Acquisition Program Engineer, SSC/SW

📍 Chantilly, Virginia · 🏛 Space Systems Command · 💰 $102,415–$158,322 per year · 🎓 NH 3 · 🧭 General Engineering (0801) · ⏳ Closes Nov 16, 2026 · 5 days left · 🗓 Posted Nov 9, 2026
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Job details at a glance

AgencySpace Systems Command
DepartmentDepartment of the Air Force
LocationChantilly, Virginia
Salary$102,415–$158,322 per year
GradeNH 3
ScheduleFull-time
Occupation seriesGeneral Engineering (0801)
Openings1
Hiring pathsOpen to the public
PostedNov 9, 2026
Application deadlineNov 16, 2026
Telework eligibleYes
Remote jobNo
Security clearanceSensitive Compartmented Information
Relocation expenses reimbursedYes
Promotion potentialNone
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About this job

Do not email applications. To submit your resume for this Direct Hire opportunity click here. For additional information on other USSF direct hire opportunities visit the Air Force Civilian Careers Space Force website and follow USSF on LinkedIn.

Duties

The United States Space Force (USSF) in Chantilly, VA is searching for an Acquisition Program Engineer to support SSC/SW (NH-0801-03, GS-12/13 Equivalent). Description: Join Space Systems Command as a General Engineer supporting the development and acquisition of advanced sensing capabilities that strengthen space-enabled mission outcomes. In this role, you will lead and support complex engineering projects and studies within established cost, schedule, and performance constraints, with a focus on advanced sensor acquisition, and targeting capabilities. You will work across a dynamic system-of-systems environment to translate operational needs into sound technical solutions, resolve challenging integration issues, manage technical risk, and help shape program strategies. Looking for an innovative, collaborative engineer who can bring together diverse technical and program stakeholders to achieve shared objectives. You will apply sound engineering judgment to evaluate complex problems, develop and assess alternatives, and provide clear, actionable recommendations to senior leaders. Success in this position requires the ability to manage priorities and resources, coordinate with customers and partner organizations, monitor progress, and evaluate results. Strong communication, relationship-building, and negotiation skills are essential to explaining highly technical concepts, building consensus, and advancing solutions that meet operational expectations. Ideal Candidate: The ideal candidate is an experienced engineer with a background in systems, aerospace, electronics, or a related engineering discipline, with demonstrated experience supporting the acquisition, development, integration, testing, or sustainment of complex space, airborne, sensor, or weapon-system capabilities. The candidate should be able to independently lead multidisciplinary engineering efforts; develop and manage system requirements, specifications, and performance objectives; assess technical alternatives; and provide recommendations that balance cost, schedule, performance, reliability, supportability, and technical risk. Experience integrating hardware, software, sensors, and mission systems across multiple platforms or domains is highly desirable. The candidate should be skilled in systems engineering, specialty engineering, mission assurance, lifecycle management, risk mitigation, and technical analysis. Strong written and verbal communication skills are essential for preparing technical reports, presenting briefings, coordinating with cross-functional teams, and advising leadership. Experience with advanced sensing architectures, Airborne/Space Moving Target Indication (AMTI), space systems, surveillance or reconnaissance systems, sensor integration, or similar mission areas is preferred.

Qualifications

The 0801 series has an individual occupational requirement that must be met and can be viewed here. In addition to the above requirements you can view the experience level requirements here. Please scroll down to the 4th section titled Professional and Scientific Positions.

Evaluations

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs): Your qualifications will be evaluated on the basis of your level of knowledge, skills, abilities and/or competencies as related to the series and grade of the position being filled. Final qualifications determinations will be assessed based on OPM's General Schedule Qualifications Standards found here: Interviews: You will be contacted by e-mail and/or telephone if your application is identified as qualifying for a position being filled. An interview may be conducted. If interviewed, you will be asked to address the same knowledge, skills, abilities and/or competencies used to initially qualify your application for the position.

How to apply

Do not email applications. To submit your resume for this Direct Hire opportunity click here. PLEASE NOTE: It is the applicant's responsibility to verify that information entered and/or uploaded, (i.e., resume) is received, accurate, and submitted by the closing date. You may verify your documents have been processed with your application package successfully. You can access your USAJOBS account to do so by clicking here. Uploaded documents may take up to one hour to clear the virus scan.

Applications are handled only on the official announcement. This page is a readable copy of the public announcement data — the official version controls if anything differs.

Apply on USAJobs (official) ↗

Required documents

Resume: You must submit a resume that may NOT exceed two pages, and the font size should not be smaller than 10 pts. You will not be considered for this vacancy if your resume exceeds two pages or is illegible/unreadable. Do NOT include photographs, inappropriate material, inappropriate content, nor personal information such as age, gender, religion, social security number, etc., on your resume. If the resume you submit contains such information you will not be considered for this vacancy. Your resume must provide: Personal information - your full name, email and mailing addresses, phone number Education information - the name of the school and the dates you attended Work experience - paid and unpaid work with the following information: Job title Detailed duties and accomplishments Employer's name and address Supervisor's name and phone number Starting and ending dates (If actual dates are not known, provide your best-estimated timeframes.) Hours per week Salary, if applicable Other qualifications - skills, certifications/licenses, honors, awards, special accomplishments, and job-related training courses College Transcripts (if applicable): Please see the Education section of this announcement for detailed information about transcripts.

What to expect next

For additional information on other USSF direct hire opportunities visit the Air Force Civilian Careers Space Force website and follow USSF on LinkedIn.

Other information

Employed Annuitants (Reemployed Annuitants): Applicants in receipt of an annuity based on civilian employment in the Federal Service are subject to the DoD Policy on The Employment of Annuitants. Click here for more information. Disabled veteran leave is available to a Federal employee hired on/after 5 Nov 2016, who is a veteran with a service-connected disability rating of 30% or more. For more information, click here.

Frequently asked questions

How much does this Acquisition Program Engineer, SSC/SW job pay?

The announcement lists a salary of $102,415–$158,322 per year (NH 3).

When is the last day to apply?

Applications close on Nov 16, 2026 — 5 days from today.

Where is this job located?

This position is located in Chantilly, Virginia with the Space Systems Command.

How do I apply?

Applications are submitted through the official announcement on USAJobs. Use the Apply button on this page to go to the official posting — this site never takes applications itself.

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Data: USAJobs (U.S. Office of Personnel Management), retrieved 2026-11-11 · Announcement SF-FY27-6S-NH-0801-3-SPLSH · Official announcement. FederalJobs is unofficial and is not affiliated with OPM or the agency.
Acquisition Program Engineer, SSC/SW
Nov 16, 2026 deadlineApply