Force Civilian Drug Testing Program.
  • 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.
  • 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.


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.

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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.

Benefits

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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.

Review our 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.

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