National Defense and Military Program Area Manager II/III – National Partnerships Office

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.

The National Partnerships Office (NPO), within the Astronomy and Physics Directorate (APD), is responsible for the development and management of non-NASA reimbursable work done by the Jet Propulsion Laboratory. 

NPO was established to develop a sustaining business base through expanded relations with non-NASA sponsors. The office focuses on leveraging NASA technology to solve problems of national significance for other agencies, and in so doing creates a more secure world and improves the quality of life by investing in technologies and collaborating with other agencies, industry, and academia. The office’s mission is to apply JPL’s unique skills and assets to solve problems of national significance in a manner that is synergistic with JPL’s NASA mission. To accomplish this, NSTA develops collaborations with elements of the nation’s space program: national defense, civil, commercial, national security, information and data science, and tech transfer and intellectual property. Each of these sectors is responsible for specific development of partnerships that expand and enhance the JPL/NASA technology base.

Today, NPO develops and manages a broad portfolio of studies, technology development, space instrumentation and mission development across civil, commercial, national defense and military, and national security space program areas.  NPO is seeking a senior experienced leader to lead the National Defense and Military Program Area.

Responsibilities:

• Be the program management focal point for the Department of Defense (DoD)-related reimbursable program activities, including direct interactions with DoD customers. 

• Is responsible to the Manager, National Partnerships Office (NPO) and the Director, Astronomy and Physics Directorate (APD) for the development and and execution of work for National Defense and Military customers.

• Ensures that both business development and execution of work for the National Defense and Military programs portfolio are being conducted in a manner consistent with APD direction and policy and that problem areas are identified and resolved in a timely manner. The program portfolio consists of research and analysis, technology development, systems engineering and integration, test and evaluation and mission support across major functional areas within the DoD.

• Develop and sustain institutional relationships with Defense and Intelligence agencies.  Mature these relationships to the level of strategic partnership. 

• Fully engage in JPL’s technology planning processes and develop an understanding of customer needs for technology and system developments that are synergistic with JPL’s technology plan for NASA. 

• Identify and mature opportunities for Defense agencies sponsorship of tasks or projects to be performed by JPL.

• Lead and guide proposal development teams, and guide proposed efforts through sponsor acquisition processes and NASA/JPL contracts processes. 

• Provide technical oversight to work under execution, through interactions with the execution team, and communication with the DoD customer. 

• Engage with the JPL science and technology community to identify and leverage JPL’s unique capabilities in defining technical capabilities and solutions that will meet customer needs.

• Manage successful implementation and closeout of contractually committed technical work.

Required Qualifications:

• Typically requires a Bachelors or higher with 4 years of supervisory and/or management experience.

• Top Secret / SCI security clearance is required.

• Extensive line/project management experience.  Understanding and demonstrated success in program development, advocating new projects and developing technology/research programs.

• Demonstrated understanding of the role of technology in project planning, mission design and implementation, and the associated issues of technology development and infusion in a project-oriented enterprise culture.

• Extensive exposure to and understanding of a broad range of technical disciplines such as space-based radar, hyper-spectral imaging, laser technologies, continuous surveillance, spectral imagery, cyber security, Artificial Intelligence / Machine Learning.

• Knowledge of the organizational structure, roles and practices of the programs of technology-rich defense and intelligence agencies, and of military and intelligence funding/budgeting processes.

• Demonstrated experience in developing systems or technologies in a defense and intelligence environment, experience with flight prototypes and flight demonstrations.

• Demonstrated leadership and communications skills. 

• Excellent knowledge of relationships with key senior staff from related DoD agencies.

Desired Qualifications:

• Ph.D. degree in engineering or similar discipline with 8 years work experience or MA/MS degree in similar discipline with 10 work experience, or BA/BS degree in similar discipline with 12 years work experience or equivalent related technical experience.

• Military rank of Colonel (or Navy Captain) or higher, and/or the civilian equivalent of this in military service, with freedom from or very narrow restrictions on representing JPL defense agencies.

• Direct experience in the acquisition and management of projects and tasks sponsored by defense and intelligence agencies.

• First-hand knowledge of project management, program development, philosophies and methods, process-based management, team building, strategic planning, federal procurement policies and practices

• Knowledge of JPL processes and procedures.

• Experience working with key technical leaders.

• Possess management understanding of reimbursable work acquisition and the associated financial and technical processes.

• Familiarity with the programs, projects, and tasks JPL performs for NASA to identify where leveraging would be of mutual benefit to both the NASA and DoD and Intelligence space sectors and sponsors.

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

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. Hiring range for this job may be adjusted based on primary work location outside of Pasadena, California. This adjusted range will be provided to candidates by the Recruiter when applicable.

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

$199,056 - $259,064

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.