Chief Operations Officer Job in Washington, DC

Vacancy No. CHIPS-57-2026-0002 Department National Institute of Standards and Technology
Salary $169,279.00 to $197,200.00 Grade 5 to 5
Perm/Temp Permanent FT/PT Full-time
Open Date 9/8/2026 Close Date 10/7/2026
Job Link Apply Online Who may apply Public
Locations:
Washington, DC


Chief Operations Officer

Department of Commerce
National Institute of Standards and Technology

Summary

The CHIPS Program Office (CPO) at NIST is seeking a Chief Operations Officer to join its leadership and lead enterprise operations. The COO provides strategic leadership across administrative, financial, personnel, and business management functions and serves as a key link to NIST, DOC, and intergovernmental partners. This position may be filled at either ZA-0340-V ($169,279-$197,200 annually) or CHIPS 25 AD-0301-00 ($220,000-$292,300 annually), based on qualifications and organizational needs.

This job is open to

The public

U.S. Citizens, Nationals or those who owe allegiance to the U.S.

Clarification from the agency

Applications will be accepted from all U.S. Citizens.

Duties

  • Leads the development, integration, and execution of operational strategies, policies, processes, and management systems that ensure effective administration of CPO programs and operations.
  • Directs enterprise functions including financial management, budget planning and execution, human capital, information technology, facilities, administrative operations, and business management to ensure alignment with organizational priorities and mission objectives.
  • Serves as a principal advisor to the Deputy Director and Director on operational strategy, organizational effectiveness, and resource management.
  • Coordinates with the CHIPS R&D Office, NIST, the Department of Commerce, and other Federal stakeholders to strengthen operational collaboration, ensure effective governance, and enable efficient execution of CHIPS programs.
  • Serves as a member of the CPO executive leadership team, providing strategic leadership and executive direction for enterprise operations supporting implementation of the CHIPS and Science Act.
  • Leads the development, integration, and execution of operational strategies, policies, processes, and management systems that ensure effective administration of CHIPS programs.

Requirements

Conditions of employment

  • U.S. citizenship
  • Males born after 12-31-59 must be registered for Selective Service
  • Suitable for Federal employment
  • This position requires the filing of an OGE-278 Public Financial Disclosure Report within 30 days of onboarding and annually thereafter
  • Designated and/or random drug testing required
  • Ethics pre-clearance
  • You must be able to successfully pass a background investigation. Security clearance required following onboarding. TS/SCI security clearance required following onboarding.

Qualifications

Extensive experience in executive and government operations, enterprise operations, business management, strategic planning, financial management, budget development and execution, human capital management, administrative operations, information technology management, organizational leadership, program management, or related fields

Education

The incumbent must possess, at a minimum, a Bachelor's or other Advanced Degree in a scientific, engineering, or recognized or traditional professional field, or significant experience in a scientific, engineering, or recognized or traditional professional field.

Transcripts are not required in the application package. An official transcript will be required prior to a final offer of employment.

Additional information

      • This position will be in the excepted service as a non-competitive appointment under the CHIPS Act authority.
      • This is a term position; the term is negotiable up to 4 years.
      • This position is covered under the Administratively Determined pay scale.
      • This position does not confer non-competitive conversion to the competitive service.
      • Acceptance of an excepted service appointment from applicants in the competitive service will require a written statement of understanding when voluntarily leaving the competitive service.
      • A trial period may be required.
      • This position requires the passing of a drug test
      • This position requires the filing of an OGE-278 Public Financial Disclosure Report within 30 days of onboarding and annually thereafter
All applicants will be forwarded to the selecting official for consideration. This public notice is a mechanism to collect applications. You will not receive notification of referral, selection/non-selection. Once a selection has been made, it will be submitted separately from this announcement and then this announcement will be cancelled. Under this CHIPS hiring authority, applicants are not rated and ranked and veteran's preference does not apply.

NIST strives to build a flexible and encouraging work environment to bring out the best in our employees. To help our employees balance responsibilities at home and at work, NIST offers a variety of work-life flexibilities such as:
  • Telework
  • Flexible work schedules
  • Paid parental leave
  • Paid vacation
  • Sick leave
  • Family-friendly leave
  • Child and elder-care resources
  • On-site childcare center
  • Lactation spaces
  • Wellness programs
  • Fitness center
  • Employee assistance programs

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.

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.

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.

How you will be evaluated

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

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

We will review your resume, optional cover letter and supporting documents to assess your qualifications for this position.

All applicants will be forwarded to the selecting official for consideration. This public notice is a mechanism to collect applications. You will not receive notification of referral, selection/non-selection. Once a selection has been made, it will be submitted separately from this announcement and then this announcement will be cancelled.

Under this CHIPS hiring authority, applicants are not rated and ranked and veteran's preference does not apply.

Required Documents

Resume or CV

If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:

Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.

How to Apply

Complete an initial questionnaire provided through the application link.

Submit your resume or CV through the application link provided for this position.

Agency contact information

CHIPS Hiring
Phone
3019752000
Email
hiring@chips.gov
Address
CHIPS Program Office
1401 Constitution Ave
Washington, DC 20230
US

Next steps

A hiring coordinator will contact you if NIST determines that you may be a potential fit for the position. Following an informational interview, additional interviews with the lead Hiring Manager will be conducted with highly qualified candidates.

All applicants will be forwarded to the selecting official for consideration. This public notice is a mechanism to collect applications. You will not receive notification of referral, selection/non-selection. Once a selection has been made, it will be submitted separately from this announcement and then this announcement will be cancelled.

National Institute of Standards and Technology

Come make history with the CPO! The CHIPS Program Office (CPO) at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), anticipates a need for a Chief Operations Officer (COO) to join our dynamic, diverse, and talented leadership team. Learn more about CPO here www.nist.gov/chips. In addition to managing these functional responsibilities, the COO will serve as a member of and key advisor to the CHIPS leadership team. This includes advising the Deputy Director and Director on a broad range of matters. The COO will also serve as a key interface with other offices within the Commerce Department and the Federal government. Individuals with extensive experience in executive and enterprise operations, business management, strategic planning, financial management, budget development and execution, human capital management, administrative operations, organizational leadership, program management, or related fields are encouraged to apply by emailing a resume to hiring@chips.gov. This position may be filled at either the ZA-0340-V level ($169,279-$197,200 annually) or the CHIPS 25 AD-0301-00 level ($220,000-$292,300 annually), depending on the selectee's qualifications and the organization's needs. U.S. citizenship is required. The position is in Washington, DC. This is a term position; the term is negotiable up to 4 years. The Department of Commerce is an Equal Opportunity Employer. This position will be filled as a non-competitive appointment under CHIPS Act hiring authority.

Agency contact information

CHIPS Hiring
Phone
3019752000
Email
hiring@chips.gov
Address
CHIPS Program Office
1401 Constitution Ave
Washington, DC 20230
US