Data Center Manager

National Reconnaissance Office (NRO)Aurora, CO

$148,275 - $192,764 / year

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Overview

Schedule

Alternate-schedule

Full-time

Education

Network (CCNA, CCNP, CCIE)

Career level

Director

Remote

On-site

Compensation

$148,275-$192,764/year

Job Description

WE ARE THE NROFor sixty years, the NRO has developed, acquired, launched and operated the satellites that are the foundation for America’s advantage and strength in space. Using a diversified architecture of spacecraft, NRO collects and delivers the best space-based intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance content on the planet.Learn more at NRO.gov.Basic Eligibility For a Position with the NRO

You must be a U.S. Citizen
You must be able to obtain and maintain a TS/SCI security clearance
You will be subject to pre-employment and periodic drug testing
You will be subject to pre-employment and periodic polygraph examinations

Where You Will Work The Chief, Data Center Manager (DCM) at Aerospace Defense Facility in Colorado (ADF-C) serves as the primary strategic leader for critical infrastructure operations supporting NRO's worldwide intelligence mission. This position manages over 10+ data centers plus communication rooms encompassing over 100,000 square feet and over 2,000 racks at the ADF-C, while providing oversight support for other data centers. The DCM directs a team of 11 professionals (2 SETA and 9 DCM contractors) responsible for the security, operations, and maintenance of enterprise data center infrastructure. This role offers significant growth opportunity as the selected candidate will lead the implementation and transition to a new state-of-the-art stand-alone data center by 2028, positioning ADF-C for next-generation mission requirements.The Communications Systems Directorate (COMM) provides end-to-end secure IT and transport services for the NRO and its mission partners. COMM/Hosting Services Group (HSG) is tasked to be the subject matter expert for COMM IT Data Center Acquisitions and determine options for next generation Data Centers to include cost, location, and acquisition strategy. The selected candidate is assigned to the COMM/HSG located at Westfields NRO Headquarters, Chantilly VA, with permanent duty station at the Aerospace Defense Facility – Colorado (ADF-C).The DCM will report locally to the site COMM lead and have direct communication with COMM/HSG. The NRO Cadre is collecting resumes for consideration against current and future opportunities for senior level (GG-14), Chief Data Center Manager, occupational series 2210.For more information on the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) occupational series, click here.Your resume may be considered for other positions which your skills and experience may be a good match. This is a full-time position that is open from July 24, 2026 to August 9, 2026. Resumes must be submitted by 11:59 PM EST on August 9, 2026. Who May Apply

This position is open to the public.
Federal government employees MUST currently be at the grade level or higher as indicated in this announcement. This is NOT a promotion opportunity for current Federal government employees. If selected for the position, Federal government employees will transition laterally at their current grade level and step.
Federal applicants who exceed the advertised grade may voluntarily request acceptance at the lower grade per IAW DoWI 1400.25 Volume 2006.
The NRO is only accepting external applicants for this job announcement. Current NRO Cadre employees should apply internally.
This position may not qualify for the appointment of a reemployed federal annuitant IAW DoWI 1400.25 Volume 300.

What You Will Be Doing Strategic Leadership & Operations:Execute NRO Data Center Strategy aligned with four mission imperatives: mission resilience, operational flexibility, security posture, and efficiency

Serve as primary point of contact for all ADF-C data center functions and enterprise coordination
Oversee day-to-day operations of over 10 data centers and 30+ communication rooms/closets, ensuring infrastructure monitoring, capacity management, security, and maintenance planning
Lead implementation of new stand-alone data center by 2028, including migration of systems from legacy infrastructure
Infrastructure & Capacity Management:
Manage data center access control processes and enforce security compliance
Oversee power, space, and cooling (P/S/C) capacity planning for successful integration of mission and administrative systems
Analyze P/S/C requirements and coordinate system integration activities through NRO change management processes with site and Intelligence Community stakeholders

Modernization & Transformation:

Direct data center improvement activities across site and enterprise organizations
Implement Data Center Infrastructure Management (Nlyte) tool and site Data Center Strategic Plan
Coordinate system transition planning to cloud environments, future stand-alone data center, and Core Data CentersContract & Quality Management:
Perform Quality Assurance Evaluator (QAE) duties to evaluate data center contracts and work performance

Manage work priorities and provide award fee recommendations

Implement and enforce enterprise directives, processes, and procedures across all site data center activitiesWhat You Need

Knowledge: Experience working in or managing a data center, or experience managing power, space, and cooling. Experience in the technical domain; proven track record in the development, installation, and maintenance of technical systems to include systems engineering and/or project management equivalent experience
Skills: Demonstrated ability to lead teams and manage technical projects, studies, and contractor resources; hands-on experience analyzing, developing, and communicating solutions to complex technical problems to both technical and non-technical personnel

Abilities: Proven track record leading organic or multi-organizational technical teams of 5+ personnel demonstrating effective interpersonal skills, strong leadership and team building qualities

Desired:

Knowledge: 3+ years NRO or Intelligence Community experience; familiarity with large-scale computing systems and network architectures; electrical/mechanical engineering background; ability to interpret technical drawings and specifications
Skills: Experience managing $5M+ technical contracts; data center capacity planning and infrastructure monitoring tools experience; strategic planning experience in government or IC environment
Certifications: COTR/COR or other Acquisition certification (NRO/CIA level II or Level II DAU Program Management Certification); DOD 8570 IAT Level II certification (Security+, CCNA Security, etc.); Data Center Engineering Specialist or Data Center Operations Specialist or Data Center Technology Professional certificationQualifying experience may have been acquired in any public or private sector job, but will clearly demonstrate past experience in the application of the particular competencies/knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to successfully perform and is typically in or directly related to the duties of the position as described above. Experience must be reflected in your resume.Applicants submitting a resume that exceeds the two-page limit per OPM Memorandum, “Merit Hiring Plan,” dated May 29, 2025, https://www.opm.gov/chcoc/latest-memos/merit-hiring-plan.pdf will not be eligible for consideration. For more information regarding resume writing, see “Guidance for Applicants on 2-Page Resume” and visit the Resume Help Center.

