The United States Space Force (USSF) Space Systems Command (SSC) System Delta 88, Capability Acquisition Narrowband Satellite Communications (SYD 88/NX) at Naval Base Point Loma in San Diego, California is searching for a Chief Engineer (NH-0801-04, GS 14/15 equivalent).

Description:
The United States Space Force (USSF), Space Systems Command (SSC), is announcing two vacancies within the Capability Acquisition Narrowband Satellite Communications (SYD 88/NX) program office. This office is tasked with the Mobile User Objective System (MUOS) Service Life Extension (SLE) program, a critical initiative to procure two additional satellites and modernize the ground infrastructure, extending the constellation's life to 2035 and the ground segments to 2040. All candidates will be considered for both of the following roles.

The Chief Engineer for Narrowband SATCOM will serve as the primary technical authority, providing engineering leadership and managing the system's overall performance, requirements, and testing. Key responsibilities include overseeing configuration control, managing program protection and cybersecurity efforts to maintain operational authorities, and developing technical documentation for contracts. This individual will also act as a subject matter expert, guiding the development of roadmaps and architectures for next-generation narrowband SATCOM systems.

The Cross Segment Integration/CCB Lead for Narrowband SATCOM will be responsible for the seamless end-to-end integration of the MUOS system, ensuring the new SLE satellites and ground systems are fully compatible with the existing infrastructure. This role involves leading the Configuration Control Board (CCB) to manage system changes, overseeing integration, verification, and validation (IV&V) activities, and managing the interfaces between all system segments. The lead will also identify and mitigate integration-related risks and prepare technical reports for leadership.

The ideal candidate will possess extensive experience managing complex Systems Engineering projects within DoD or Federal Government acquisitions, coupled with Subject Matter Expertise in systems engineering, satellite communications, systems integration, and developmental testing. This role requires a proven ability to plan and structure work statements and contract deliverables effectively, along with exceptional written and oral communication skills necessary for engaging with high-ranking military and civilian personnel. Beyond technical proficiencies, we are seeking an independent executor, a strong collaborator, someone with meticulous attention to detail, a clear and concise communicator, and a proactive team builder.

Key Skills and Abilities:
1. Knowledge of a wide range of advanced multidisciplinary professional engineering concepts, principles, practices, standards, methods, and techniques to apply experimental theories and new developments to problems not susceptible to treatment by accepted methods, and to plan and execute specialized programs of marked difficulty, responsibility, and significance.
2. Knowledge of the mission, roles, functions, organizational structure, and operation of the DoD, Air Force, and organizations that govern, interface with, and/or influence systems acquisition, development, and/or sustainment, and knowledge of planning, programming, and budgeting cycles, financial systems, and restrictions on expenditure of funds.
3. Knowledge of and skill in evaluating state-of-the-art and advancements in theory, application, technology, and policy affecting systems being developed, and in planning, organizing, and directing the functions and staff in critical aspects of development, production, and/or support of systems, subsystems, or equipment.
4. Knowledge of safety, security, personnel management, and EEO regulations, practices, and procedures.
5. Skill in establishing and maintaining effective relationships, building consensus and coalitions, negotiating, and resolving conflicts with a variety of individuals and organizations as well as communicating effectively, both orally and in writing.
6. Ability to plan, organize, and direct the functions of an organization, and mentor, motivate, and appraise the staff through subordinate personnel as well as analyze, plan, and adjust work operations of one or more organizational segments to meet program requirements and objectives within available resources.

Conditions of employment

• Must be a U.S Citizen.
• Employee must be able to obtain and maintain a Top-Secret security clearance.
• This position has been designated for drug testing. Incumbent is subject to random urinalysis testing as a condition of employment.
• A professional engineering degree at the bachelor’s level from an ABET accredited institution is highly desired.
• Work may occasionally require travel away from the normal duty station on military or commercial aircraft.
• This is a Critical Acquisition Position. Unless specially waived by the appropriate official, the following are statutory mandated requirements:
• Selectee must execute, as a condition of appointment, a written agreement to remain in Federal service in the position for at least three years.
• This critical acquisition position requires certification in the acquisition functional area of Engineering and Technical Management.
• This position also requires the employee to engage in acquisition continuous learning activities achieving 80 Continuous Learning Points every 24 months.
• The employee is required to submit an initial and annual SF-450 (Financial Disclosure) Employee must within 30-days of assuming this position and by 31 October annually thereafter, file an OGE-450, “Confidential Financial Disclosure Report.
• Eligible for situational telework only, including Emergency and OPM prescribed “Unscheduled Telework”.
• Subject to Temporary Duty Assignment (TDY): Approximately 15 days per year.
• PCS is authorized. Incentive is not authorized.
• This position will close after 5 business days or 75 applications, whichever comes first.

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