Acquisition Program Management Specialist

Air Force STEM$90K — $139K *
Aerospace & Defense
Less than 5 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • 1 year of specialized experience at GS-12 or equivalent.
  • Familiarity with the USAF nuclear enterprise.
  • Understanding of DOD 5000 series acquisition policy.
  • Knowledge of system acquisition laws and DoD program management practices.
  • Ability to communicate technical information effectively in writing and speech.
  • Proven ability to lead and manage multi-disciplinary teams.
  • Capability to maintain relationships with various stakeholders.

Responsibilities

  • Develop and implement management strategies for nuclear facility projects.
  • Plan, manage, and execute acquisition projects within established baselines.
  • Advise leadership on complex issues and recommend solutions.
  • Monitor contractor performance throughout development and production phases.
  • Analyze productivity issues and propose program management solutions.
  • Direct activities of various specialists in acquisition processes.
  • Negotiate resolutions for critical issues and advocate for proposals.

Benefits

  • Access to skill development through the Acquisition Professional Development Program (APDP).
  • Potential for flexible work hours including overtime and comp time.
  • Eligibility for a Top-Secret/SCI security clearance.
  • Opportunity to work on significant defense projects.
  • Participation in a supportive and mission-driven team environment.
Full Job Description
OPEN: 17 Jun 2026

CLOSES: 10 July 2026

This position is a NH-1101-03 which has a typical 2026 salary range of $90,479.-$139,871 (Including locality).

**IMPORTANT**
• AFNWC is requiring a 2-page resume format for our job announcements. Please access this link to learn more about what to include in your resume: https://help.usajobs.gov/faq/application/documents/resume/what-to-include
• If you submit a resume that is more than 2 pages, you may receive an error message. Please submit no more than a 2-page resume to be considered.
• Provide all academic degrees, professional military education and any other professional certifications on your 2-page resume.
• Candidates may be asked to provide three professional references upon request.

Air Force Nuclear Weapons Center (AFNWC) is currently seeking a full-time Acquisition Program Management Specialist ([redacted]M) for the Weapons Generation Facilities (WGF) Program Office in the Air Force Nuclear Weapons Center (AFNWC), Program Management and Integration Directorate (PI), Kirtland AFB, NM.

The primary purpose of this position is to serve as an Acquisition Program Manager in the AFNWC/PIM Division responsible for acquiring over $2B of new nuclear Weapons Generation Facilities (WGF) to replace the Air Force's aging nuclear weapons storage and maintenance areas.

Desired Requirements:
• Applicants must have at least one (1) year of specialized experience at the next lower grade of GS-12, or equivalent in other pay systems.
• Experience with the USAF nuclear enterprise
• Working knowledge of DOD 5000 series acquisition policy
• Knowledge of laws, principles, policies, and practices of systems acquisition and DoD program management.
• Knowledge of business, industrial management, contracting procedures, technical concepts, and production practices to evaluate contractor proposals and activities.
• Knowledge of missions, roles, functions, organizational structures, and operation of the DoD, Air Force, and other entities that govern, interface with, and/or influence the acquisition process.
• Ability to communicate both orally and in writing, clearly, concisely, and with technical accuracy.
• Ability to establish and maintain good relationships with individuals and groups.
• Ability to lead teams and plan, organize, manage and brief on critical aspects of research, development, production/construction, and support of subsystems or equipment, and integrate, analyze, and manage a variety of acquisition functions and personnel.

DUTIES:
• Responsible for proactively developing, establishing, implementing, controlling and briefing contractual, financial, and technical aspects of the WGF MILCON program
• Plan and execute the management and acquisition strategies for assigned projects/programs within cost, schedule, performance and within nuclear facilities certification baselines
• Support leadership to achieve AFNWC and Directorate goals and objectives; Identify and resolve highly complex problems crossing organizational boundaries; advise and brief leadership of significant actions and/or risks, and recommend solutions; support leadership in establishing effective communication with stakeholders
• Provide input into source selection and contractor monitoring of acquisition phases from development through production and deployment
• Analyze interrelated issues of effectiveness, efficiency, and productivity; develops recommendations to solve problems; and applies program management principles to guide program accomplishment through the various phases of the acquisition cycle
• Plan, organize, direct, and coordinate activities of functional specialists including contracting, engineering, security, nuclear certification, construction, program control, risk management, configuration/data management and logistics
• Ensure system requirements are formalized into appropriate specifications for execution
• Negotiate and resolve controversial issues, advocate proposals and recommendations, and report on progress in resolving critical issues.
• Other duties as assigned

REQUIREMENTS FOR THE POSITION:
• United States Citizenship
• Must be able to obtain and maintain a Top-Secret/SCI security clearance.
• Employee may be required to work extended or other than normal duty hours, including evenings and weekends, and may be subject to recall. Overtime/comp time/credit hours may be required.
• This position is covered by the Acquisition Professional Development Program (APDP) and designated for ACAT III program managers. Employee must be a member of the Acquisition Corps at the time of appointment and execute a written agreement to remain in Federal Service in this position for at least three years.
• Employee must meet, or be capable of meeting, Defense Acquisition Work Improvement Act (DAWIA) requirements applicable to the duties of the position. ACAT III PM positions require Practitioner level of Certification in Program Management (PM).
• Work will occasionally require travel away from the normal duty station on military or commercial aircraft.
• This position meets the executive exemption criteria for the Fair Labor Standards Act (5 CFR 551.205).
• This is a drug testing designated position. The incumbent is subject to pre-employment drug testing as a condition of employment, and participation in random drug testing.

HOW TO APPLY:

When applying at the link below, please use Microsoft Edge or Google Chrome. Click the apply button to complete an application and upload resume (PDF or Word Doc) and/or additional documents (Transcripts, certifications, Vet Docs (DD214), SF-50).

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