Federal

Microelectronics Manager

Office of the Director of National Intelligence ยท Other Agencies and Independent Organizations
๐Ÿ“ McLean, Virginia GS-14 $143,913 - $187,093/yr
Posted: Apr 8, 2026 Deadline: Apr 23, 2026 (Closes in 12 days days left)

About This Position

The Policy & Capabilities (PC) Directorate ensures the IC is best postured for the threats and challenges of an uncertain future, through strategy, policy, and capabilities development. PC is comprised of the Strategic Capabilities Office (SCO) and Policy Strategy and Accountability (PSA) Office.

Qualifications

FREE RESPONSE ESSAY QUESTIONS All applicants must answer the following four short, free response essay questions. The responses cannot exceed 200 words per question. By submitting your responses to the following questions, you certify that you are using your own words and did not use a consultant or AI (such as a large language model [LLM]).

How has your commitment to the Constitution and the founding principles of the United States inspired you to pursue this role within the Federal government? Provide a concrete example from professional, academic, or personal experience. In this role, how would you use your skills and experience to improve government efficiency and effectiveness?

Provide specific examples where you improved processes, reduced costs, or improved outcomes. How would you help advance the President's Executive Orders and policy priorities in this role? Identify one or two relevant Executive Orders or policy initiatives that are significant to you and explain how you would help implement them if hired.

How has a strong work ethic contributed to your professional, academic or personal achievements? Provide one or two specific examples and explain how those qualities would enable you to serve effectively in this position. Demonstrated knowledge of concepts, theories, and methods for designing, analyzing, testing, and integrating electrical and communications systems.

Designing analog and digital circuits (e.g., FPGAs, ASICs, PCBs). Use modeling/simulation to evaluate designs. Extensive knowledge of Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC) and Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) design.

Extensive experience organizing and managing their own projects or the projects of small teams. Familiarity with basic electronic components such as ASICs, PCBs, microcontrollers, FPGAs, etc. Experience using Electronic Design Automation (EDA) tools for ASIC and/or PCB design.

Demonstrated understanding and development of assembly specifications in accordance with industry standards. Experience with application of 2D/3D imaging for hardware analysis Demonstrated ability to understand and synthesize new scientific and technical advances from a range of technical disciplines into policy or investment recommendations that will impact mission Education: Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Physics, or Materials Science. Desired Requirements: Extensive knowledge of Register Transfer Level (RTL) design including Verilog and VHDL.

Extensive knowledge of Digital/Analog Logic design/simulation, functional verification, Design For Test (DFT), testability analysis. Extensive experience reverse engineering firmware or software. Extensive experience in Information Assurance analysis or implementation.

Demonstrated understanding of the basic concepts of cryptography and cryptographic systems. Demonstrated understanding of the basics of computer networking and low-level protocols. Experience with embedded or operating system level programming.

Major Duties

ODNI's Policy and Capabilities (P&C) Directorate is squarely focused on winning the geostrategic competition to secure America's future. P&C establishes the IC's strategic roadmap, develops requisite IC policies, and drives technology capabilities in alignment with national priorities. Within P&C, the Strategic Capabilities Office (SCO) leads DNI-directed, results-oriented campaigns in key contested areas, including Mission Artificial Intelligence (AI), Advanced Compute, and Space & Sensors.

These campaigns run from 18-36 months and are focused on establishing multi-agency capabilities that will transform the intelligence community (IC). The ideal candidate will apply detailed understanding of microelectronics design, manufacturing, use, and reverse engineering to advise ODNI, IC element, and interagency partners on current trends and emerging opportunities in support of a high-visibility Intelligence Community acquisition program.

Applicants must have expert knowledge of Western and non-Western microelectronics manufacturing capabilities and be able to advise policy makers and senior decision makers on complex, technical issues. Advise policy makers and senior decision makers on complex technical issues to enable informed decisions supporting a high-visibility multi-agency acquisition program. Engage with industry counterparts to understand current developments and emerging trends.

Analyze, interpret, and assess information from industry to advise government counterparts on microelectronics acquisition and exploitation programs. Develop, plan, and coordinate the acquisition and exploitation of foreign microelectronics. Write and coordinate assessments of the capabilities of foreign microelectronics.

Develop test plans according to industry and military specifications. Develop and sustain professional networks across the IC and in operational and analytic communities.

Education

Bachelor's degree.

How You Will Be Evaluated

You must submit the supporting documents listed under the required documents section of this announcement. We will review your resume and supporting documentation to ensure you meet the basic qualification requirements. If you are among the best qualified, you may be referred to the hiring manager for consideration and may be called for an interview.

Additional Information

JOB INTERVIEW TRAVEL Candidates from outside the Washington Metropolitan Area (WMA) may be selected for a telephone, teleconference, or in-person interview. SALARY DETERMINATION The ODNI uses a rank-in-person system in which rank is attached to GS employees on the basis of individual qualifications, experience, and performance. Individuals whose current GS grade is equivalent to the grade of the advertised position will retain their current grade and step.

