Technical Director

The United States Space Force (USSF) Space Training and Readiness Command (STARCOM) 11th Sustainment Squadron (11 STS) at Schriever Space Force Base, Colorado is searching for a Technical Director (NH-0801-04, GS 14/15 equivalent).

Description:
In this role, you will join a dynamic leadership team delivering current and emerging warfighter readiness capabilities to enable high-end Guardian testing and training, ensuring every space warfighter is ready to defeat the adversary from competition through conflict. As the squadron's lead engineer and premier technical authority, you will apply advanced concepts, principles, and practices to manage a comprehensive range of engineering activities, providing expert scientific advice to ensure leadership incorporates viable technical solutions within their cost, schedule, and performance trade spaces. You will hold direct responsibility for securing and sustaining the critical infrastructure that enables advanced space training, leading the high-stakes effort to obtain and maintain the Authority to Operate (ATO) for critical operational test and training systems. By collaborating directly with operators, program managers, and authorizing officials, you will ensure these vital systems remain both combat-effective and cyber-resilient, seizing a unique opportunity to shape the future of space warfare training by embedding robust cybersecurity into the very foundation of the Space Force's tactical development.

The ideal candidate is a highly motivated and experienced systems engineer who possesses a deep technical background in Department of War systems engineering, technology integration, and the Risk Management Framework (RMF) to secure operational networks and information assurance systems. They exhibit a proven ability to lead technical teams, manage complex projects, and seamlessly translate operational requirements into secure, sustainable, and mission-ready technical solutions. With a thorough understanding of acquisition regulations, cyber-security policies, and sustainment engineering, this professional demonstrates exceptional interpersonal, communication, and presentation skills necessary to brief senior leadership and collaborate across diverse technical environments. Backed by a relevant engineering degree and advanced cybersecurity professional certifications, they bring the strategic vision and technical expertise required to safeguard and sustain the critical assets of the 11th Sustainment Squadron.

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, Space Force, 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, clearly, concisely and with technical accuracy both orally and in writing with technical accuracy. Use computers and a variety of software programs and databases, gather and analyze a variety of program information, make sound judgments concerning program progress, and effectively communicate recommendations orally and in writing to higher organizational management and contractors.

Conditions of employment

• Must be a U.S. Citizen.
• Must be able to obtain and maintain a Top-Secret security clearance.
• May be required to handle and safeguard sensitive and/or classified information in accordance with regulations to reduce potential compromise.
• 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.
• May be required to work overtime on an unscheduled or emergency basis.
• May be required to travel by military or commercial aircraft in the performance of TDY assignments.
• 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 must within 30-days of assuming this position and annually thereafter, file an OGE-450, “Confidential Financial Disclosure Report.” Employee is required to attend annual ethics and procurement integrity training.
• PCS will be paid IAW JTR and AF Regulations. If receiving an authorized PCS, you may be subject to completing/signing a CONUS agreement. More information on PCS requirements, may be found at: https://afciviliancareers.com/regulatory/.
• Depending on the type of position (competitive/excepted) you are selected for, you will be required to serve a 1-year probationary period OR 2-year trial period.
• Upon completion of your probationary/trial period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.
• This is a level 2 Critical Acquisition Position (CAP).
• Eligible for situational telework only, including Emergency and OPM prescribed "Unscheduled Telework".
• Subject to Temporary Duty Assignment (TDY): Approximately 30 days per year.
• Incentives are 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