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Deputy Director, Joint Sensitive Space Staff

United States Space Force Forces

Chantilly, VAFull-time$144–197K/yrPosted today

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At a glance

Compensation
$144–197K/yr
Location
Chantilly, VA
Schedule
Full-time
Work Authorization
Not specified

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Job overview

The Deputy Director, Joint Sensitive Space Staff, will partner with the Director to lead strategic planning, execution, and protection of sensitive space portfolios at the Space Warfighting Analysis Center. The role translates national security objectives into space operations policies and program requirements, oversees performance and risk, and advises senior leaders on resources and budgets. It also involves collaboration with Space Force, DoD, and intelligence partners on program protection and cybersecurity.

Skills & qualifications

RequiredNice to have

Skills

Security Policy ExecutionSystems EngineeringProgram ProtectionDefense PlanningProgram ManagementDefense AcquisitionData AnalyticsData VisualizationCommunicationTechnical WritingTeam LeadershipMentoringSpace OperationsCybersecurity

Full job description

Summary

Do not email application. 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) Space Force Command (SPC) Chantilly, VA is searching for a Deputy Director, Joint Sensitive Space Staff for the Space Warfighting Analysis Center (NH-0343-04, GS 14/15 equivalent). Description: Are you ready to shape the future of national security in the space domain? As the Deputy Director, Joint Sensitive Space Staff, you will serve as a recognized subject matter expert and strategic leader at the forefront of the United States Space Force's (USSF) Space Warfighting Analysis Center (SWAC). In this high-impact, NH-04 level role based in Chantilly, VA, you will partner directly with the Director to lead the strategic planning, execution, and protection of our nation's most sensitive space portfolios. You are someone who thrives on solving complex, multi-dimensional problems, excels at guiding multidisciplinary teams, and is passionate about establishing program protection policies that defend critical space assets from emerging global threats. If you are a visionary leader who wants to bridge the gap between advanced technology, acquisition strategy, and national security policy, this is the mission you've been waiting for! On a daily basis, you will drive the strategic vision of the JS3 staff by translating high-level national security objectives into actionable space operations policies and program requirements. You will oversee program performance, manage risks, and advise senior leadership on resource allocation and budget decisions. Your day will involve collaborating closely with internal Space Force elements, the Department of Defense, and external intelligence partners to ensure robust, end-to-end program protection and cybersecurity. Whether you are conducting risk assessments, implementing advanced data analytics to optimize program performance, crafting persuasive briefings for high-level decisionmakers, or mentoring the next generation of space defense leaders, your work will directly safeguard U.S. and allied interests in the space domain.ac Ideal Candidate: The ideal candidate is a visionary leader with a deep technical and strategic background in national security and space operations. You must possess: Professional Experience & Background: Space Systems & Program Protection: Mastery of professional security concepts, principles, and policy execution, with expert knowledge of systems engineering practices and program protection methodologies specifically pertaining to space systems. Program Management & Acquisition: Comprehensive knowledge of defense planning, program management, and standard defense acquisition regulations, practices, and engineering disciplines (supporting sustainment, modification, and maintenance). Leadership & Mentorship: Demonstrated experience leading, guiding, and mentoring multidisciplinary teams of scientists, engineers, and analysts in high-stakes environments. Core Competencies: Data-Driven Decision Making: Ability to leverage advanced data analytics, identify trends or anomalies, and use data visualization/storytelling to drive policy and resource decisions. Expert Collaboration: Exceptional communication skills (oral and written) with the ability to represent the directorate in high-level DoD, USSF, and intelligence community forums, building strong inter-agency partnerships Key Skills and Abilities: 1. Mastery of a wide range of professional security concepts, principles, practices, standards, methods, and policy to project development, execution, and advisory services. 2. Expert knowledge of systems engineering practices and procedures as they pertain to space systems and program protection principles, concepts and policies to oversee significant projects. 3. Comprehensive knowledge of the principles of planning/program management; of standard acquisition regulations, practices, and procedures; and of engineering disciplines used in support of sustainment, modification, and maintenance programs. 4. Ability to communicate clearly, concisely, and with technical accuracy, both orally and in writing, as well as work in a professional manner with peers, management, contractors, academia, and other agencies Qualifications

The 0343 series does not have an individual occupational requirement that must be met. You can view the experience level requirements here. Please scroll down to the 3rd section titled Administrative and Management Positions.

How You Will Be Evaluated

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. 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.

How this job compares

Set against the 10,762 open Program Management jobs on Olive Jobs, counted November 3, 2026.

Pay
  • This posting$144–197K/yr
  • Virginia median$139–200K/yr459 salary ranges
  • US median$127–201K/yr7,751 salary ranges

This range's midpoint, $171K, is close to the Virginia median midpoint ($171K) — in the middle half of Program Management salary ranges in Virginia.

Openings
Olive Jobs lists 698 open Program Management jobs in Virginia and 10,762 across the US. 5% of them nationwide are listed as remote or flexible.
Hiring the most in Virginia
Experience
Program Management postings that state a minimum ask for 7 years of experience at the median; the middle half ask for 5 to 10 years (9,219 postings).
Education
4,200 of the 10,762 open Program Management jobs (39%) ask for a bachelor's degree or higher.

Counted across the open, public US postings on Olive Jobs on November 3, 2026. Pay medians are the middle values of the low ends and of the high ends of postings that list both ends of a range in the same cadence (a yearly salary or an hourly rate); a range's midpoint is halfway between its ends. Pay and experience figures resting on fewer than 20 postings are left out.

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