Deputy Program Manager, Vulcan Launch Operations

Air Force Civilian Service; Los Angeles (CA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

The United States Space Force Space Systems Command (SSC) at Los Angeles Air Force Base, CA seeks a Deputy Program Manager, Vulcan Launch Operations. You will oversee acquisition of launch services, integrate satellites with boosters, and coordinate across DoD and industry partners to ensure timely missions.

Responsibilities include managing CDRL inputs, interfacing with CORs, and traveling to Cape Canaveral, Vandenberg, and other facilities to support ~10–12 launches annually.

Qualifications

• Experience with government contracts and acquisition processes.

Responsibilities

• Lead space launch vehicle acquisition and satellite integration planning.
• Coordinate with launch service providers (ULA/SpaceX/Blue Origin) and manage procurement actions.
• Communicate status and risks to the Program Manager and stakeholders.

Skills

Acquisition management

Contracting/Procurement

Leadership/Team management

Effective communication

Budget & cost analysis

Job description

Organization

Organization: The United States Space Force (USSF) is a military service that organizes, trains, and equips military members and civilians to protect U.S. and allied interests in space and provide space capabilities to the joint force. USSF responsibilities include developing Guardians, acquiring military space systems, maturing the military doctrine for space power, and organizing space forces to present to our Combatant Commands (CCMDs). The strategic importance of space can’t be overstated. Political and humanitarian interests as well as commercial concerns vital to the world economy all rely on space-based systems. Launched in 2019 as the nation’s sixth and newest military branch, the USSF was created to protect the interests and assets of America and its allies in this heavily contested realm. The Department of War relies on satellites and advanced space-based technology for secure communications, navigation, real-time reconnaissance, precision targeting on the battlefield, early warning of potential missile launches, and even weather forecasting. Guardians and civilians of the USSF are challenged every day to reach new heights in protecting and amplifying these space-based capabilities and defending our way of life by maintaining our edge in space. The Space Force wants to attract talent with the character and potential to excel, empower them with information and choices, and develop them in line with their desires and the Space Force’s needs to create a high-performing organization necessary to secure and defend space. Please review the new Guardian Ideal to learn more about the new talent culture within the new U.S. Space Force, as we have a chance to make history and rewrite some of the rules—we hope you are excited about the opportunities this will present! https://www.spaceforce.mil/News/Article/2782534/cso-unveils-guardian-ideal-space-force-values-at-afa/

Position Overview

The United States Space Force (USSF) Space Systems Command (SSC) at Los Angeles Air Force Base, California is searching for an Deputy Program Manager, Vulcan Launch Operations (NH-1101-03, GS 12/13 equivalent). Description: Welcome to the exciting world of rockets!!! This job will provide you an opportunity to acquire a service vs a weapon system or hardware, but not just any kind of service, but the unique one of acquiring a space launch capability from United Launch Alliance (ULA), a joint venture between Lockheed Martin Space and Boeing Defense, Space, and Security. In this position you’ll be responsible for acquiring from ULA a booster/first stage, a second stage, a payload fairing to encapsulate the satellite, mission unique hardware for integrating the Satellite with the launch vehicle and an engineering design as to how ULA will carry the satellite to space and how it will deploy the space vehicle to achieve the desired orbit. Launches will be conducted out of either Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, FL or Vandenberg Space Force Base, CA. You may also be involved with swapping missions (after their initial assignment) between ULA, SpaceX, and Blue Origin. You’ll also become a Contracting Officer Representative (COR), receiving, disseminating, and reviewing inputs on Contract Data Receivable Lists (CDRLs) and then issuing a Contract Document Action to ULA when the Government accepts the CDRL input(s). You will also work regularly with a Procurement Contracting Officer, their buyer(s), Financial Managers, and Engineers as well as be expected to travel to the Cape, Vandenberg, Denver, CO (ULA’s Headquarters) and Decatur, AL (ULA’s manufacturing facility). Space is a vital National asset and in this position, you will be at the forefront of acquiring a $100M+ space launch capability for $.5B+ satellites, which will entail 10-12 launches per year.

Ideal Candidate

Plans, organizes, and directs the activities of Government and industry team members with responsibility to acquire a Space Force launch service of national significance. Leads their team through launch vehicle acquisition, integration of a satellite unto its launch booster and second stage, and execution of realistic plans and risks mitigations as necessary. Clearly communicates status of launch mission acquisition and execution to Program Manager. Elevates issues as necessary for rapid closure of Cost, Schedule, Performance, and Risk challenges confronting the launch vehicle provider.

Key Skills and Abilities

1. Knowledge of the policies, practices, regulations, and laws concerning the acquisition management process and initiatives.
2. Knowledge of government and private industry policies and practices related to business management, industrial management, financial systems, technical concepts, and production practices. Ability to gather, analyze, and evaluate a variety of program information, such as commercial business practices, market conditions, offer acceptability, contractor acceptability, contractor responsibility and/or performance to determine acquisition strategy and sources.
3. Knowledge of the missions, roles, functions, organizational structures, and operation of the Department of Defense, Air/Space Force, and entities that govern, interface with, and/or influence management control of proposed and ongoing service contracts.
4. Knowledge of methods of supervision to hold others accountable for measurable high-quality, timely, and cost-effective results. Ability to plan, organize, and direct the functions of a unit and mentor, motivate, and appraise subordinate staff. Determine objectives, make sound, well-informed, and objective decisions, set priorities, cause change, and accomplish organizational goals.
5. Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, clearly, concisely, with technical accuracy and to 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.
6. Ability to establish and maintain good relationships with individuals and groups within the office as well as outside the immediate work unit and to be persuasive in representing the best interests of the government when dealing with personnel with highly divergent points of view.
7. Ability to plan, organize, analyze problems, translate complex information, make appropriate judgments, evaluate options, conduct research, summarize results, make appropriate recommendations, and manage critical aspects of service contract requirements as related to the assigned functional area and meet deadlines. Ability to compose and edit contracts requires correspondence, review and analyze directives, develop and brief service contract program related presentations.

Requirements

1. Must be a U.S Citizen.
2. Employee must be able to obtain and maintain a Top-Secret clearance with eligibility for access to Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI), other intelligence-related Special Sensitive information, or involvement in Top Secret Special Access Programs (SAP) to fully perform the duties and responsibilities of the position.
3. Required to handle and safeguard sensitive and/or classified information in accordance with regulations to reduce potential compromise.
4. This position is designated for drug testing. Incumbent is subject to random urinalysis testing as a condition of employment.
5. Employee must within 30-days of assuming this position and annually thereafter, file an OGE-450, “Confidential Financial Disclosure Report.”
6. This position is part of the Acquisition Professional Development Program (APDP).
7. Subject to Temporary Duty Assignment (TDY): Approximately 20 days per year.
8. Employee may be required to work overtime on an unscheduled or emergency basis.
9. May be required to travel by military or commercial aircraft in the performance of TDY assignments.
10. The employee must meet the Defense Acquisition Workforce Improvement Act (DAWIA) requirements applicable to the duties of the position.
11. Eligible for situational telework only, including Emergency and OPM prescribed “Unscheduled Telework”.
12. Relocation is authorized.
13. Position will close in 5 business days or 75 applications (whichever comes first).