Data Transport Portfolio Architect

National Reconnaissance Office (NRO); Chantilly (VA); On-site; USD 133,000 - 181,000; Full time

Job summary

The National Reconnaissance Office (NRO) in Chantilly, VA seeks an Enterprise Data Transport Architect to help advance the NRO enterprise by defining data architectures and leading architectural analyses. You will drive investment decisions and shape strategic direction for space, ground, and data domains.

The role requires a bachelor's degree in engineering, strong analytic writing, and demonstrated leadership.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Professional Engineering or related field.
• Strong understanding of intelligence satellite systems.
• Proven critical thinking and analytical writing skills.
• Demonstrated project management and leadership abilities.

Responsibilities

• Define end-to-end data flow architectures from collection to delivery.
• Create layered architecture models (physical, data link, network, application).
• Develop requirements for future architectures aligning to user needs and strategic intent.
• Define interfaces between space, ground, and tactical edge segments.
• Design redundant path architectures to eliminate single points of failure.
• Develop architectures that accommodate future growth.
• Conduct architecture reviews with stakeholders.
• Validate designs against mission requirements and technology options.

Skills

Satellite systems

Multidisciplinary engineering

Critical thinking

Analytical writing

Project management

Education

Bachelor's degree in Professional Engineering or related field

Job description

WE ARE THE NRO

For sixty years, the NRO has developed, acquired, launched and operated the satellites that are the foundation for America’s advantage and strength in space. Using a diversified architecture of spacecraft, NRO collects and delivers the best space-based intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance content on the planet.

Learn more at NRO.gov.

Basic Eligibility For A Position With The NRO

• You must be a U.S. Citizen
• You must be able to obtain and maintain a TS/SCI security clearance
• You will be subject to pre-employment and periodic drug testing
• You will be subject to pre-employment and periodic polygraph examinations

Where You Will Work

The Office of Chief Architect (OCA) is in search of a sharp, critically thinking problem solver to serve as an Enterprise Architect in the Data Transport enterprise capability portfolio area. This position is non-supervisory however the individual will lead a team of 2-3 contractors. OCA advances the NRO Enterprise by defining, assessing, and delivering the future NRO Enterprise Architecture, shaping investment decisions, and enabling enterprise decision-making. It does so by formulating strategic architecture imperatives for the NRO, developing end-to-end architecture capability at all layers of the Enterprise (space, ground, application, data, facility, infrastructure, etc.), executing long-term strategic planning, driving NRO architecture investments to advance the mission and address strategic challenges. OCA represents the NRO on IC and DoD major architecture initiatives and significant shared programs and advises NRO senior leadership on NRO Enterprise advancement to ensure NRO maintains strategic advantage in today’s rapidly changing national security environment.

The NRO Cadre is collecting resumes for consideration against current and future opportunities for senior level (GG-13), Enterprise Architects, occupational series 0801. For more information on the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) occupational series, click here.

Your resume may be considered for other positions which your skills and experience may be a good match.

This is a full-time position that is open from 7 August, 2026 through 21 August, 2026. Resumes must be submitted by 11:59 PM EST on 21 August, 2026.

Who May Apply

• This position is open to the public.
• Federal government employees MUST currently be at the grade level or higher as indicated in this announcement. This is NOT a promotion opportunity for current Federal government employees. If selected for the position, Federal government employees will transition laterally at their current grade level and step.
• Federal applicants who exceed the advertised grade may voluntarily request acceptance at the lower grade per IAW DoWI 1400.25 Volume 2006.
• The NRO is only accepting external applicants for this job announcement. Current NRO Cadre employees should apply internally.
• This position may not qualify for the appointment of a reemployed federal annuitant IAW DoWI 1400.25 Volume 300.

What You Will Be Doing

Enterprise Architects in OCA help advance the NRO enterprise in delivering capability by conducting and overseeing technical analyses and assessments to support senior-level decision making, maturing architecture concepts and strategies as necessary, and developing planning guidance to drive investment and assess budget execution. They explore and experiment with new and/or improved concepts, technology, and strategies and work to determine feasibility, enterprise utility, and risk. Enterprise Architects will execute often ambiguous tasks requiring new enterprise approaches, sophisticated architectural techniques, creative collection solutions, and utilizes enterprise digital engineering models.

