Deputy Branch Chief, Narrowband SATCOM Space Segment, SYD 88/NX

About the role

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.

What you will do

• The United States Space Force (USSF) in San Diego, CA is searching for Deputy Branch Chief for the Narrowband SATCOM Space Segment to support SYD 88/NX (NH-0346-03, GS 12/13 equivalent).
• Description: The primary purpose of this position is to serve as an Acquisition Program Manager and the Deputy Branch Chief for the Mobile User Objective System (MUOS) Space Segment Branch (SSC SYD 88/NXS) within the Satellite Communication and Position, Navigation, and Timing (SCPNT) Portfolio.
• In this critical leadership role, the incumbent directs and supports the activities of the Materiel Leader (ML) and Civilian/Senior Materiel Leader (SML) to advance SCPNT Portfolio Acquisition Executive (PAE) objectives.
• Operating with a high degree of independence, the employee is responsible for conceiving and executing solutions to highly complex acquisition and engineering challenges, analyzing project findings, and guiding the technical and programmatic efforts of junior team members.
• Work is executed autonomously, with completed initiatives reviewed primarily for feasibility, compatibility, and overall mission effectiveness in delivering critical space-based capabilities.
• At the core of this portfolio is the MUOS Service Life Extension (SLE) program-a high-visibility, $3B ACAT 1B acquisition effort designed to sustain the DoW's premier Narrowband satellite communication system.
• As Deputy, you will oversee the Phase 2 Development and Production contract awarded to Boeing in June 2026.
• This Fixed-Price Incentive Firm Target (FPIF) contract spans a 78-month base period to develop, manufacture, test, and launch two new geostationary Space Vehicles (SV 6 and SV 7) by 2031 and 2032.
• These satellites will integrate advanced Wideband Code Division Multiple Access (WCDMA) technology to extend secure, worldwide Ultra-High Frequency (UHF) SATCOM services for mobile and fixed-site warfighters, ensuring seamless continuity of operations for U.S. and coalition partners.
• Acquisition experience, actively embedded within a Program Office (Government or Industry).
• Demonstrated expertise with Planning, Programming, Budgeting, and Execution (PPBE) processes, to include leading in-depth program funding and execution reviews.
• Outstanding ability to synthesize complex programmatic and financial data from multiple sources to deliver clear, actionable recommendations.
• Skills in determining resource requirements, setting organizational priorities, monitoring progress, and evaluating performance metrics.
• Knowledge of program management, contractual oversight, and organizational processes needed to plan and execute high-value research support contracts.
• Ability to advise senior leaders, program managers, and technical stakeholders on program execution, contract strategy, and issue resolution.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively, exercise sound judgment to resolve complex issues while sustaining productive stakeholder relationships.

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.

Documents you must provide

• 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.

Additional 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.