Deputy Principal Assistant Deputy Administrator (DPADA) for Research Development Test & Evaluation

Deputy Principal Assistant Deputy Administrator (DPADA) for Research Development Test & Evaluation

Department: Department of Energy

Location(s): Washington, District of Columbia

Salary Range: $199172 - $228000 Per Year

Job Summary: NNSA - building careers while securing the future through engineering, science, and national security in an environment where your contributions make a difference. The Office of Research, Development, Test, and Evaluation (RDT&E) stewards the science, technology, and engineering capabilities that underpin our confidence in the nuclear deterrent.

Major Duties:

• As the Deputy Principal Assistant Deputy Administrator (DPADA) for Research Development Test & Evaluation you will have the following duties: Leads the development and advancement of U.S. RDT&E capabilities crucial for the design, certification, and assessment of a safe, secure, and effective nuclear deterrent. Ensures these efforts are strategically aligned with and responsive to the Stockpile Stewardship Management Plan, the RDT&E Strategic Framework, the DOE Strategic Plan, the NNSA Strategic Vision, and Congressional Budget Justification. Strategically strengthens science, research, technology, and engineering capabilities across the entire Nuclear Security Enterprise (NSE) in support of the 'OneNNSA' vision. Fosters collaborative partnerships across internal and external organizations, actively contributing to NNSA governance, eliminating duplication and inefficiencies, and leading transformative enterprise-wide initiatives. Drives continuous improvement in RDT&E quality and efficiency through robust programmatic and technical integration. Ensures all RDT&E activities are meticulously planned and executed in accordance with Office Management & Execution Plans and fully supported by the Congressional Budget Request. Accelerates the transition of critical RDT&E technologies, ensuring their readiness at appropriate Technical Readiness Levels (TRL) and Manufacturing Readiness Levels (MRL). This supports Stockpile Management and Production Modernization activities and rapidly advances capabilities to meet Department of Defense (DoD) requirements and counter emerging national security threats. Shapes and implements a cohesive organizational vision for NA-11 that seamlessly integrates key strategic goals, priorities, and values. Proactively anticipates and responds to evolving challenges, fostering a culture of innovation and implementing adaptive solutions from incremental enhancements to significant strategic shifts. Balances continuity with necessary change, consistently driving improvements in service and program performance, and cultivating a transparent, collaborative, and creative work environment that maintains steadfast program focus even amidst adversity. Establishes and executes human capital strategies that maximize employee potential, foster an inclusive and high-performing workplace, and uphold the highest ethical standards. Connects organizational elements horizontally and vertically, ensuring robust collaboration, effective conflict resolution, and full employee participation. Oversees the development and implementation of performance management systems that align individual goals with NA-11's mission, provide constructive feedback, ensure realistic appraisals, and hold employees accountable. Leads efforts to recruit, retain, and develop a diverse and skilled workforce, reflecting national demographics, to accomplish organizational objectives while championing workforce diversity, workplace inclusion, and equal employment opportunity. Directs the comprehensive assessment, analysis, acquisition, and administration of human, financial, material, and information resources, ensuring optimal stewardship and public trust to achieve NA-11's mission. Leverages advanced technology and data analytics to optimize processes and enhance evidence-based decision-making. Manages and executes the operating budget, including the preparation of meticulous budget requests with thorough justifications and the strategic allocation of resources. Cultivates and maintains robust relationships with a broad spectrum of internal and external stakeholders, actively soliciting and integrating diverse feedback to strengthen support and foster open dialogue. Serves as a primary advocate and negotiator, persuasively explaining and justifying NA-11's initiatives and decisions to various audiences. Proactively develops and leverages professional networks across relevant organizations, demonstrating acute awareness of the intergovernmental and interagency dynamics that influence the mission and operations of NA-11.