As An NRO Enterprise Data Transport Architect You Will

• Define end-to-end data flow architectures from collection to delivery
• Create layered architecture models (physical, data link, network, application)
• Develop requirements for future architectures aligning to user needs and strategic intent
• Define interfaces between space, ground, and tactical edge segments
• Design redundant path architectures to eliminate single points of failure
• Develop architectures that accommodate future growth
• Conduct architecture reviews with stakeholders
• Validate designs against mission requirements and technology options

What You Need

Required

• Bachelor's degree in Professional Engineering or related field
• Sound understanding of intelligence satellite systems
• Expertise in multidisciplinary engineering concepts, principles, and practices
• Proven critical thinking and analytical writing skills
• Demonstrated project management and leadership abilities

Desired

• Knowledge of DoD and Intelligence Community (IC) organizations, missions, relevant policies, and processes
• Understanding of government acquisition processes
• Knowledge of and ability to apply analytic, diagnostic, and qualitative techniques sufficient to produce authoritative analytical products, and the ability to employ new methodological approaches to analyze information
• Experience with commercial, civil, national security, or defense space missions
• Familiarity with digital engineering environments

Qualifying experience may have been acquired in any public or private sector job, but will clearly demonstrate past experience in the application of the particular competencies/knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to successfully perform and is typically in or directly related to the duties of the position as described above.

Experience must be reflected in your resume.

Applicants submitting a resume that exceeds the two-page limit per OPM Memorandum, “Merit Hiring Plan,” dated May 29, 2025, https://www.opm.gov/chcoc/latest-memos/merit-hiring-plan.pdf will not be eligible for consideration. For more information regarding resume writing, see “Guidance for Applicants on 2-Page Resume” and visit the Resume Help Center.

Other Information

• Overtime Statement: MAY be required to work other than normal duty hours, which may include evenings, weekends, and/or holidays.
• Travel Statement: MAY be required to travel in military or commercial aircraft to perform temporary duty assignments.
• Financial Disclosure: MAY be required to file an OGE Form 450, Confidential Financial Disclosure Report, upon appointment and will be required to file annually.
• Defense Acquisition Workforce Improvement Act (DAWIA) coded positions: If selected for a DAWIA coded position, the incumbent must meet appropriate certification requirements IAW the Defense Acquisition Workforce Improvement Act (DAWIA) no later than 24 months after accepting this position. Individual shall maintain, at a minimum 80 continuous Learning Points every 24 months via the services acquisition management system. DAWIA requirements may be located at the Defense Acquisition University website.
• Geographic Mobility Agreement: MAY be subject to directed reassignment as required to address mission effectiveness, and/or career development.
• Information Assurance (IA): Must achieve the appropriate IA certification within six months of assignment.
• Emergency Essential: Certain positions MAY be deemed emergency essential and incumbents must be willing to meet all position requirements.

Location

Chantilly, VA 20151

Telework is not available and you must be able to work at the specified location(s).

Salary

This position meets the qualifications for Defense Civilian Intelligence Personnel System (DCIPS) Targeted Local Market Supplement (TLMS) STEM pay for NRO Cadre employees and candidates as authorized by the office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Intelligence and Security’s (OUSD(I&S)). Cadre employees and candidates are eligible to receive STEM pay if they are currently serving in a STEM designated position. Should a Cadre employee or candidate earning STEM pay change positions within the organization, they must be assigned to another STEM qualifying position in order to continue to remain eligible for STEM pay. Otherwise, Cadre employees and Candidates Generally would be transitioned to the DCIPS GG Pay Scale. For more information on STEM pay, visit https://dcips.defense.gov/Human-Resources/Compensation/

2026 salary range for the Washington, DC area: GG-13 $132,751 – $181,428

• This position is a DCIPS position. The NRO is accepting applications from U.S. Citizens and current federal government employees for this position. To qualify for the position, federal government employees MUST currently be at the GG – 13 grade level and may ONLY apply for a lateral reassignment at their current grade level and step. Federal applicants who exceed the advertised grade may voluntarily request acceptance at the lower grade per IAW DoWI 1400.25 Volume 2006.

Hiring Incentives

The NRO may offer hiring incentives and other entitlements at management’s discretion.

Trial Period

All new DCIPS employees will be required to serve a 2‑year trial period.

Veterans’ Preference

DoW Components with DCIPS positions apply Veterans’ Preference to preference eligible candidates as defined by Section 2108 of Title 5 USC, in accordance with the procedures provided in DoW Instruction 1400.25, Vol 2005, DCIPS Employment and Placement. If you are a veteran claiming veterans’ preference, as defined by section 2108 of Title 5 USC, you must submit documents verifying your eligibility upon request.

Equal Employment Opportunity Policy

The United States government does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy and gender identity), national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, retaliation, parental status, military service or other non-merit factor.

• Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) for federal employees & job applicants

Reasonable Accommodation Policy

Federal agencies must provide reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities where appropriate. Applicants requiring reasonable accommodation for any part of the application process should follow the instructions in the job opportunity announcement. For any part of the remaining hiring process, applicants should contact the hiring agency directly. Determinations on requests for reasonable accommodation will be made on a case‑based basis.

• An applicant with a disability needs an accommodation to have an equal opportunity to apply for a job.
• An employee with a disability needs an accommodation to perform the essential job duties or to gain access to the workplace.
• An employee with a disability needs an accommodation to receive equal access to benefits, such as details, training, and office-sponsored events.

You can request a reasonable accommodation at any time during the application or hiring process or while on the job. Requests are considered on a case-by-case basis. Please send your request to [email protected].

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