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Program Analyst

Missile Defense Agency

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

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At a glance

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

Olive lists jobs from US employers, including remote roles you can work from the United States.

Requirements

Credentials this posting asks for.

Advanced Program Management Certification, required

Job overview

The Missile Defense Agency seeks a Program Analyst at the NH-0343-4 broadband level. The incumbent advises leadership on program cost, schedule, and performance across the Missile Defense System, coordinates stakeholders, and supports acquisition and program execution. The role also develops workload priorities and acquisition strategies, improves operating processes, and prepares reports, briefings, and testimony for Congress and other external stakeholders.

Skills & qualifications

RequiredNice to have

Skills

Acquisition Regulations, requiredWeapons Systems, requiredMissile Defense System, requiredAcquisition Planning, requiredProgram Baselines, requiredProgram Management, required

Qualifications

One Year Specialized Experience, requiredAdvanced Program Management Certification, required80 Continuous Learning Points Every Two Years, required

Full job description

Summary

This position is part of the Department of War (DoW), Missile Defense Agency (MDA). The incumbent will be responsible for: Advises leadership on all matters related to program cost, schedule, and performance across the Missile Defense System (MDS) to provide comprehensive situational awareness.

Duties

This is a Direct Hire Authority (DHA) solicitation utilizing the DHA for Acq Demo Business and Technical Management to recruit and appoint qualified candidates to positions in the competitive service. As a Program Analyst at the NH-0343-4 broadband level, some of your typical work assignments may include: Expertly advises leadership on all matters related to program cost, schedule, and performance across theMissile Defense System (MDS) to provide comprehensive situational awareness. Coordinates with a widerange of internal and external stakeholders to ensure program requirements are properly identified, budgeted,acquired, and tracked to completion. Develops and adjusts workload priorities, acquisition strategies, andinnovative solutions to keep programs on or ahead of schedule while managing and eliminating risks. Identifies concepts and directs the development of standardized processes, realignment of functions, andimproved operating concepts to increase the efficiency and effectiveness of operations. Researches, analyzes,and drafts comprehensive reports, briefings, and testimony for Congress and other external stakeholders insupport of the agency's goals and vision. Qualifications

You may qualify at the NH 04 Broadband Level, if you fulfill the following qualifications: One year of specialized experience equivalent to the NH-03/GS-13 grade level in the Federal service as as listed below and must meet 2 of the 3 specialized experience listed below to be qualified: Experience on acquisition regulations, policies, and requirements for complex weapons systems in order to identify problems, develop innovative solutions, and recommend courses of action. In-depth knowledge of the MDS, regulations, and technology to ensure program status, technical issues, and on-going activities align with projections and plans. Experience with creating baselines for major defense programs, writing Acquisition Plans / Strategies, J&As, Job Aids and briefing templates. Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

Education

Substitution of education may not be used in lieu of specialized experience for this grade level. How You Will Be Evaluated

We will review your resume and supporting documents, to ensure you meet the basic qualification requirements. We will evaluate each applicant who meets the basic qualifications on the information provided and evaluate your relevant work experiences as it relates to fundamental competencies, identified below, required for this position. Your qualifications will be evaluated on the following competencies (knowledge, skills, abilities and other characteristics): Traditional rating and ranking of applications does not apply to this vacancy. Your application (resume and supporting documentation) will be evaluated to determine if you meet the minimum qualifications required as listed on the announcement under qualification requirements. Veterans Preference: If you are entitled to veterans preference, you should indicate the type of veterans' preference you are claiming on your resume. Your veterans' preference entitlement will be verified by the employing agency. For information on entitlement see http://www.fedshirevets.gov/job/vetpref/index.aspx Appointment of Military Spouses (5 CFR 315.612) (NonComp Mil Sp): To receive this preference, you must choose to apply using the " Appointment of Military Spouses (5 CFR 315.612) (NonComp Mil Sp)" eligibility. If you are claiming Military Spouse eligibility and are determined to be Well Qualified (score of 85 or above) for the position, you will be referred to the hiring manager. Information and required documentation for claiming Military Spouse eligibility may be found at the General Applicant Information and Definitions link below. Appointment of Department of Defense Spouses (NonComp Civ Sp): Are you the spouse of a current Department of Defense, Department of State, or intelligence community employee who is being transferred in the interest of the Government from one official station within the Department to another within the Department for permanent duty? Supporting Documentation: You are required to submit proof of marriage AND permanent change of station (PCS) orders: spouse's PCS orders (showing you as a dependent) and/or copy of marriage certificate. If you are a current or previous Federal employee, please include your most recent SF-50. Other Information

Other Notes: Salary Ranges are the following unless statutory/regulatory rates prevail. For the Fort Belvoir, VA and/or Dahlgren Location: $143,913 to $197,200 (includes 33.94% locality). ACQUISITION POSITION: This position requires Acquisition Workforce Level Advanced in Program Management Certification prior to hiring is not essential but must be accomplished within 48 months after entry into this position. DAWIA (Back to Basics) Certification: NON-CAP: Position requires DoD Acquisition Program Management, Advanced certification. Certification prior to hiring is not essential but must be accomplished within 48 months after entry into this position. Selectee must also achieve 80 hours of Continuous Learning Points (CLPs) every 2-years. Click here for more details and Resources. RE-EMPLOYED ANNUITANT: This position DOES NOT meet criteria for re-employed annuitant. The DoD criteria for hiring Re-employed Annuitants can be found at: https://www.esd.whs.mil/Portals/54/Documents/DD/issuances/140025/1400.25-V300.pdf. All applicants must meet qualifications and eligibility criteria by the closing date of the announcement. Males born after 12-31-59 must be registered or exempt from Selective Service (see Who Needs to Register | Selective Service System : Selective Service System (sss.gov)) This position is subject to an initial drug screening, and random testing thereafter. A negative drug test result must be received by HR within 30 calendar days after the EOD (i.e., start date). The selectee's inability successfully pass; or refusal to conduct the test may result in: 1) the tentative or FJO being withdrawn during the recruitment process; or 2) subsequently being removed from Federal service for failure to meet a condition of employment. You may be required to sign a "Drug Test Statement of Understanding" if you are selected for this position.

How this job compares

Set against the 1,016 open Program Analyst jobs on Olive Jobs, counted November 10, 2026.

Pay
  • This posting$144–197K/yr
  • Virginia median$95–145K/yr109 salary ranges
  • US median$90–131K/yr693 salary ranges

This range's midpoint, $171K, is 40% above the Virginia median midpoint ($122K) — in the top quarter of Program Analyst salary ranges in Virginia.

Openings
Olive Jobs lists 209 open Program Analyst jobs in Virginia and 1,016 across the US. 2% of them nationwide are listed as remote or flexible.
Experience
This posting asks for at least 1 year of experience; Program Analyst postings that state a minimum ask for 3 years at the median (920 postings).
Education
337 of the 1,016 open Program Analyst jobs (33%) ask for a bachelor's degree or higher.

Counted across the open, public US postings on Olive Jobs on November 10, 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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