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Albuquerque, NM Join the AFRL Space Warfare Directorate at Kirtland AFB as the RAPID Program Manager. Bridge the gap between advanced analytics and future US Space Force architectures by managing cutting-edge prototyping, simulation, and on-orbit experimentation! DR-04: $132,876 - $164,301

This announcement will be accepting candidate submissions until 11:45 MDT, 9 September 2026.

The Air Force Research Laboratory Space Warfare Directorate seeks to hire a Program Manager to lead a Research and Development (R&D) program within the Rapid Architecture Prototyping and Integration Development (RAPID) Branch (RJEX) at Kirtland AFB in Albuquerque, NM. RAPID expands the future force analysis trade space and accelerates new space architecture concepts by bridging the gap between Space Warfighting Analysis Center (SWAC) analytics and space acquisition organizations. The selected candidate will manage high-visibility science and technology investments, including modeling and simulation, hardware/software-in-the-loop testing, and ground and on-orbit experimentation.

To be successful in this role, the ideal applicant must demonstrate:

• A strong understanding of systems engineering principles and proven experience managing technical, cost, schedule, and performance baselines.


• Experience engaging with contractors and operational partners (e.g., SWAC, USSF, USSPACECOM) on prototyping and new capabilities.


• Experience managing and executing program funding, ensuring strategic alignment of investments to maximize value to Government stakeholders while actively mitigating program risks.


• The ability to coordinate closely with internal/external program partners, experimentalists, and scientists to ensure new technology efforts align with planned capability development roadmaps.


• Expertise in transitioning proven early-stage concepts (identifying cybersecurity, scalability, resiliency, and interoperability risks) forward to acquisition organizations.

The job involves executing duties in close coordination with the RAPID Materiel Leader (ML), as well as coordinating at the Branch and higher echelons inside and outside of the Directorate to ensure seamless mission operations. Position duties include, but are not limited to:

• Orchestrating a multi-disciplinary RAPID team of military, civilian, and contractor scientists and engineers, definitively translating complex technical objectives and approaches into a rigorous, executable programmatic baseline.


• Leading the Branch’s strategic coordination with Directorate leadership, peer AFRL Directorates, headquarters staff, and the Space Staff to align, definitively communicate, aggressively defend, and execute the RAPID budget line amidst rapidly evolving stakeholder priorities and operational needs.


• Delivering executive-level briefings and strategic engagements to senior stakeholders, management, and potential partners, while directing comprehensive management reviews to authoritatively assess and present program health.


• Directing and implementing cross-cutting programmatic efforts that synchronize diverse stakeholders, driving the validation of critical space requirements through rapid prototyping and accelerated delivery to early adopters.


• Governing the program's Intellectual Property (IP) strategy by rigorously screening technical publications and actively championing IP transfer, technology transition, and commercialization pathways.


• Proactively managing and recalibrating a highly complex, wide-ranging programmatic baseline to absorb and navigate fact-of-life changes, ensuring uncompromising, timely execution of funding and continuous progress toward strategic program objectives.

• Must possess a professional science or engineering (S&E) degree from an accredited academic institution.


• Must have at least one year of specialized experience at the DR-02/GS-13 or equivalent grade level, or equivalent experience in industry. Specialized experience is experience providing the capacity and skills for working independently, leading collaborative events, working in teams and using these approaches to find and solve complex problems. Such experience may also include training, collaborative process facilitation, innovation design practice, writing background, editing job roles, continuous process improvement credentials, multi-agency liaison work, published work in refereed technical journals, and/or briefings to large groups.


• Must be able to obtain and maintain a Top Secret security clearance.


• Excellent technical communication ability to include briefings, reports, papers, and other publications.


• Understanding of financial management activities, including spend plans and tracking obligations/expenditures, as well as experience in federal acquisition processes, including contract management, SOW/PWS development, and contractor performance monitoring.


• Familiarity with space technology across the user, ground and space segment, as well as the current USSF space architecture.


• This position is an Acquisition Professional Development Program (APDP) position requiring Level/Tier 2 (Practitioner) Non-Critical certification in Engineering and Technology Management (N). The selectee will have 24-months to meet APDP requirements or a waiver must be obtained. Applicants for this position must list any acquisition certifications and status as an acquisition corps member in their resume.

Domain Expertise (Space and S&T):

• Demonstrated experience with DoW and/or commercial space systems, including satellite communications, ground systems, and/or user equipment.


• Prior experience working with or within the U.S. Space Force (USSF), US Space Command (USSPACECOM), or the Space Warfighting Analysis Center (SWAC).


• Experience overseeing or contributing to space capability modeling and simulation (M&S), hardware/software-in-the-loop (HWIL/SWIL) testing, or on-orbit experimentation.

Acquisition and Technology Transfer:

• A strong track record of transitioning science and technology (S&T) efforts from the laboratory environment (e.g., AFRL, DARPA, DIU) to formal Program Acquisition Executives (PAEs) or acquisition programs.


• Proven experience utilizing rapid acquisition authorities, such as Middle Tier of Acquisition (MTA), Other Transaction Authorities (OTA), or Commercial Solutions Openings (CSO).

Leadership and Stakeholder Management:

• Demonstrated ability to effectively communicate, brief, and collaborate with senior DoW leadership, including General Officers (GOs), Senior Executive Service (SES) members, and higher-level portfolio leads on high-visibility program statuses and strategic direction.


• Proven experience in creative problem-solving, collaboration, and leading the planning and execution of technical investments to achieve mission objectives.


• Experience communicating effectively with internal and external stakeholders, systematically tracking taskers, and developing and meeting timelines.


• Proven ability to lead and synchronize multidisciplinary teams of government civilians, military personnel, and industry contractors in a high-tempo R&D environment.


• Candidates who already possess an active Project Management Professional (PMP) certification and/or active APDP Program Management certification (Practitioner or Advanced level) at the time of application.

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

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• NOTE: Must use MM/DD/YYYY date format for experience entries on resume.


• Candidates with resumes longer than 2-pages will not be considered.


• Instructions on how to submit documents are provided in the automated email you will receive once you apply.

Requisition Number 27076

09/09/2026

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Who May Apply All US Citizens

Pay Range (without Locality) DR-04: $132,876 - $164,301