Job Title: General Engineer/Director, Horizontal Protection Capability Delivery
JOA: USWRE-2026-000100
Pay Scale: $169,279-$197,200
Open Date: 23 June 2026
Close Date: 7 July 2026
About the Office of Under Secretary of War for Research and Engineering
About the Office of the Under Secretary of War for Research and Engineering (USWR&E)
The Office of the Under Secretary of War for Research and Engineering (USWR&E) is at the forefront of shaping the nation's defense capabilities. Our mission is to foster a culture of innovation and drive the development and integration of advanced technology to ensure the superiority of our military forces. The Science & Technology Program Protection division, within the Research & Engineering/Science & Technology directorate, is dedicated to safeguarding our technological edge through robust program protection strategies and cutting-edge system security engineering.
The Director for Horizontal Protection Capability Delivery (HPCD) will set the Department's enterprise-wide technical direction for the delivery of horizontal protection capabilities. This senior leadership role is pivotal in driving innovation and architecting solutions for complex challenges in technology protection, system security, and program integrity to maintain a strategic technological advantage.
The incumbent will lead the implementation of novel platforms and capabilities to ensure the consistent application of multi-domain technology protection. This involves deep engagement with acquisition program offices, information operations partners, and senior stakeholders to develop and deploy hosted platforms, model-based system security engineering, and advanced data visualization tools. As a key technical subject matter expert, you will provide critical recommendations to senior leaders on technical risk and liaise with government agencies, industry, and academia to resolve engineering and policy challenges.
This position is covered by the Department of War (DoW) Civilian Acquisition Workforce Personnel Demonstration Project (AcqDemo). The position is located in Washington, DC. The pay plan and broadband level for this role is NH-0801-IV and does have an education requirement.
This role will close for submissions at 11:59pm on July 7th, 2026.
What you'll do here:
- Lead the planning and execution of enterprise-wide platforms and capabilities for technology and program protection, as well as information operations.
- Direct the planning and execution of the System Security Engineering Platform.
- Lead the review and development of policies, guidance, and standards for system security and software supply chain risk.
- Oversee the deployment of platform-based system security engineering tools across all Adaptive Acquisition Framework pathways.
- Establish technology roadmaps and lead analysis to inform research funding and the adoption of new technologies.
- Advise Military Departments on the acquisition and integration of system security engineering capabilities to mitigate vulnerabilities.
- Lead methodologies to identify, communicate, and track system security engineering issues and provide data to drive resolution.
- Provide technical recommendations to identify research and development needs to improve the system security of military systems.
Qualifications
- A degree in physical science or engineering in one of the following relevant areas: computer science, electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, systems engineering, applied mathematics, cyber, operations research, or physics.
- Significant knowledge and experience delivering Department of War (DoW) relevant digital capabilities in support of the acquisition lifecycle, including experience designing, developing, or hardening digital capabilities (cloud-based or networked).
- Significant research or engineering experience, with a Department-wide, national, or international reputation in their field.
- Demonstrated knowledge of cutting-edge science and technology research and development.
- Demonstrated knowledge of the research, development, budget, and acquisition processes within a large federal entity or equivalent industry organization.
- Experience with engineering and technical standards such as Data Item Descriptions, Military Standards, and/or International Standards.
- Proven ability to effectively communicate with and brief executive-level leadership.
- Demonstrated ability to exercise mature managerial judgment and conflict resolution skills to solve problems and make sound decisions.
Requirements
- U.S. Citizenship is required.
- Candidate is encouraged to provide e-portfolio, project samples, Github, etc. to their submission package.
- Males born after 12-31-59 must be registered or exempt from Selective Service https://www.sss.gov/Home/Registration
- This position is subject to provisions of the WHS/OSD Priority Placement Program (please see details below)
- Must be determined suitable for federal employment.
- Required to participate in the direct deposit program.
- This position is subject to pre-employment and random drug testing.
- We may use this announcement to fill additional vacancies within 90 days of the closing date.
- Recruitment, relocation, or retention incentives may be authorized based on the availability of funds.
- This position requires a Top Secret/ Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI) security clearance.
- If you are a veteran claiming veteran's preference, as defined by Section 2108 of Title 5 U.S.C., you must submit documents verifying your eligibility with your application package.
- This position may require work other than normal duty hours, which may include evenings, weekends, and/or holidays and/or mandatory overtime.
- This position may occasionally require travel away from the normal duty station via military or commercial aircraft.
Priority Placement Program Details
Military Spouse Preference (MSP) Eligible: Military Spouse Preference applicants, must be selected and placed at the highest grade level for which they have applied and been determined best qualified up to and including the full performance level. You must include a completed copy of the Military Spouse PPP Self-Certification Checklist dated within 30 days along with the documents identified on the checklist to verify your eligibility for Military Spouse Preference. https://acpol2.army.mil/chra_dodea/PPP_MSP_self_certification_checklist.pdf
Military Reserve (MR) and National Guard (NG) Technicians PPP Eligible: MR and NG technicians PPP applicants must be selected and placed at the full performance level if determined well qualified. You must include a completed copy of the Military Reserve and National Guard Technician PPP Self-Certification Checklist to verify your eligibility for Military Reserve and National Guard Technician preference. https://www.dcpas.osd.mil/sites/default/files/military_reserve_and_guard_tech_ppp_self_cert_checklist.pdf
Military Reserve (MR) and National Guard (NG) Technicians Receiving Disability Retirement PPP Eligible: MR and NG technicians receiving disability retirement PPP applicants must be selected and placed at the full performance level if determined well qualified. You must include a completed copy of the Military Reserve and National Guard Technician Disability PPP Self-Certification Checklist to verify your eligibility for Military Reserve and National Guard Technician Disability preference. https://www.dcpas.osd.mil/sites/default/files/military_reserve_and_guard_disability_ppp_self_cert_checklist.pdf
Retained Grade PPP Eligible: Retained Grade PPP applicants, must be selected and placed at the full performance level if determined well qualified. You must include a completed copy of the Retained Grade PPP Self-Certification Checklist to verify your eligibility for Retained Grade preference. https://www.dcpas.osd.mil/sites/default/files/retained_grade_ppp_self_cert_checklist.pdf