Individuals who transfer to the ODNI from a non-GS pay scale will have base pay converted to the appropriate GS grade and step as determined by the Chief of Human Resource Management. In some cases when a current federal civilian employee applies for an ODNI position that is a lower grade than his or her personal grade, the candidate's personal grade will be downgraded to the grade of the advertised ODNI position and pay will be set at the step that is closest to, and not less than, the employee's current annual base rate of pay, not to exceed the maximum step rate of the GS grade to which assigned. RELOCATION EXPENSES For new ODNI employees, reimbursement for relocation is discretionary based on availability of funds.

REASONABLE ACCOMMODATIONS The ODNI provides reasonable accommodations to qualified applicants with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, please notify the Reasonable Accommodations Officer by email at [email protected], by telephone at (703)275-3900 or by FAX at (703)275-1217.

Your request for reasonable accommodations will be addressed on a case-by-case basis. PLEASE DO NOT SUBMIT YOUR APPLICATION TO THE REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION EMAIL ADDRESS. THIS EMAIL IS FOR REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION REQUESTS ONLY. The ODNI is an equal opportunity employer and abides by applicable employment laws and regulations.

How to Apply

We encourage you to read the entire announcement prior to submitting your application. In order to be considered, you must apply via USAJOBS. The ODNI will not accept emailed applications.

Your application must be received by 11:59 PM (EST) on the closing date of this announcement. Applications received after the closing date will NOT be eligible for consideration. All attachments should be in Microsoft Word or Adobe PDF format. Do not include the following types of information in your profile or resume: Classified or government sensitive information Social Security Number (SSN) Photos of yourself Personal information such as age, gender, religious affiliation, etc. Encrypted and digitally signed documents

Required Documents

A complete application package must include: a. RESUME: Resumes must be no longer than two (2) pages in length. Resumes longer than two (2) pages will be removed from consideration. Applicants are encouraged to carefully review the vacancy announcement, particularly the MDRs, and construct their resume to highlight their most significant experience and qualifications relevant to this job opportunity.

You must ensure the resume contains all of the required information and you organize it so we can associate the following information for each experience/position: job title; name of employer; beginning and ending dates of employment (month/day/year format), and hours worked per week. We will assume full-time unless otherwise stated. Additionally, include a detailed description of job duties, accomplishments, related skills and responsibilities, to include any supervisory/managerial responsibilities and number of staff supervised (if applicable), and series and grade or equivalent (if a federal position). b.

ESSAY QUESTION RESPONSES: The responses cannot exceed 200 words per question (please see questions in the Requirements section above). By submitting your responses to these questions, you certify that you are using your own words and did not use a consultant or AI (such as a large language model [LLM]). c. COVER LETTER: Applicants must submit a professional narrative as a supplement to the resume to elaborate on their qualifications and previous work performed. d.

CURRENT SF-50: Federal Government employees must provide your official most recent SF-50 (i.e., dated within the last 52 weeks from the closing date of this vacancy announcement). An SF-50, Notification of Personnel Action, is used to verify current federal status, position, title, grade, and organization of record. If your SF-50(s) does not provide the information needed to make a final determination for qualification, you will be found ineligible for the position. e.

POSITION NUMBER: Reference the announcement number in the subject line on each document submitted. Failure to submit any of the above-mentioned required documents may result in loss of consideration due to an incomplete application package. It is your responsibility to ensure all required documents have been submitted.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the salary for the Microelectronics Manager position at Office of the Director of National Intelligence?
The salary range for this position is $143,913 - $187,093/yr. This is a GS-14 position on the General Schedule pay scale. Actual pay may vary based on locality adjustments.
Where is the Microelectronics Manager job located?
This position is located in McLean, Virginia. This is an on-site position.
What qualifications do I need?
FREE RESPONSE ESSAY QUESTIONS All applicants must answer the following four short, free response essay questions. The responses cannot exceed 200 words per question. By submitting your responses to the following questions, you certify that you are using your own words and did not use a consultant or AI (such as a large language model [LLM]). How...
How do I apply for this position?
Apply through USAJobs.gov by clicking the 'Apply on USAJobs' button. You'll need a USAJobs account, a federal-style resume, and supporting documents. The deadline is Apr 23, 2026.
Is a security clearance required?
Yes, a Sensitive Compartmented Information clearance is required.
What does GS-14 mean?
GS-14 refers to the General Schedule grade level. Higher grades require more experience and offer higher pay. Visit our GS Pay Scale page for full salary tables by grade and locality.
What benefits do federal employees receive?
Federal employees receive comprehensive benefits including health insurance (FEHB), retirement through FERS, Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) with government matching, paid annual and sick leave, paid parental leave, life insurance, and student loan repayment programs.