Department of Defense

Deputy Assistant Secretary of War for Strategic, Space, and Intelligence Portfolio Management

Pentagon, Arlington, Virginia Full time

Deputy Assistant Secretary of War for Strategic, Space, and Intelligence Portfolio Management

Department: Department of Defense

Location(s): Pentagon, Arlington, Virginia

Salary Range: $186207 - $228000 Per Year

Job Summary: The Deputy Assistant Secretary of War for Strategic, Space, and Intelligence Portfolio Management DASW (SSIPM) is responsible for supporting the Under Secretary of war for Acquisition and Sustainment (USW(A&S)) in execution of assigned responsibilities as Principal Staff Assistant for: Common Data Link; Unified Platform and Joint Cyber Command and Control Global Positioning System; Positioning, Navigation and Timing' Missile Defense; and Space and national Intelligence.

Major Duties:

  • Major duties and responsibilities include, but are not limited to: Manages and analyzes assigned capability portfolios across the Department to assess cost, schedule, and performance risks to Strategic Space and National Intelligence portfolios. Leveraging Department-wide data to identify capability gaps across Services and working with Services, the Office of the Under Secretary of War for Research and Engineering (USW(R&E)), and other organizations to address these gaps. Responsibilities include C4; Missile Defense; and Space and National Intelligence. Executes Secretariat responsibility and support to USW(A&S) as co-chair for both the Missile Defense Executive Board and the PNT Executive Committee to integrate multiple disciplines into a cohesive whole across science and technology, requirements, acquisition, development, test and evaluation, and sustainment to equip the applicable Department organizations. Directs the professional staff and oversees the management of the activities of the Office of DASW(SSIPM). Ensures staff is individually trained and experienced such that they are recognized as the Department's primary Acquisition Corps authorities on the planning, management, system engineering, acquisition strategies, and technical content of major acquisition program portfolios. Works closely with relevant Program Executive Officers to promote sound planning and management of assigned programs. Collaborates with key executive staff members in OUSW(A&S), other Office of the Secretary of War (OSW) offices and agencies, the Joint Staff and the Services on matters involving assigned strategic space and national intelligence portfolios, including technical, cost, and schedule issues that might affect the availability of capabilities. Serves as the OUSW(A&S) lead for Space Governance, including interfacing with the Department's Space Architecture lead and execution organization. Guides technology investments in support of system acquisition and sustainment; reforms and improves Department-wide decision making for resource allocation; develops and institutes adaptive acquisition framework options for the Services and Agencies to deliver capabilities on accelerated, but risk-balanced, timelines, over $4 billion annually. Supports the Department's strategic reviews as directed with analysis of assigned portfolios and programs capabilities and gaps. This includes recommendations on tradeoffs among programs in portfolios. Assesses strategic space and national intelligence portfolio performance in support of OUSW(A&S) participation in OSW Program and Budget Reviews and in support of Congressional reporting requirements. Prepares studies and analyses as required to support Congressional requirements and to enhance the performance of aforementioned duties.

