Chief, Product Development Branch

Job Overview

OPEN TO CURRENT FEDERAL CIVILIAN EMPLOYEES ONLY.

This announcement will be accepting candidate submissions until 11:45 PM EST, 10 August 2026.

We are looking for a professional with proven program management expertise and deep technical acumen to guide revolutionary capabilities from concept to reality for our nation's warfighters.

As Chief, you will serve as a second-level supervisor, providing direction and vision to a diverse and expansive team of approximately 100 personnel. This team includes 30 highly dedicated active-duty military and civil servants, supplemented by about 70 contracted full-time equivalents. You will orchestrate the efforts of this large, multi-disciplinary group across three operating locations, empowering team leads and leveraging the incredible talent at your disposal.

This position demands a leader who can masterfully manage the entire product life cycle. Your primary responsibility will be directing a high-stakes science and technology portfolio valued at $134M across 160 distinct projects. While you will have ultimate responsibility, you will be supported by a robust team of specialists in fields such as agile software development, medical device prototyping, and regulatory compliance. Your success will be defined by your ability to lead other leaders, manage budgets, allocate resources effectively, and ultimately transition cutting-edge technology to the Department of the Air Force and the Joint Force.

In this role, you will:

• Direct a complex portfolio of medical and operational technology programs, guided by the counsel of your expert staff.
• Provide expert program management, overseeing cost, schedule, and performance to ensure mission success.
• Set the strategic and technical direction for digital health and medical hardware initiatives.
• Forge powerful collaborations with innovators across all levels of the U.S. government, industry, academia, and with key international partners.

If you are an accomplished leader who thrives on translating technical vision into programmatic success, we invite you to apply. This is a unique opportunity to lead a significant enterprise of experts and make a lasting impact on national security.

Join us and lead the programs that will define the future of human performance. Apply today!

Required Qualifications

• United States Citizens
• Males must be registered for Selective Service, see www.sss.gov.
• Incentives may/may not be authorized.
• Applicants must be eligible for and maintain the appropriate security clearance for the position.
• The incumbent may be subject to pre-employment drug testing as a condition of employment, and participation in random drug testing.
• This position may require travel.
• This is an Acquisition Professional Development Program (APDP) position and requires a Level 2 certification (Practitioner) in Engineering & Technical Management or Program Management. The employee must meet or be capable of meeting Defense Acquisition Work Improvement Act (DAWIA) requirements applicable to the duties of the position.
  Applicants must have at least one (1) year or 52 weeks of specialized experience at the next lower grade of position being advertised, or equivalent in other pay systems.
• Applicants must also meet the Basic Qualification requirements for the series. To view the Individual Occupational Requirements for the position visit OPM at: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/#url=Occupational-Series

Desired Qualifications

• MS in a related scientific or engineering field or MBA is preferred.
• PhD in subject topic, or specialized Master’s degrees in Product Development, Project Management, or Program Management is preferred.
• Demonstrated ability to lead diverse technical teams of civil servants, active-duty military, and contractors.
• Demonstrate history of professional experience working directly within the commercial or private technology industry.
• Strong track record of defining, leading, and managing multidisciplinary science and technology (S&T) portfolios.
• Accomplished subject matter expertise in human performance or biomedical sciences or business, or engineering research.
• Proficiency in all phases of the research and development life cycle, from basic and applied research to technology transition.
• Skilled in protocol development, human injury models, and software integration through the U.S. government's authority to operate (ATO) process or similar processes.
• Demonstrated success in building collaborative relationships and leading technology development with partners across the DoW, other government agencies, academia, and private industry.
• Strong understanding of federal government contracting, compliance, and acquisition processes and the planning, programming, budget and execution (PPBE) process to include requirements generation.
• Program management certifications (e.g., DAU, PMP, Agile, or similar) are preferred.

Telework

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

Eligible for a Referral Bonus?

No

Series

04XX

0601

0690

08XX

1101

1301

1320

Additional Information

Once you have applied, please refer to the confirmation email for instructions on submitting your resume. Resumes must be received NLT 11:45 PM EST, 10 August.

Requisition 79123

Posting End Date

08/10/2026