Chief Architect Senior Level
Job Location:
Job Location:
Chantilly, VA - USA
Yearly Salary:
USD 148275 - 197200
Yearly Salary:
Posted on:
7 days ago
Posted on:
Vacancies:
1 Vacancy
Vacancies:
Job Summary
WE ARE THE NRO
For sixty years the NRO has developed acquired launched and operated the satellites that are the foundation for Americas 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 .
Basic Eligibility For A Position With The NRO
As the Chief Architect reporting directly to the COMM Front Office youll serve as the principal authority for enterprise IT architecture across all COMM activities responsible for establishing and maintaining the strategic vision and technical framework that governs how COMMs IT infrastructure systems and services are designed integrated and evolved to support mission objectives. Youll work alongside dedicated professionals across all COMM Groups and Offices operating worldwide providing technical leadership and strategic guidance that shapes the future of NROs communications infrastructure.
This leadership position oversees 100 civilian and contractor personnel in the delivery of telecommunications computer system operations and Information Technology (IT) maintenance. The position is responsible for ensuring alignment and integration of divisional priorities and initiatives with NRO HQ the Communications System Directorate andmission position serves as a member of the senior leadership team as the ADF-E COMM Division Chief. This supervisory position will lead the workforce through significant cultural and environmental change IT modernization and continued mission growth.
The NRO Cadre is collecting resumes for consideration against current and future opportunities for senior level (GG-14 to GG-15) supervisory IT Specialists occupational series 2210. 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 June 11 2026 to June 25 2026. Resumes must be submitted by 11:59 PM EST on June 25 2026.
Who May Apply
Applicants submitting a resume that exceeds the two-page limit per OPM Memorandum Merit Hiring Plan dated May 29 2025 not be eligible for consideration. For more information regarding resume writing see Guidance for Applicants on 2-Page Resume and visit theResume Help Center.
Other Information
Chantilly VA
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 War for Intelligence and Securitys (OUSW(I&S)). Cadre employees and candidates are eligible to receive STEM pay if they are currently serving in a STEM designated position.
2026 STEM Salary Ranges:
For more information on STEM pay visit position is a senior level 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-14 or GG-15 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 managements 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.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-by-case basis.
A reasonable accommodation is any change to a job the work environment or the way things are usually done that enables an individual with a disability to apply for a job perform job duties or receive equal access to job benefits.
Under the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 federal agencies must provide reasonable accommodations when:
Privacy Act Notice
Privacy Act Notice (PL 93-579): We use this information to determine qualifications for employment. This is authorized under Title 5 U.S.C. 3302 and 3361.
Read more about the Privacy Act of 1974
For sixty years the NRO has developed acquired launched and operated the satellites that are the foundation for Americas 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 .
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
As the Chief Architect reporting directly to the COMM Front Office youll serve as the principal authority for enterprise IT architecture across all COMM activities responsible for establishing and maintaining the strategic vision and technical framework that governs how COMMs IT infrastructure systems and services are designed integrated and evolved to support mission objectives. Youll work alongside dedicated professionals across all COMM Groups and Offices operating worldwide providing technical leadership and strategic guidance that shapes the future of NROs communications infrastructure.
This leadership position oversees 100 civilian and contractor personnel in the delivery of telecommunications computer system operations and Information Technology (IT) maintenance. The position is responsible for ensuring alignment and integration of divisional priorities and initiatives with NRO HQ the Communications System Directorate andmission position serves as a member of the senior leadership team as the ADF-E COMM Division Chief. This supervisory position will lead the workforce through significant cultural and environmental change IT modernization and continued mission growth.
The NRO Cadre is collecting resumes for consideration against current and future opportunities for senior level (GG-14 to GG-15) supervisory IT Specialists occupational series 2210. 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 June 11 2026 to June 25 2026. Resumes must be submitted by 11:59 PM EST on June 25 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.
- Partner with C/TD to establish and maintain enterprise IT architecture strategy including principles standards policies and 10-year roadmap using UAF framework aligned with COMM mission and DoW/IC mandates
- Provide senior technical leadership to COMM leadership on architecture decisions and technology investments; chair Technology Review Forum for IT change management governance across all Groups/Offices
- Design enterprise integration frameworks and architect technical solutions including cloud-native/hybrid environments digital engineering platforms and AI/ML foundations; evaluate and recommend enterprise technologies
- Co-chair NRO Standards Management Group and represent NRO on Joint Enterprise Steering Committee ensuring review and promotion of emerging commercial and government standards
- Lead enterprise-wide architecture governance building organizational competencies reviewing major program architectures and establishing compliance mechanisms and continuous improvement processes
- Oversee Data Driven Decisions (D3) project and support NRO CAI framework implementation; serve as COMM AI Champion for CAIO-led policy development and technology evaluation
- Manage FFRDC SETA contractor and reservist support for enterprise architecture modeling digital engineering and strategic technology initiatives
- Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills to establish relationships across organizational levels prepare technical briefings and present strategic recommendations to senior executives and NRO leadership
- Expert understanding of systems engineering principles (including MBSE) enterprise architecture frameworks (UAF DoWAF TOGAF) and comprehensive knowledge of agency mission objectives and management practices
- Mastery of advanced IT principles and proven expertise in developing enterprise architectures including cloud/SOA/hybrid environments as-is baselines to-be reference architectures and multi-year technology roadmaps
- Strong knowledge of architecture governance technical review processes and change management; extensive experience leading architecture forums and working with DoW/IC architecture initiatives and compliance requirements
- Advanced degree in Systems/Computer Engineering Information Systems or IT-related fields; professional certifications in enterprise architecture (TOGAF Zachman DoWAF/UAF) and PMP or equivalent
- Experience with digital engineering DevSecOps agile/SAFe methodologies space systems/satellite communications architecture modeling tools data visualization platforms (Tableau PowerBI) and AI/ML technologies
- Ability to lead geographically dispersed teams and manage FFRDC/SETA contractors; background in information systems security accreditation processes and network security methodologies
Applicants submitting a resume that exceeds the two-page limit per OPM Memorandum Merit Hiring Plan dated May 29 2025 not be eligible for consideration. For more information regarding resume writing see Guidance for Applicants on 2-Page Resume and visit theResume 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.
Chantilly VA
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 War for Intelligence and Securitys (OUSW(I&S)). Cadre employees and candidates are eligible to receive STEM pay if they are currently serving in a STEM designated position.
2026 STEM Salary Ranges:
- GG-14: $148275 $192764
- GG-15: $167446 $197200
For more information on STEM pay visit position is a senior level 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-14 or GG-15 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 managements 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.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-by-case basis.
A reasonable accommodation is any change to a job the work environment or the way things are usually done that enables an individual with a disability to apply for a job perform job duties or receive equal access to job benefits.
Under the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 federal agencies must provide reasonable accommodations when:
- 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.
Privacy Act Notice
Privacy Act Notice (PL 93-579): We use this information to determine qualifications for employment. This is authorized under Title 5 U.S.C. 3302 and 3361.
Read more about the Privacy Act of 1974
Required Experience:
Chief
About Company
The National Reconnaissance Office (NRO) helps the US practice the first rule of warfare: Know thine enemy. Called the "nation's eyes and ears in space," the Department of Defense agency designs, builds, and operates US reconnaissance satellites for the Central Intelligence Agency and ... View more
