Technical Director, S3Q

The United States Space Force (USSF) Deputy Chief of Space Operations for Operations/ Studies Group (S3Q) at The Pentagon is searching for a Technical Director (NH-0801-04, GS 14/15 equivalent).

Description:
As the inaugural Technical Director of the USSF S3 Studies Group, the position will provide hands-on technical guidance to multiple internal study teams while coordinating with technical directors, lead engineers, program offices, and subject-matter experts across a broad range of USSF, DAF, and OSW operational and acquisition organizations. The role spans tactical through strategic planning and requires developing trusted relationships across organizational levels, including regular engagement with senior leaders at the three- and four-star levels. An employee at this level is an authority within their functional area; heads of branches or divisions; or key program administrators. Conducts or directs activities or assists higher levels on challenging and innovative program development with only general guidance on policy, resources and planning; develops solutions to highly complex problems requiring various disciplines; responsible for fulfilling program objectives. Results are authoritative and impact programs or the well-being of substantial numbers of people. Position involves 51% or more of time in direct support of acquisition positions.

Ideal Candidate:
The ideal candidate is a seasoned professional with significant experience in Department of War (DoW) operations, planning, acquisitions, budgeting, or staff roles, with a strong preference for a background in space operations. This individual must be highly well-versed in the DoW Planning, Programming, Budgeting, and Execution (PPBE) process, bringing proven expertise in critically analyzing operational risk, capability development, long-range planning, forecasting, and overall force readiness. As a capable leader and manager equipped to establish office processes, supervise teams, and direct complex tasks, the candidate must possess highly effective oral and written communication skills essential for presenting technical budget and program data to senior-level leadership. Furthermore, the preferred candidate will hold a master's degree and demonstrate strong technical proficiency, including comfort with database tools, software applications, and a working knowledge of planning and analysis programs.

Key Skills and Abilities:
1. Knowledge of advanced concepts, principles, and practices of professional engineering across multiple disciplines such as aerospace, electrical, mechanical, and systems engineering, sufficient to serve as a technical authority in a broad area of space systems and strategic studies.
2. Knowledge of space domain operations, force design principles, advanced weapons systems, and associated Tactics, Techniques, and Procedures (TTPs) to conduct in-depth analyses and strategic assessments of current and future capabilities.
3. Knowledge of strategic studies methodologies, threat analysis, and the Department of War (DoW) requirements and acquisition processes to effectively plan and lead studies that inform senior leader decisions.
4. Skill in conducting complex analytical, investigative, and technical studies to evaluate the feasibility and effectiveness of novel weapons systems and operational concepts.
5. Skill in written and oral communication to prepare and present comprehensive technical reports, briefings, and recommendations to a variety of audiences, including senior military and civilian leadership.
6. Ability to work independently as the sole engineering expert for an organization, providing authoritative technical guidance and consultation on a wide range of complex and critical issues.
7. Ability to conceive, develop, and assess innovative concepts, theories, and engineering solutions for problems not susceptible to treatment by accepted methods.
8. Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with a diverse group of high-level officials, program managers, and technical experts from within the DoW, other government agencies, and private industry.

Conditions of employment

• U.S. Citizenship Required
• Must be able to obtain and maintain a Top-Secret security clearance with SCI access.
• Employee is required to obtain and maintain a DOW-approved access to additional programs as a condition of employment.
• The incumbent must possess detailed and accurate technical knowledge of all facets of SAP and SCI management to include document control and distribution, highly desired.
• This position is a designated national security position.
• 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.
• 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.
• Eligible for situational telework only, including Emergency and OPM prescribed “Unscheduled Telework”.
• May be required to work overtime on an unscheduled or emergency basis.
• Subject to Temporary Duty Assignment (TDY): Approximately 30 days per year.
• PCS/ Incentive is 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