Chief Engineer, Ground Data Networks Division, SWAC

The United States Space Force (USSF) in Chantilly, VA is searching for a Chief Engineer, Ground Data Networks Division, SWAC (NH-0801-03, GS-12/13 Equivalent).

Description:
Serve at the forefront of space mission innovation as the Chief Engineer for the Ground Data Network Division, where you will shape the future of enterprise data architectures supporting satellite control and command-and-control operations. In this pivotal SWAC role, you will drive the design and delivery of advanced analytic solutions, leveraging cutting-edge tools and methodologies to enhance mission resilience, security, and performance. As the division's technical authority, you will guide system architecture integration efforts-bringing together cloud, processing, and network capabilities into cohesive, interoperable solutions. You will collaborate with national laboratories, contractors, and joint service partners to develop and deliver impactful, mission-aligned capabilities. Leading cross-functional teams, you will champion innovation while ensuring technical excellence across all analytic products. Your expertise will directly inform senior leadership through clear, strategic communication of technical insights and recommendations. This is a unique opportunity to combine visionary leadership with engineering precision to strengthen the U.S. Space Force's ground data network enterprise.


Ideal Candidate:
The ideal candidate is a highly skilled engineering leader with deep, multidisciplinary expertise and a proven ability to apply advanced engineering principles across complex program lifecycles. They bring extensive knowledge of satellite communications, ground networks, data processing systems, and modern cloud-based architectures, combined with strong systems engineering and acquisition experience. This individual excels at managing large-scale technical projects, integrating emerging technologies, and delivering innovative, mission-focused solutions. They are a strategic thinker with the ability to analyze complex challenges, develop effective solutions, and assess impacts across interconnected systems. Exceptional communication and collaboration skills are essential, with the ability to engage effectively with senior leaders, technical teams, and external partners.


Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:
1. Mastery of a wide range of multidisciplinary professional engineering concepts, principles, practices, standards, methods, techniques, materials, and equipment to effectively apply advanced engineering theories, principles, and concepts to project development, execution, and advisory services.
2. Knowledge of communication frequencies and its relation to ground networking, data processing and movement capabilities and applications (front end and back end) to include Satellite Control systems, Operational and Tactical Command and Control systems, and commercial cloud.
3. Expert knowledge of systems engineering practices and procedures as they pertain to sustainment, modification, logistics, and production management principles, concepts, policies, and systems to execute significant projects which represent an important segment of the agency's operating program.
4. Comprehensive knowledge of the principles of planning/program management; of standard acquisition regulations, practices, and procedures; and of engineering disciplines used in support of sustainment, modification, and maintenance programs.
5. Ability to devise and evaluate criteria, parameters, characteristics, and interrelationships for design approaches; to assess the impact of new technology on current systems and processes; and to gather, assemble, and analyze facts, form conclusions, and devise and recommend solutions to problems.
6. Ability to clearly and concisely communicate technical information, both orally and in writing, as well as work in a professional manner with peers, management, contractors, academia, and other agencies.

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): 20 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 is in a designated position that requires consent and thereafter be subject to and successfully complete, an initial, periodic, and random counterintelligence (CI) scope polygraph examination as a condition of employment.
• This position is part of the Acquisition Professional Development Program.

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.

How you will be evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs): Your qualifications will be evaluated on the basis of your level of knowledge, skills, abilities and/or competencies as related to the series and grade of the position being filled. Final qualifications determinations will be assessed based on OPM's General Schedule Qualifications Standards found here:

Interviews: You will be contacted by e-mail and/or telephone if your application is identified as qualifying for a position being filled. An interview may be conducted. If interviewed, you will be asked to address the same knowledge, skills, abilities and/or competencies used to initially qualify your application for the position.

Resume:You must submit a resume that may NOT exceed two pages, and the font size should not be smaller than 10 pts. You will not be considered for this vacancy if your resume exceeds two pages or is illegible/unreadable. Do NOT include photographs, inappropriate material, inappropriate content, nor personal information such as age, gender, religion, social security number, etc., on your resume. If the resume you submit contains such information you will not be considered for this vacancy. Your resume must provide:

1. Personal information - your full name, email and mailing addresses, phone number
2. Education information - the name of the school and the dates you attended
3. Work experience - paid and unpaid work with the following information:
   • Job title
   • Detailed duties and accomplishments
   • Employer's name and address
   • Supervisor's name and phone number
   • Starting and ending dates (If actual dates are not known, provide your best-estimated timeframes.)
   • Hours per week
   • Salary, if applicable
4. Other qualifications - skills, certifications/licenses, honors, awards, special accomplishments, and job-related training courses

College Transcripts (if applicable): Please see the Education section of this announcement for detailed information about transcripts.

Next steps