Program Area Manager 4/5 - National Programs Office, U.S. Space Force

Job Details

New ideas are all around us, but only a few will change the world. That’s our focus at JPL. We ask the biggest questions, then search the universe for answers—literally. We build upon ideas that have guided generations, then share our discoveries to inspire generations to come. Your mission—your opportunity—is to seek out the answers that bring us one step closer. If you’re driven to discover, create, and inspire something that lasts a lifetime and beyond, you’re ready for JPL.

Located in Pasadena, California, JPL has a campus-like environment situated on 177 acres in the foothills of the San Gabriel Mountains and offers a work environment unlike any other: we inspire passion, foster innovation, build collaboration, and reward excellence.

Responsibilities:

As a Program Area Manager within the National Programs Office supporting National Security and National Defense and Military business development initiatives, with a focus on the US Space Force and it’s associated elements you will be responsible for direct customer outreach and engagement, leading and coordinating business leads from the implementing organizations, contracts and pricing in executing the business development process for new work. In addition, you will develop and maintain relationships with customer management counterparts and JPL task managers to secure new business and ensure customer satisfaction resulting in follow-on business. 

Tasks include but are not limited to:

• Be responsible for securing technology development tasks and major project opportunities with customer. 

• Have responsibility for business development opportunities in areas where JPL’s unique expertise can be applied.

• Plan, direct resources, schedule, and provide management direction and oversight to ensure JPL tasks/projects are executed within approved cost, schedule, and performance.

• Communicate and report work status and represent JPL at customer interface and technical interface exchanges.

• Lead the broader NPO business development team to advance and improve BD processes and increase the velocity of new business acquisition.

Qualifications:

• PhD degree in Engineering, Mathematics, Physical Sciences, Space Operations, or similar technical discipline with 5 yearsof minimum work experience, or MA/MS degree in similar discipline with 7 years of minimum work experience, or BA/BS degree in similar discipline with 9 years of minimum work experience.

• Leadership experience: Formulation, Implementation, Operations, Line Management, and delivery of products (such as mission or technology proposals, institutional guidance, hardware, software, data products, technology)

• Multidisciplinary knowledge in National Defense / National Security Space - related technical, programmatic, and systems development/acquisition processes and procedures.

• Extensive, demonstrated experience in developing businesses, closing businesses with reimbursable customers, with full breadth of experience with the business development lifecycle, from market development, through opportunity identification and qualification, bid and proposal, negotiations, delivery and acquiring repeat business.

• Demonstrated technical design and development expertise in one or more of the following disciplines:

  • Technology development and management

  • Robotics and Autonomous systems

  • Electro-optical and RF sensor systems

  • Satellite communications (RF and/or Optical)

  • Positioning, navigation, and timing (PNT)

  • Systems Engineering

  • Cyberspace

  • Airborne and/or spaceborne sensors/systems design and development

  • Flight, ground and mission systems architecting, development and operations

Preferred Skills:

• Knowledge of best industry practices in concept definition, formulation and implementation, such as planning, programming, development, design, engineering, flight demonstrations/operations

• Knowledge of Department of War (DoW) policies and procedures, and government regulations across a range of applications, and with respect to reimbursable (non-NASA) programs efforts

• Significant experience in successfully managing complex customer and stakeholder relationships, systems and technology development at various levels of scope and complexity.

• Relevant knowledge of and experience with the DoW  sponsors and contractor ecosystem including elements of the US Space Force, such as Golden Dome,  Space Systems Command, SpaceWERX, OUSD (R&E) and (A&S) Defense Innovation Unit and other related organizations.

Note: Must have an active Top Secret (TS) clearance based upon Single Scope Background Investigation (SSBI) within a 5 year scope and must be approved for Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI) accesses.

Note: This position may be classified at one level higher than the posted level.  A determination will be made once the final candidate has been identified.

The typical full-time equivalent annual hiring range for this job at a level higher in Pasadena, California. $217,152-$263,848

JPL has a catalog of benefits and perks that span from the traditional to the unique. This includes a variety of health, dental, vision, wellbeing, and retirement plans, paid time off, learning, rideshare, childcare, flexible schedule, parental leave and many more. Our focus is on work-life balance, and living healthy, fulfilling lives as we Dare Mighty Things Together. For benefits eligible positions, benefits are effective the first day of the month coincident with or immediately following the employee’s start date.

For further benefits information click Benefits and Perks

The hiring range displayed below is specifically for those who will work in or reside in the location listed. In extending an offer, Jet Propulsion Laboratory considers factors including, but not limited to, the candidate’s job related skills, experience, knowledge, and relevant education/training.

The typical full time equivalent annual hiring range for this job in Pasadena, California.

JPL is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, race, color, religion, national origin, citizenship, ancestry, age, marital status, physical or mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, pregnancy or perceived pregnancy, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, protected military or veteran status or any other characteristic or condition protected by Federal, state or local law.

In addition, JPL is a VEVRAA Federal Contractor.

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The Jet Propulsion Laboratory is a federal facility. Due to rules imposed by NASA, JPL will not accept applications from citizens of designated countries or those born in a designated country unless they are U.S. Citizens, Legal Permanent Residents of the U.S or have other protected status under 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3). The Designated Countries List is available here.