Clarification from the agency

Open to current and former Federal employees with competitive or excepted status; and all U.S. Citizens. Former members of the Peace Corps may be considered for ODNI employment only if five full years have elapsed since separation from the Peace Corps.

IARPA is an activity within OESET. IARPA invests in high-risk/high-payoff research programs that have the potential to provide our nation with an overwhelming intelligence advantage over future adversaries. IARPA addresses cross-agency challenges, leverages expertise from across the IC, and transitions advanced capabilities to IC partners. The IARPA organization is built around supporting the pioneering work of its Program Managers (PMs), and every IARPA success has come from an idea that was seeded by its PMs in response to an Intelligence Community (IC) challenge.

IARPA's PMs are extraordinary leaders who conceive, plan, and oversee the technical execution of high-risk/high-payoff research and development efforts that enable the United States to have an intelligence advantage over its adversaries. IARPA's PMs are experts in their fields of research who bring imagination and dedication to challenges facing the IC. The work of IARPA's PMs directly and substantially impacts the IC's future capabilities and, more broadly, the field of science. This includes a road spectrum of cutting-edge technology that includes: advanced sensing and processing (including quantum computing); applied artificial intelligence; microelectronics; commercial space; open source intelligence; biotechnology, and other emerging technology areas. IARPA's PMs develop new research concepts, then oversee the research from start to finish. They chart the course for the research program, which includes:

Engaging with IC transition partners to understand challenges and problem sets

Defining and developing a research program with goals and objectives that address these IC problems

Developing rigorous test and evaluation criteria

Specifying short- and long-term milestones to gauge the health of the research and its continued alignment with mission goals and priorities

Managing all technical aspects of the program, and working with IARPA's business equities to manage the procurement and financial aspects IARPA's R&D PMs serve for limited terms of 3-5 years and stand up and oversee multiple research efforts.

Application Process: Candidates must demonstrate that they are eminent technical experts with cutting-edge skills and world-class knowledge who can build, lead, and transition technology that is of critical importance to the IC. As part of their application, candidates must pitch a new program idea by answering the following Heilmeier questions (not to exceed 2 pages):

What are you trying to do?

How does this get done at present? Who does it? What are the limitations of present approaches?

What is new about your approach? Why do you think you can be successful at this time?

If you succeed, what difference will it make?

How long will it take? How much will it cost? What are your mid-term and final exams?

Candidates will be evaluated and selected based on the viability of their pitch of a new program concept, their qualifications to run a research program, and their ability to secure and maintain an active security clearance. Multiple candidates can be selected.

Major Duties and Responsibilities:

Create, develop and implement programs ensuring high-risk, high-payoff research, as well as technical and programmatic integrity, by: providing answers to the Heilmeier questions; establishing a sound process for selection of performers; demonstrating the quality and significance of research outputs; using robust independent assessments to evaluate programs; and fully documenting all results.

Spearhead dynamic communication and outreach activities articulating program vision and plan to IC partners.

Oversee the implementation and development of protection plans for programs to uphold the highest standards for security classification guides for all programs; educating performers/leadership on all security considerations; and ensuring best security practices are utilized at all times.

Establish advocacy initiatives to remain cognizant and accountable for compliance with all legal strictures and governing policies, executive orders, and laws relating to issues such as civil liberties protection, human studies, and export control.

Maintain sound tracking and monitoring of all budget-related program aspects.

Ensure program management for all phases of a program, to include research, testing, integration, demonstration, and evaluation of the capabilities developed during the program.

Ensure background papers, presentations, and related program materials are sent to senior leaders.

Conditions of employment

• Must be a U.S. Citizen residing in the United States
• Appointment is subject to a suitability or fitness determination, as determined by a completed background investigation.
• Must be able to obtain and maintain a Top Secret security clearance based on an SBI with eligibility for sensitive compartmented information (SCI)
• Male applicants born after December 31, 1959, must complete a Pre-Employment Certification Statement for Selective Service Registration.
• A two-year trial period is required for all new permanent appointments to the ODNI.

