Deputy, NRO Chief Artificial Intelligence Officer, Acquisition & Integration Oversight

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 18 years of age or older
• 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

Per Executive Order and National Defense Authorization Act, each federal agency was required to appoint a Chief Artificial Intelligence Officer (CAIO) to represent the agency’s AI equities and provide consolidated reporting on AI implementation and compliance to oversight. The Deputy, Chief Artificial Intelligence Official (Deputy CAIO) for Acquisition and Implementation Oversight will support the CAIO in overseeing AI acquisition and implementation of AI technologies in accordance with NRO AI Strategy,  Implementation Plan, and associated AI Policy. This position ensures that AI capabilities are acquired, integrated, and maintained across NRO operations and lines of business in a manner that is compliant to policy and law and aligns with NRO strategic goals and mission objectives. The incumbent will provide guidance and technical expertise in the management of AI integration, ensuring implementation and acquisition objectives are extensible and interoperable across the Intelligence Community and Department of Defense enterprise, while driving innovation and efficiency. This position is the counterpart to the Deputy, CAIO for Policy and Compliance Oversight.

In this role, the Deputy CAIO will collaborate with senior leadership, acquisition professionals, and technical teams to implement cutting-edge AI solutions that enhance mission capabilities. The incumbent will verify and validate through independent test and evaluation that AI technologies are ethically integrated and that risks are mitigated through verification and validation across the acquisition lifecycle. This position requires a forward-looking perspective, guiding the organization in adopting emerging AI trends and ensuring that AI systems are scalable, secure, safe, and adaptable to evolving mission requirements.
The NRO Cadre is collecting resumes for consideration against current and future opportunities for Full Performance Level (GG-15), General/Systems Engineer, and 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 January 16, 2025 to February 28, 2025. Resumes must be submitted by 11:59 PM EST on February 28, 2025.

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 DoD 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 DoDI 1400.25 Volume 300.

What You Will Be Doing

Acquisition Oversight:  As the Deputy CAIO, you will oversee the acquisition of AI systems across the NRO enterprise, working closely with contracting officers, program managers, and technical specialists to ensure that AI products and services are acquired in compliance with AI acquisition law, federal acquisition regulations and organization policies. You will be responsible for overseeing the technical and financial viability of proposed AI technologies, ensuring they align with organizational AI strategy and implementation policy, meet operational requirements, and are postured to deliver on time and within budget. Additionally, you will lead efforts to establish standard contractual terms and conditions and performance metrics to inform an enterprise approach to AI acquisitions to ensure program managers efficiently procure and manage AI solutions.

The incumbent will also serve as a key advisor to NRO senior leadership on AI procurement strategies, identifying opportunities to streamline acquisition processes and introduce innovative AI solutions into operations. The Deputy CAIO for Acquisition and Implementation Oversight, in coordination with Office of CAIO senior leadership, will develop acquisition roadmaps that support long-term mission readiness, ensuring that the NRO’s AI capabilities evolve in alignment with strategic objectives and emerging technologies.

Implementation Oversight:  In the area of implementation, the Deputy CAIO for Acquisition and Implementation Oversight will oversee and coordinate the deployment of AI technologies across NRO programs and ensure alignment with organizational strategic objectives. The Deputy CAIO will lead the coordination of cross-functional AI Champion teams to ensure that AI systems are effectively integrated, tested, and scaled. You will assess system performance post-deployment, providing recommendations for system improvements, oversee risk mitigation through verification and validation, and ensure AI technologies are necessary, sustainable, secure, resilient, and responsive to operational needs.

The position requires ongoing monitoring of AI deployment and maintenance to ensure compliance with applicable federal regulations, ethical standards, and risk management frameworks. You will be responsible for leading initiatives to continuously improve AI systems and technologies by incorporating user feedback, conducting performance evaluations, verifying and validating risk tolerance and addressing any identified gaps in capabilities or performance. In addition, you will manage the development of AI governance structures to maintain accountability, transparency, and effectiveness across all implementation phases.

