Advanced Satellite Communication Technologies R&D Program Lead (RVBYC) | Air Force Research Laboratory

Job Overview

This job announcement will be accepting candidate submissions until 21 February 2024.

NOTE: Candidates must use MM/DD/YYYY date format for experience entries on their resume and must use a naming convention for all documents provided later in this announcement.

The Geospace Communications & Navigation Branch, RVBY seeks to hire an Entry- to Mid-level, Advanced Satellite Communication Technologies R&D Program Lead in Albuquerque, NM.

Position duties include, but are not limited to:

• Lead the procurement and strategic oversight of research and development initiatives within the optical communications domain, ensuring effective collaboration with prime contractors, small enterprises, and educational institutions, in alignment with AFRL/RV guidelines. Applicants must possess proven Program Management experience specific to the Department of Defense (DoD).
• Demonstrate a profound understanding of satellite communications, particularly in contexts relevant to DoD applications, backed by relevant technical experience in fields critical to the role, including optics, lasers, digital and electronic communications, computational electromagnetics, digital signal processing, and information theory. The role requires candidates to be engineers or physicists with an advanced degree, specializing in Electrical Engineering, Physics, or a closely related field.
• Manage the planning, execution, budgeting, and administration of R&D contracts and agreements, ensuring compliance with AFRL/RV policies. This entails working in concert with the technical area lead and branch program manager, highlighting the need for applicants with extensive experience in managing multi-million-dollar portfolios and programs.
• Serve as a liaison to OSD, DoD agencies (e.g., Army, Navy, DARPA), and other national and international organizations, offering expert advice and coordination in relevant technical fields. This role demands high-level briefing skills, as incumbents will frequently present to DoD and other agency officials.
• Navigate shifting priorities within the Department of the Air Force, fostering a dynamic, team-based work environment. Responsibilities include leading a diverse team of contractors, civilians, and military personnel, requiring exceptional leadership and team management skills.
• Act as the primary point of contact for a variety of contractual agreements (SBIRs, STTRs, OTAs, etc.), ensuring they align with strategic goals and provide technical oversight. This includes the review and assessment of technical programs to ensure they meet set objectives and standards.
• Engage in and sometimes travel for technical interchange meetings, program reviews, and professional development sessions, underscoring the need for adaptability and commitment to continuous learning.
• Support program management tasks including operational reporting, workforce development, and policy-compliant training initiatives.
• Assess performance and foster the operational efficiency of Air Force systems, integrating advanced R&D efforts to anticipate and fulfill future Air Force and Space Force needs.
• Prepare, review, and deliver briefings and decision-making documents, informing AFRL and the broader research community about program statuses and advancements.
• Facilitate the collection, analysis, and presentation of data from terrestrial and flight experiments, underscoring the role's emphasis on empirical research and data-driven decision-making.
• Actively participate in hands-on laboratory and field experiments, demonstrating a solid practical understanding of electrical engineering and physics principles.

Note: Eligibility for a salary increase for current AFRL employees is contingent upon the assumption of expanded responsibilities and the demonstration of advanced expertise in program management, satellite communications, and technical leadership within the DoD context.

Telework

Yes, this position is eligible for telework opportunities; as determined by agency policy

Remote Work (CONUS)

No, this position is not approved for remote work.

Required Qualifications

• US Citizenship
• Must possess a professional engineering (S&E) or relevant physics degree from an accredited academic institution.
• Applicants with BS must have at least (5-10) years of specialized experience in Optical Communications / Optical Satellite Networking
• Must be able to obtain and maintain a TS/SCI security clearance

Desired Qualifications

• Experience of managing contracts
• Experience working with or within the Department of Defense research community
• Master's Degree or Ph.D with 3–7 Years of experience in Satellite Optical Communications highly preferred

When uploading documents, please use the naming convention below:

Resume: Req No xxxxx_Last Name_First Name_Resume
Transcript: Req No xxxxx_Last Name_First Name_Transcript