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 Mandatory Technical Qualifications (MTQ) related to this position within your resume - NOT TO EXCEED 2 PAGES. Resumes over the 2-page limit, will not be reviewed beyond page 2 or may be disqualified. 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. Please DO NOT submit separate documents addressing the ECQs or MTQs. Only your resume capped at two (2) pages will be accepted and considered. Any additional documents submitted will not be accepted. MANDATORY TECHNICAL QUALIFICATIONS (MTQs): Your resume should demonstrate accomplishments that would satisfy the technical qualifications. There are three MTQs. MTQ 1: Describe your experience leading and managing a complex, multi-year Research, Development, Test & Evaluation (RDT&E) program within a national security or highly regulated environment. Specifically, address how you ensured strategic alignment with overarching organizational missions, managed budgetary requirements across diverse technical portfolios, and utilized program management information systems (PMIS) to drive decision-making and transparency. MTQ 2: The NNSA's RDT&E mission requires expert professional knowledge across various hard sciences and/or engineering disciplines. Provide a detailed overview of your scientific or engineering background and how it has directly enabled you to provide authoritative technical advice, evaluate complex scientific programs, and contribute to strategic technical direction within a high-consequence environment, particularly concerning nuclear security or related fields. MTQ 3: The NNSA's responsibilities are integral to the broader U.S. National Security Enterprise, encompassing stockpile stewardship, nonproliferation, counterterrorism, and naval nuclear propulsion. Discuss your understanding of these interconnected national security missions and provide examples from your experience where you have strategically integrated R&D activities or program management decisions to directly advance and protect the national security interests of the United States. EXECUTIVE CORE QUALIFICATIONS (ECQs): In addition to the Mandatory 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 MTQs, you may not receive further consideration for the position. There are five ECQs: 1: Commitment to the Rule of Law and the Principles of the American Founding: 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. 2: Driving Efficiency: Demonstrated ability to strategically and efficiently manage resources, budget effectively, cut wasteful spending, and pursue efficiency through process and technological upgrades. 3: Merit and Competence: Demonstrated knowledge, ability, and technical competence to effectively and reliably produce work that is of exceptional quality. 4: Leading People: 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. 5: Achieving Results: Demonstrated ability to achieve both individual and organizational results, and to align results to stated goals from superiors. 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 do not need to respond to the ECQs. Instead, you should attach proof (e.g., SF-50, Certification by OPM's SES Qualifications Review Board (QRB)) of your eligibility for noncompetitive appointment to the SES.

How to Apply: Please read the entire announcement and all the instructions before you begin an application. To apply for this position, you must complete the initial online application, to include submission of the required documentation specified in the Required Documents section. A complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (EST) on the announcement closing date to receive consideration. Faxed or e-mailed applications and/or resumes will not be accepted. Requests for extensions will not be granted. All statements made in this application are subject to investigation and any false or dishonest answer to any question may be grounds for disqualification and loss of consideration. If your resume does not support the responses in your application questionnaire, or if you fail to submit required documentation before the vacancy closes, you may be rated 'ineligible' or 'not qualified'. The application process is as follows: You must have a login.gov account to sign into USAJOBS: USAJOBS Help Center - How to create a login.gov account To begin the application process in USAJOBS, click the Apply Online button. Answer the questions presented in the application and attach all required and supporting documentation. You must click the Submit Application button prior to 11:59 pm (ET) on the announcement closing date. You may update your application, including supporting documentation, at any time during the announcement open period by returning to your USAJOBS account, select Update Application: USAJOBS - Login Gov Acknowledgement. This option will no longer be available once the announcement has closed. To verify the status of your application, during and after the announcement open period, log into your USAJOBS account; applications will appear on the Welcome screen. The Application Status will appear along with the date your application was last updated. For information on what each application status means, visit: USAJOBS Help Center - How to see your application and job status. If you need help with login.gov or USAJOBS (e.g., account access, Resume Builder) visit the USAJOBS Help Center. If you experience difficulty applying on USAJOBS, after clicking the Apply Online button, or you are experiencing a significant hardship hindering your ability to apply online, the Agency Contact listed in the announcement can assist you during normal business hours. If you receive any system error messages, take screenshots, if possible, to aid technical support.

Application Deadline: 2026-05-17