What You Need

All applicants must submit written statements (narrative format) of accomplishments that would satisfy the technical qualifications.  You must address each technical qualification separately.  You are required to respond to all the technical qualifications.  If you fail to do so, you will be rated as ineligible. Please limit your written statements to no more than five pages.  Responses exceeding five pages will only have the first five pages reviewed for consideration.

• Expert knowledge of current Artificial Intelligence (AI) Technologies: In-depth knowledge of AI systems, including machine learning, natural language processing, computer vision, foundation models, and related fields, as well as the contemporary state of AI research and its applications in government or defense settings.
• Acquisition and Contract Management Expertise: Understanding of federal acquisition regulations, procurement processes, and contract oversight gained via government or industry experience. Proven experience in managing large-scale AI technology contracts (government or commercial) from initiation through execution.
• Directs, synthesizes system requirements into appropriate acquisition specifications. Coordinates the development of acquisition strategies to meet program objectives. Makes contractor source selection and assesses contractor performance during all acquisition phases, including operations. Oversees proper flow down of requirements and verification methods.
• Leadership and Strategic Thinking: Demonstrated ability to provide leadership and strategic direction in the implementation of innovative AI solutions across diverse operational environments.
• Manages and assesses progress in assigned projects/programs, including cost, schedule, and performance supporting baseline requirements, by applying program management methods and procedures.
• Project and Program Management Skills: Expertise in managing complex, multi-phase AI projects, ensuring adherence to schedules, budgets, and performance metrics.
• Ethical AI Implementation: Strong awareness of national security systems ethical considerations in AI deployment, including bias mitigation, privacy, security, and trustworthiness.
• Communication and Collaboration Skills: Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively with senior leadership, technical experts, and acquisition teams to achieve mission-critical objectives.
• Plans, organizes, and coordinates activities with functional specialists, including contracting, engineering, manufacturing, program controls, configuration/data management, test, logistics and operations support.
• Works closely and substantially with program Contracting Officer's Technical Representatives (COTRs) and prime contractors to provide leadership and ensure program objectives are achieved within stringent cost, schedule, and technical performance requirements.
• Critical Thinking and Problem-Solving: Ability to analyze complex technical and operational challenges and devise innovative solutions for AI integration and scaling within a government context.
• Enterprise Leadership: Demonstrated ability to work across an enterprise composed of diverse teams, fostering an environment of collaboration, accountability, and growth to establish and achieve goals within complex technology-driven environments.
• Demonstrated expertise in advanced multidisciplinary engineering or related engineering/technical discipline, concepts, principles, practices, standards, methods, techniques, materials, and equipment sufficient to apply experimental theories, principles, and concepts to project development, execution, and advisory services.
• Demonstrated interpersonal, organizational, and management skills to conceptualize and effectively lead complex analytic projects with limited supervision
• Demonstrated oral and written communications skills with ability to convey complex technical and programmatic issues clearly to all levels of management including senior leadership of the NRO
• Demonstrated critical thinking skills and reasoning skills in preparing analytical assessments and other written products with emphasis on clear organization.
• Knowledge of and ability to apply analytic, diagnostic, and quantitative techniques sufficient to produce authoritative analytical products, and the ability to employ new methodological approaches to analyze information
• Knowledge or previous experience of DoD and Intelligence Community (IC) organizations, missions, relevant policies, and processes
• Desired Knowledge, Skills, Abilities/Competencies:
• Advanced degree in Software Engineering, Computer Engineering/Science, Electrical Engineering, Mathematics, or related STEM discipline
• Qualifying experience may have been acquired in any public or private sector job, but will clearly demonstrate 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. 

Other Information
 

• Bachelor’s degree in Software Engineering, Computer Engineering/Science, Electrical Engineering, Mathematics, or related STEM discipline.
• Minimum four years of government acquisition experience or commercial equivalent.
• 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 DAWIA no later than 24 months after accepting this position. Individual shall maintain a minimum of 80 Continuous Learning Points every 24 months via the 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

2025 salary range for the Chantilly, VA area:

GG-15: $165,789-$195,200

**This position is a full performance 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-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 DoD 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

DoD 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 DoD 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-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.

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 Hiring@nro.mil.

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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.

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