Other Information

Overtime Statement: MAY be required to work other than normal duty hours, which may include evenings, weekends, and/or holidays.

Travel Statement: MAY be required to travel in military or commercial aircraft to perform temporary duty assignments.

Financial Disclosure: MAY be required to file an OGE Form 450, Confidential Financial Disclosure Report, upon appointment and will be required to file annually.

Defense Acquisition Workforce Improvement Act (DAWIA) coded positions: If selected for a DAWIA coded position, the incumbent must meet appropriate certification requirements IAW the Defense Acquisition Workforce Improvement Act (DAWIA) no later than 24 months after accepting this position. Individual shall maintain, at a minimum 80 continuous Learning Points every 24 months via the services acquisition management system. DAWIA requirements may be located at the Defense Acquisition University website.

Geographic Mobility Agreement: MAY be subject to directed reassignment as required to address mission effectiveness, and/or career development.

Information Assurance (IA): Must achieve the appropriate IA certification within six months of assignment.

Emergency Essential: Certain positions MAY be deemed emergency essential and incumbents must be willing to meet all position requirements.

LocationAurora, COTelework is not available and you must be able to work at the specified location(s).SalaryThis position meets the qualifications for Defense Civilian Intelligence Personnel System (DCIPS) Targeted Local Market Supplement (TLMS) STEM pay for NRO Cadre employees and candidates as authorized by the office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Intelligence and Security’s (OUSD(I&S)). Cadre employees and candidates are eligible to receive STEM pay if they are currently serving in a STEM designated position. Should a Cadre employee or candidate earning STEM pay change positions within the organization, they must be assigned to another STEM qualifying position in order to continue to remain eligible for STEM pay. Otherwise, Cadre employees and Candidates Generally would be transitioned to the DCIPS GG Pay Scale. For more information on STEM pay, visit https://dcips.defense.gov/Human-Resources/Compensation/2026 STEM Salary Range: GG-14 $148,275 – $192,764. This position is a senior level DCIPS position. The NRO is accepting applications from U.S. Citizens and current federal government employees for this position.To qualify for the position,federal government employees MUST currently be at the GG – 14 grade level and may ONLY apply for a lateral reassignment at their current grade level and step. Federal applicants who exceed the advertised grade may voluntarily request acceptance at the lower grade per IAW DoWI 1400.25 Volume 2006.Hiring IncentivesThe NRO may offer hiring incentives and other entitlements at management’s discretion.Trial PeriodAll new DCIPS employees will be required to serve a 2-year trial period.Veterans’ PreferenceDoW Components with DCIPS positions apply Veterans’ Preference to preference eligible candidates as defined by Section 2108 of Title 5 USC, in accordance with the procedures provided in DoW Instruction 1400.25, Vol 2005, DCIPS Employment and Placement. If you are a veteran claiming veterans’ preference, as defined by section 2108 of Title 5 USC, you must submit documents verifying your eligibility upon request.Equal Employment Opportunity PolicyThe United States government does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy and gender identity), national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, retaliation, parental status, military service or other non-merit factor.

Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) for federal employees & job applicants

Reasonable Accommodation PolicyFederal agencies must provide reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities where appropriate. Applicants requiring reasonable accommodation for any part of the application process should follow the instructions in the job opportunity announcement. For any part of the remaining hiring process, applicants should contact the hiring agency directly. Determinations on requests for reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis.A reasonable accommodation is any change to a job, the work environment, or the way things are usually done that enables an individual with a disability to apply for a job, perform job duties or receive equal access to job benefits.Under the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, federal agencies must provide reasonable accommodations when:

An applicant with a disability needs an accommodation to have an equal opportunity to apply for a job.
An employee with a disability needs an accommodation to perform the essential job duties or to gain access to the workplace.
An employee with a disability needs an accommodation to receive equal access to benefits, such as details, training, and office-sponsored events.

You can request a reasonable accommodation at any time during the application or hiring process or while on the job. Requests are considered on a case-by-case basis. Please send your request to Hiring@nro.mil.Privacy Act NoticePrivacy Act Notice (PL 93-579): We use this information to determine qualifications for employment. This is authorized under Title 5 U.S.C. 3302 and 3361.Read more about the Privacy Act of 1974

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FAQs About Data Center Manager Jobs at National Reconnaissance Office (NRO)

What is the work location for this position at National Reconnaissance Office (NRO)?

This job at National Reconnaissance Office (NRO) is located in Aurora, CO, according to the details provided by the employer. Some roles may also include multiple work locations depending on the requirement.

What pay range can candidates expect for this role at National Reconnaissance Office (NRO)?

Candidates can expect a pay range of $148,275 and $192,764 per year.

What employment applies to this position at National Reconnaissance Office (NRO)?

National Reconnaissance Office (NRO) lists this position under the following employment categories:

Alternate-schedule
Full-time

What experience level is required for this role at National Reconnaissance Office (NRO)?

National Reconnaissance Office (NRO) is looking for a candidate with "Director" experience level.

What education level is required for this job?

The education requirement for this position is Network (CCNA, CCNP, CCIE). Candidates with relevant qualifications or equivalent experience may also be considered.

What is the process to apply for this position at National Reconnaissance Office (NRO)?

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