Supervisory Acquisition Program Manager

Air Force Civilian Service; Bedford (MA); On-site; USD 142,000 - 197,000; Full time

Job summary

Air Force Civilian Service seeks a Supervisory Acquisition Program Manager (NH-04) to lead the Sentinel NC3 IPT within the Nuclear Networks Division. You will direct cost, schedule, performance, and risk for a high-visibility DoD program, oversee a multidisciplinary team, and brief senior leaders on architecture and acquisition decisions.

Expect to manage budgets, develop acquisition strategies, and ensure strict compliance with DoD 5000-series.

Qualifications

• U.S. Citizenship required.
• Top Secret clearance with SAP eligibility.
• Advanced certification in Program Management per APDP.
• SAR 5 position with 3-year tenure agreement.
• Some travel may be required; no remote work eligibility.
• APDP requirements must be met within the required timeframe.

Responsibilities

• Direct cost, schedule, performance, and risk management of highly complex, high-visibility programs.
• Exercise supervisory authority over a multi-disciplinary workforce; hiring and development.
• Serve as senior DoD advisor on engineering, testing, and operational issues; provide data-driven recommendations.
• Formulate and oversee substantial program budgets; liaison between SPO, contractors and external agencies.
• Lead acquisition strategies, contract requirements, PMRs, and ensure compliance with DoD 5000-series and nuclear surety standards.

Skills

DAWIA Program Management

PPBE processes

Acquisition leadership

Brief senior DoD leaders

Security clearance preparation

Education

Advanced Certification in Program Management (DAWIA/APDP)

Job description

Come be a part of something big! Smart Minds, Cool Jobs, and Awesome Rewards! Fueled by innovation, talent and ambition, the Air Force Civilian Service (AFCS) is seeking civilian professionals prepared to deploy war-winning capabilities on behalf of the United States Air Force. OPENS: 21 September 2026 CLOSES: 5 October 2026 **IMPORTANT**

• AFNWC is requiring the 2-page resume format for our job announcements. Please access this link to learn more about what to include in your resume: https://help.usajobs.gov/faq/application/documents/resume/what-to-include
• If you submit a resume that is more than 2 pages, you may receive an error message. Please submit no more than a 2-page resume to be considered.
• Provide all academic degrees, professional military education and any other professional certifications on your 2-page resume.
• Recruitment, relocation, retention, and student loan incentives may be authorized.
• Candidates may be asked to provide three professional references upon request. Air Force Nuclear Weapons Center (AFNWC) Nuclear Command, Control, and Communications (NC3) Integration Directorate, is currently seeking one full-time Supervisory Acquisition Program Manager (09444491M) to work in the Nuclear Networks Division (NCN) in support of the Sentinel Program at Hanscom Air Force Base near Bedford, MA or at Hill Air Force Base near Layton, Utah. The NH-1101-04 position has a typical 2026 salary range of $142,452 – $197,200 (including locality) at Hanscom AFB or $125,776 - $192,331 (including locality) at Hill AFB and a Value of Position (VoP) score of 90. **If the NH-04 applicant’s current VoP/salary is higher, it will not be lowered due to accepting the position. As a Supervisory Program Manager (NH-04) within the Nuclear Networks Division (NCN), this position is tasked to lead the Sentinel NC3 Integrated Product Team (IPT) to transition legacy Minuteman III NC3 systems in support of the Sentinel program. The Sentinel program is an ACAT 1D Major Defense Acquisition Program (MDAP) tasked with delivering a full system replacement for the nation’s Minuteman III ICBM System, providing a critical strategic deterrent to ensure national security. The incumbent is integral to the strategic execution and overall success of the Sentinel weapon system, which serves as a cornerstone of the nation’s nuclear triad. Operating at the highest levels within the Air Force Nuclear Weapons Center (AFNWC), the incumbent directs mission-critical operations, resolves unprecedented and highly complex challenges, and champions initiatives that directly promote national security through nuclear deterrence. DUTIES:
• Direct the cost, schedule, performance, and risk management of highly complex, high-visibility engineering and acquisition programs, aligning execution with Air Force, AFNWC, and DoD strategic deterrent objectives. This includes establishing long-term program baselines, implementing robust risk mitigation frameworks, and ensuring the seamless system integration of modern nuclear modernization capabilities.
• Exercise full supervisory authority over a multi-disciplinary workforce of engineers and program managers, driving professional development, executing hiring, and translating leadership directives into actionable team items. In addition, this involves cultivating a high-performance culture, mentoring the next generation of acquisition leaders, and managing workforce sizing to meet evolving mission demands.
• Serve as the authoritative expert and strategic advisor to senior DoD leadership on engineering, testing, and operational issues, while proactively identifying and resolving complex, cross-boundary technical challenges. This requires diagnosing systemic engineering hurdles, conducting rigorous technical assessments, and delivering unbiased, data-driven recommendations on architecture and system design.
• Formulate and oversee substantial program budgets, serve as the primary liaison between the SPO, contractors, and external agencies, and present decisive briefing materials to facilitate high-level decision-making. This entails defending financial requirements during budget cycles, aligning disparate agency priorities, and translating technical jargon into clear, actionable executive briefings.
• Steer the development of advanced acquisition strategies and contract requirements, overseeing contractor performance to ensure strict compliance with DoD 5000-series directives and nuclear surety standards. Responsibilities extend to leading formal Program Management Reviews (PMRs), drafting high-value solicitation packages, and enforcing rigid quality control measures to secure system certification. SKILLS:
• Must possess a minimum of 4 years of established, hands-on acquisition experience in accordance with Defense Acquisition Workforce Improvement Act (DAWIA) guidelines.
• Must have demonstrated professional experience equivalent to the GS-14 level (NH-04) or above, showing progressive responsibility in program leadership.
• Advanced capability in PPBE (Planning, Programming, Budgeting, and Execution) processes, including managing substantial program budgets, defense acquisition program elements, and resource allocation.
• Executive-level capability to brief senior DoD leaders, congressional staff, and joint-service stakeholders on highly complex, technical nuclear modernization programs.
• Candidate’s resume will be used to evaluate and determine qualified experience for this role. Structured interviews may be conducted to assess core competencies. REQUIREMENTS FOR THE POSITION:
• U.S. Citizenship is required.
• This is a SAR 5 position. The employee must be able to obtain and maintain a Top Secret security clearance with Special Access Program (SAP) eligibility.
• Required to handle and safeguard sensitive and/or classified information in accordance with regulations to reduce potential compromise.
• This is an acquisition position covered by the Acquisition Professional Development Program (APDP). The employee must meet Defense Acquisition Workforce Improvement Act (DAWIA) requirements, which includes achieving an "Advanced" certification in Program Management within the required timeframe after appointment.
• As a Critical Acquisition Position (CAP), the incumbent must execute a 3-year tenure agreement, except as tailored by the Component Acquisition Executive (CAE).
• In accordance with the Ethics in Government Act of 1978, the employee may be required to file an OGE Form 450, Confidential Financial Disclosure Report, upon appointment and annually thereafter.
• This position may be subject to random drug testing.
• Work requires occasional travel away from the normal duty station via military or commercial aircraft.
• This position is NOT eligible for remote work or full-time telework.