Qualifications

FREE RESPONSE ESSAY QUESTIONS

All applicants must answer the following four short, free response essay questions. The responses cannot exceed 200 words per question. By submitting your responses to the following questions, you certify that you are using your own words and did not use a consultant or AI (such as a large language model [LLM]).

1. How has your commitment to the Constitution and the founding principles of the United States inspired you to pursue this role within the Federal government? Provide a concrete example from professional, academic, or personal experience.
2. In this role, how would you use your skills and experience to improve government efficiency and effectiveness? Provide specific examples where you improved processes, reduced costs, or improved outcomes.
3. How would you help advance the President's Executive Orders and policy priorities in this role? Identify one or two relevant Executive Orders or policy initiatives that are significant to you and explain how you would help implement them if hired.
4. How has a strong work ethic contributed to your professional, academic or personal achievements? Provide one or two specific examples and explain how those qualities would enable you to serve effectively in this position.

Minimum Qualifications Required:

Advanced degree in a science, engineering, or a technical field required.

Expert technical expertise in one or more technical disciplines relevant to the IC.

Proven awareness of Federal acquisition laws, regulations, policy and procedures as they apply to advanced research, development and acquisition.

Proven programmatic expertise demonstrated by an ability to articulate and execute a program plan with clear and measurable milestones and metrics.

Extensive knowledge of the IC, mission, objectives, policies, R&D needs, authorities; especially advanced R&D efforts.

Master knowledge of Science & Technology issues within the IC, other governmental agencies, and industry.

Superior oral and written communication skills and demonstrated ability to conduct independent research, filter and synthesize data, and produce clear, logical, and concise products.

Superior interpersonal skills; demonstrated by building and fostering relationships and networks within the IC.

Desired Requirements:

Experience in acquisitions and budget

How you will be evaluated

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

You must submit the supporting documents listed under the required documents section of this announcement. We will review your resume and supporting documentation to ensure you meet the basic qualification requirements. If you are among the best qualified, you may be referred to the hiring manager for consideration and may be called for an interview.

A complete application package must include:

a. RESUME: Resumes must be no longer than two (2) pages in length. Resumes longer than two (2) pages will be removed from consideration. Applicants are encouraged to carefully review the vacancy announcement, particularly the MDRs, and construct their resume to highlight their most significant experience and qualifications relevant to this job opportunity. You must ensure the resume contains all of the required information and you organize it so we can associate the following information for each experience/position: job title; name of employer; beginning and ending dates of employment (month/day/year format), and hours worked per week. We will assume full-time unless otherwise stated. Additionally, include a detailed description of job duties, accomplishments, related skills and responsibilities, to include any supervisory/managerial responsibilities and number of staff supervised (if applicable), and series and grade or equivalent (if a federal position).

b. ESSAY QUESTION RESPONSES: The responses cannot exceed 200 words per question (please see questions in the Requirements section above). By submitting your responses to these questions, you certify that you are using your own words and did not use a consultant or AI (such as a large language model [LLM]).

c. COVER LETTER: Applicants must submit a professional narrative as a supplement to the resume to elaborate on their qualifications and previous work performed.

d. CURRENT SF-50: Federal Government employees must provide your official most recent SF-50 (i.e., dated within the last 52 weeks from the closing date of this vacancy announcement). An SF-50, Notification of Personnel Action, is used to verify current federal status, position, title, grade, and organization of record. If your SF-50(s) does not provide the information needed to make a final determination for qualification, you will be found ineligible for the position.

e. POSITION NUMBER: Reference the announcement number in the subject line on each document submitted.

Failure to submit any of the above-mentioned required documents may result in loss of consideration due to an incomplete application package. It is your responsibility to ensure all required documents have been submitted.

Next steps