Lead Acquisition Program Management Specialist

Come be a part of something big! Smart Minds, Cool Jobs, and Awesome Rewards! Fueled by innovation, talent and ambition, the Air Force Civilian Service (AFCS) is seeking civilian professionals prepared to deploy war-winning capabilities on behalf of the United States Air Force.

OPENS: 8 JUNE 2026 CLOSES: 22 JUNE 2026

• IMPORTANT**
• AFNWC is requiring the 2-page resume format for our job announcements. Please access this link to learn more about what to include in your resume: https://help.usajobs.gov/faq/application/documents/resume/what-to-include
• Your resume may NOT exceed two pages, and the font size should not be smaller than 10 pts. The two-page resume ensures the most relevant experience, education, and professional development is reviewed and considered, which is a common practice in both the public and private sectors.
• The hiring manager will reject any illegible/unreadable resumes or resumes that do not comply with the 2-page limitation.
• Provide all academic degrees, professional military education and any other professional certifications on your 2-page resume.
  
  

Air Force Civilian Service is currently seeking a full-time Lead Acquisition Program Management Specialist to work in the Air Force Nuclear Weapons Center, Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM) Systems Directorate, Digital Capabilities Division at Hill Air Force Base near Layton, Utah.

This position (986400) is an NH-1101-04 which has a typical 2026 salary range of $125,776– $192,331. *Recruitment, Relocation, Retention, and Student Loan Incentives may be authorized.

Program Managers in AFNWC lead cross-functional teams to promote national security through nuclear deterrence. They solve the most complex, high-risk aspects of the ICBM program – the ground-based leg of America’s Nuclear Triad. The AFNWC ICBM Systems Directorate manages the sustainment, design, development, and integrated life-cycle activities of the ICBM family of systems including Minuteman III, warhead capabilities, and Sentinel.

The primary purpose of this position is to serve as Lead Program Manager for the Digital Mission Systems Branch. The Digital Mission Systems Branch provides ICBM Directorate-wide digital capabilities essential for weapon system testing, baseline management, modeling and simulation, software development, and product support modernization. These digital systems, developed and maintained by the Digital Capabilities Division, are foundational to the design, deployment, testing, and ongoing operations of the ICBM enterprise.

DUTIES:

• Serves as Non-Supervisory Lead Program Manager overseeing a complex $120M annual portfolio encompassing the design, testing, deployment, and maintenance of mission-critical digital capabilities.
• Directs and integrates geographically distributed, cross-functional teams comprising USG personnel, Federally Funded Research and Development Centers (FFRDC), University Affiliated Research Centers (UARC), and support contractors to ensure seamless planning, coordination, and execution of strategic initiatives.
• Conducts integrated project oversight monitoring cost, schedule, performance metrics, and risk mitigation while providing strategic guidance and recommendations to leadership on design, development, acquisition, testing, and operational considerations involving requirements engineering, financial planning, performance optimization, and schedule trade-off analysis.
• Facilitates strategic stakeholder engagement across the ICBM Directorate and mission partner organizations to ensure digital capabilities are appropriately prioritized and delivered within established timelines to meet evolving ICBM community requirements.
• Conducts comprehensive assessments and evaluations of Branch objectives, strategies, and performance metrics to establish robust foundations for long-range strategic planning, technology road mapping, and sustainment operations.
• Collaborates with Contracting Officers (CO) and Contracting Officer Representatives (CORs) to review and approve contractual terms, conditions, negotiation parameters, procurement plans, budget allocations, and scope modifications for support contractor agreements.
• Serves as organizational representative at senior government levels and industry forums, delivering executive briefings on project status, key accomplishments, operational challenges, anticipated resource requirements, and the strategic integration and advocacy of program/project objectives.
  
  

SKILLS:

• 7-10 years of acquisition program management experience (cost, schedule, and performance) on multimillion dollar defense projects is highly desired for this role.
• Strong leadership, innovative thinking, mentorship, teamwork, and excellent communication skills to effectively interface with internal and external stakeholders at all levels as well as independence, assertiveness, self-reliance, with a high level of personal integrity to get the job done.
• Strong background in risk management, schedule management, integrated baseline management, program management, earned value management, and document and process information control are highly desired.
• Demonstrated knowledge or hands-on experience implementing Digital Material Management (DMM) initiatives and/or executing digital acquisition programs within USG departments or agencies is highly desired.
• Proven ability to lead customer engagement and strategic communications. Translates and incorporates diverse stakeholder needs into portfolio planning and manages expectations across all levels of leadership.
• Exceptional leadership and mentoring skills necessary to build, guide, and develop a high-performing team focused on managing mission-critical objectives.
• U.S. CITIZENSHIP
• Must be able to obtain and maintain a Top Secret security clearance and will be required to handle and safeguard sensitive and/or classified information in accordance with regulations to reduce potential compromise.
• In accordance with the Ethics in Government Act, 1978, employee may be required to file an OGE Form 450, Confidential Financial Disclosure Report, upon appointment and will be required to file annually.
• Employee must meet Defense Acquisition Workforce Improvement Act (DAWIA) requirements, which includes achieving Program Management “Advanced” certification category within the required timeframe after appointment.