SPACE SYSTEMS INTEGRATION OFFICE DIRECTOR AND SPACE ENTERPRISE CHIEF ENGINEER
What you'd do
Created by the FY2020 NDAA under the Department of the Air Force, the U.S. Space Force (USSF) secures U.S. freedom of action in the space domain. It trains and equips forces for offensive, defensive, and combat-support operations, providing independent capabilities to national leadership while boosting the overall lethality of the joint military force. Location to be determined after selection has been made.
Major duties
This executive role serves as the central technical authority for the DAF space enterprise, bridging high-level strategic requirements with complex, cross-portfolio engineering execution and global partnerships to ensure U.S. space dominance. Directs enterprise system-of-systems engineering, technical governance, and cross-portfolio integration. Exercises delegated authority to oversee integration compliance across all Portfolio Acquisition Executives (PAEs) and Program Executive Offices (PEOs). Leads mission thread analysis, kill chain assessments, and cross-program interface definitions. Decomposes high-level Space Priority Requirements into actionable, cross-mission specifications while enforcing technical baselines. Aligns technical execution, architectures, and schedules across multiple portfolios. Identifies integration risks or gaps, directs corrective mitigation actions, and directly informs resource planning and POM investment prioritization. Ensures end-to-end capability interoperability by coordinating with the Department of War (DoW), Intelligence Community (IC), interagency partners, and allied nations. Serves as the premier senior technical advisor to DAF leadership (including the ASAF and PDAS). Represents SSIO in high-level DoW/IC engagements, supporting senior testimonies, acquisition strategies, and architecture development forums. Mentors and develops a highly skilled, high-performance workforce of civilian and military personnel. Establishes organizational structures and a culture focused on technical excellence, innovation, and enterprise-level thinking.
What you need to qualify
Eligibility will be based upon a clear showing the applicant has education, training, and experience of the scope and quality sufficient to effectively carry-out the duties of the position. Candidates must exemplify the corporate perspective, leadership vision, broad experience and character needed in the SES corps not only to satisfy the immediate vacancy, but future vacancies which will occur in a variety of organizations, functions and locations. Candidates will not be hired based on their race, sex, color, religion, or national origin. In accordance with new OPM requirements to streamline Senior Executive Service (SES) hiring, applicants are no longer required to submit lengthy narrative essays, including those for Executive Core Qualifications (ECQs) or Mandatory Technical Qualifications (TQs), when applying. Instead, the initial application will be resume-only, capped at two pages. This change streamlines the application process and more closely aligns with private industry practices. Applicants identified for potential selection will have their ECQs assessed by undergoing a structured interview with the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Qualifications Review Board (QRB). To meet the minimum qualification requirements for this position, you must show that you possess the education, Technical Qualifications (TQ), and Executive Core Qualifications (ECQ) related to this position within your resume (not to exceed 2 pages). Resumes over the 2-page limit will be disqualified. Your resume should include examples of experience, education, and accomplishments applicable to the qualification(s). If your resume does not reflect demonstrated evidence of the ECQs and TQs, you may not receive further consideration for the position. TECHNICAL QUALIFICATIONS (TQs): Your resume should demonstrate accomplishments that satisfy the technical qualifications. TQ1. Demonstrated executive-level experience leading the integration of complex space acquisition portfolios, architectures, and mission areas across multiple organizations, including PEOs/PAEs and other national security space stakeholders. This includes directing enterprise systems engineering, requirements and architecture decomposition, mission thread analysis, interface management, and system-of-systems integration; shaping enterprise technical strategies; and driving alignment and unity of effort across diverse acquisition authorities and mission partners. TQ2. Demonstrated mastery of space systems engineering, enterprise architectures, mission and technical decomposition, and integration disciplines, and the ability to apply them to shape technical baselines, interface standards, and enterprise-level engineering decisions affecting multi-billion-dollar portfolios. Proven ability to advise senior Department of War (DoW), Department of Air Force (DAF), and national security leaders on acquisition strategy, programmatic and technical risk, architectural alignment, and enterprise governance, synthesizing complex technical, operational, and programmatic information into actionable recommendations for senior decision makers. EXECUTIVE CORE QUALIFICATIONS (ECQs): All new appointees to the Senior Executive Service (SES) under a career appointment will be assessed for executive competency against the five mandatory ECQs: ECQ 1. Commitment to the Rule of Law and the Principles of the American Founding: Demonstrated knowledge of the American system of government, commitment to uphold the Constitution and the rule of law, and commitment to serve the American people. ECQ 2. Driving Efficiency: Demonstrated ability to strategically and efficiently manage resources, budget effectively, cut wasteful spending, and pursue efficiency through process and technological upgrades. ECQ 3. Merit and Competence: Demonstrated knowledge, ability, and technical competence to effectively and reliably produce work that is of exceptional quality. ECQ 4. Leading People: Demonstrated ability to lead and inspire a group toward meeting the organization's vision, mission, and goals, and to drive a high-performance, high-accountability culture. This includes, when necessary, the ability to lead people through change and to hold individuals accountable. ECQ 5. Achieving Results: Demonstrated ability to achieve both individual and organizational results, and to align results to stated goals from superiors. Please note: If you are a member of the SES or have been certified through successful participation in an OPM approved SES Candidate Development Program, or have SES reinstatement eligibility, you must attach proof (e.g., SF-50 or Certification by OPM's SES Qualifications Review Board) of your eligibility for noncompetitive appointment to the SES.
Before you apply
Federal applications are different: your resume should be 3–5 pages and mirror the language of this announcement. Read our federal resume guide first — it's the #1 reason qualified people get screened out.
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