Qualifications: Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution. Candidates will not be hired based on their race, sex, color, religion, or national origin. To meet the minimum qualification requirements for this position, you must show that you possess the Executive Core Qualifications (ECQ), and Technical Qualifications (TQ) related to this position within your resume - NOT TO EXCEED 2 PAGES. Resumes over the 2-page limit will be disqualified. Please see "Required Documents" section below for all resume formatting requirements. Your resume should include examples of experience, education, and accomplishments applicable to the qualification(s). If your resume does not reflect demonstrated evidence of these qualifications, you may not receive consideration for the position. Do NOT submit a separate narrative statement specifically addressing the Executive Core Qualifications (ECQs) or the Technical Qualifications (TQs). TECHNICAL QUALIFICATIONS (TQs): Your resume should demonstrate accomplishments that would satisfy the technical qualifications: TQ 1: Demonstrated knowledge and managerial competence in major defense acquisition programs, including the ability to interpret acquisition policy, apply data driven analysis, and address complex portfolio management issues across relevant technical and managerial disciplines. TQ 2: Demonstrated ability to translate broad national security objectives/policies into specific programmatic guidance for portfolios including programs such as those involving space, Command, Control, Communications, Computers, missile defense, and national intelligence. EXECUTIVE CORE QUALIFICATIONS (ECQs): In addition to the Technical Qualification Requirements listed above, all new entrants into the Senior Executive Service (SES) under a career appointment will be assessed for executive competency against the following five mandatory ECQs. If your 2-page resume does not reflect demonstrated evidence of the ECQs and TQs, you may not receive further consideration for the position. There are five ECQs: ECQ 1: Commitment to the Rule of Law and the Principles of the American Founding - This core qualification requires a demonstrated knowledge of the American system of government, commitment to uphold the Constitution and the rule of law, and commitment to serve the American people. Sub-Competencies: Knowledge of the American System of Government: Demonstrates understanding and appreciation of the American system of government, including the Constitution, the Bill of Rights, separation of powers, federalism, and the historical development of the American Nation. Commitment to the Rule of Law: Upholds the principles of the American Founding, including equality under the law and democratic self-government. Ensures the law is applied fairly and consistently. Civic-Mindedness: Stays up-to-date on important developments in American government and aligns organizational objectives and practices with presidential and public interests. Demonstrates a commitment to serve the American people. ECQ 2: Driving Efficiency - This core qualification involves the demonstrated ability to strategically and efficiently manage resources, budget effectively, cut wasteful spending, and pursue efficiency through process and technological upgrades. Sub-Competencies: Fiscal Responsibility: Strategically manages, allocates and monitors financial resources. Aligns priorities and initiatives to justify budget proposals. Monitors expenditures, cuts unnecessary costs, and uses cost-benefit analysis to set priorities. Managing Resources: Manages resources efficiently and effectively based on current and projected organizational goals, skills, budget considerations, and staffing needs. Leveraging Technology: Explores emerging technology and potential applications. Incorporates technology to enhance efficiency and achieve results. Ensures access to and security of technology systems. ECQ 3: Merit and Competence - This core qualification involves the demonstrated knowledge, ability and technical competence to effectively and reliably produce work that is of exceptional quality. Sub-Competencies: Technical Skill: Possesses the requisite technical knowledge and subject matter expertise to consistently produce timely, high-quality work. Is considered a strong contributor in his or her domain. Problem Solving: Engages in critical and data-driven thinking when diagnosing root causes and evaluating options. Identifies and promptly addresses the most pressing, high-priority problems. Agility and Resilience: Anticipates and adapts to change, new ideas, new information, and new conditions. Is committed to continuous improvement. Deals effectively with pressure and remains optimistic and persistent, even under adversity. ECQ 4: Leading People - This core qualification involves the demonstrated ability to lead and inspire a group toward meeting the organization's vision, mission, and goals, and to drive a high-performance, high-accountability culture. This includes, when necessary, the ability to lead people through change and to hold individuals accountable. Sub-Competencies: Accountability: Ensures that employees are appropriately recruited, selected, appraised, trained, and retained. Takes swift action to address performance- or conduct-based deficiencies in employees supervised. Holds self and others accountable for measurable high-quality, timely, and cost-effective results. Developing Others: Recognizes and rewards outstanding achievement in others. Develops the ability of others to perform and contribute to the organization by providing opportunities to learn through formal and informal methods. Cultivates a dynamic environment in which employees are not afraid to make mistakes. Executive Judgement: Makes well-reasoned, timely, and effective decisions and considers short- and long-term implications. Communicates effectively with stakeholders across all organizational levels, sharing and guarding information where appropriate. ECQ 5: Achieving Results - This core qualification involves the demonstrated ability to achieve both individual and organizational results, and to align results to stated goals from superiors. Sub-Competencies: Operational Mindset: Effectively translates strategies into actionable steps and processes. Partners effectively with stakeholders to drive adoption and addresses blockers to ensure successful implementation. Innovation: Applies creativity to improving products and processes, challenges convention, takes measured risks, and considers ways to simplify and remove unnecessary requirements. Strategic Thinking: Formulates objectives and priorities and implements plans consistent with the long-term interests of the organization by evaluating conditions, resources, capabilities, constraints, and organizational goals and values. Note: If you are a member of the SES or have been certified through successful participation in an OPM approved SES Candidate Development Program (SESCDP), or have SES reinstatement eligibility, you must attach proof (e.g., SF-50, Certification by OPM's SES Qualifications Review Board (QRB)) of your eligibility for noncompetitive appointment to the SES. See "Required Documents" section for additional information.

How to Apply: To apply for this position, you must complete this application and submit any required documents specified in the Required Documents section and submit by 11:59 PM (EST) on the closing date of the announcement to receive consideration. To begin, click Apply to access the online application. You will need to be logged into your USAJOBS account to apply. If you do not have a USAJOBS account, you will need to create one before beginning the application. Follow the prompts to select and upload your résumé and/or other required documents to be included with your application package. You will have the opportunity to upload additional documents to include in your application before it is submitted. Your uploaded documents may take several hours to clear the virus scan process. After acknowledging you have reviewed your application package, complete the "Include Personal Information" section as you deem appropriate and click to continue with the application process. You will be taken to the online application which you must complete in order to apply for the position. Complete the online application, verify the required documentation is included with your application package, and submit the application. It is applicant's responsibility to verify that information entered and uploaded, (i.e., resume and other required documents) is complete, accurate, and submitted by the closing date. Human Resources will not modify or change any part of your application. Application packages will NOT be accepted via mail. Due to security processes, mail delivery takes approximately 2-3 weeks to process at which time the vacancy announcement will be closed, and no further consideration will be given to additional application packages.

Application Deadline: 2026-05-07