Mission Program Manager

Utah State University Space Dynamics Laboratory; North Logan (UT); On-site; USD 135,000 - 220,000; Full time

Job summary

Utah State University Space Dynamics Laboratory in Utah is seeking a Mission Program Manager to lead end-to-end NASA and civil space missions, from concept to operations, ensuring technical, cost, schedule, and risk objectives are met.

The role requires deep experience managing integrated space systems, strong leadership and communication skills, and the ability to collaborate with scientists, government partners, and industry. Travel as needed; Top Secret clearance may be required.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in engineering or a closely related technical discipline.
• 10+ years of progressively responsible aerospace experience, including 5+ years leading complex spaceflight projects or programs.
• Experience managing development of integrated space systems (spacecraft, payloads, ground systems, or mission operations).
• Demonstrated experience leading multidisciplinary technical teams across multiple organizations.
• Strong understanding of the NASA program lifecycle from formulation through mission operations.
• Experience managing program cost, schedule, technical performance, and risk.
• Demonstrated experience with EVMS.
• Excellent leadership, communication, negotiation, and customer relationship skills.
• Ability to travel as required.
• U.S. citizenship with the ability to obtain and maintain a Top Secret security clearance.

Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end NASA and civil space missions from formulation through execution.
• Serve as the mission-level authority responsible for technical, cost, schedule, and programmatic success.
• Develop and maintain executable mission strategies that balance objectives, technical performance, affordability, and schedule.
• Lead mission formulation activities including concept development, architecture trades, Phase 0/Phase A studies, and proposal planning.
• Assist in developing mission implementation strategies with principal investigators, customers, and technical leadership.
• Lead development of competitive mission proposals, integrating technical, management, schedule, cost, and risk inputs.
• Support customer engagement and opportunity shaping activities prior to formal solicitations.
• Lead integrated development of spacecraft, payloads, ground systems, and mission operations.
• Direct multidisciplinary teams spanning SDL, universities, government organizations, industry partners, and subcontractors.
• Ensure successful execution through all NASA lifecycle phases from formulation through Phase E operations.
• Lead preparation for major NASA lifecycle reviews (SRR, PDR, CDR, FRR, etc.).
• Build trusted relationships with NASA HQ, centers, investigators, customers, and partners.
• Coordinate activities across organizations while maintaining alignment with mission objectives.
• Resolve complex technical and programmatic issues through collaborative leadership.
• Lead risk identification, mitigation planning, and program execution strategies.
• Apply EVMS and best practices throughout project execution.
• Mentor project managers and develop future mission leaders.
• Ensure mission commitments are achieved safely, within contractual requirements.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Negotiation

Customer relationships

Education

Bachelor's degree in engineering

Master’s degree (preferred)

Job description

Mission Program Manager

Space Dynamics Laboratory (SDL) is seeking an experienced Mission Program Manager to lead the formulation, capture, and execution of complex NASA and civil space missions within the Civil & Commercial Space Division (CVS). The position provides a unique opportunity to lead end‑to‑end spaceflight missions—from early concept development to mission operations—and serve as the mission‑level program manager responsible for overall success across technical, cost, schedule, risk, customer satisfaction, and partner integration.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead end‑to‑end NASA and civil space missions from formulation through execution.
• Serve as the mission‑level authority responsible for technical, cost, schedule, and programmatic success.
• Develop and maintain executable mission strategies that balance objectives, technical performance, affordability, and schedule.
• Lead mission formulation activities including concept development, architecture trades, Phase 0/Phase A studies, and proposal planning.
• Assist in developing mission implementation strategies in collaboration with principal investigators, customers, and technical leadership.
• Lead development of competitive mission proposals, integrating technical, management, schedule, cost, and risk inputs.
• Support customer engagement and opportunity shaping activities prior to formal solicitations.
• Lead integrated development of spacecraft, payloads, ground systems, and mission operations.
• Direct multidisciplinary teams spanning SDL, universities, government organizations, industry partners, and subcontractors.
• Ensure successful execution through all NASA lifecycle phases from formulation through Phase E operations.
• Lead preparation for major NASA lifecycle reviews, including SRR, PDR, CDR, FRR, and other program milestones.
• Build trusted relationships with NASA Headquarters, NASA Centers, principal investigators, commercial customers, and strategic partners.
• Coordinate technical and programmatic activities across multiple organizations while maintaining alignment with mission objectives.
• Resolve complex technical and programmatic issues through collaborative leadership.
• Lead risk identification, mitigation planning, and program execution strategies.
• Apply EVMS and other best practices throughout project execution.
• Mentor project managers and develop future mission leaders.
• Ensure mission commitments are achieved safely, successfully, and within contractual requirements.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in engineering or a closely related technical discipline.
• 10+ years of progressively responsible aerospace experience, including 5+ years leading complex spaceflight projects or programs.
• Extensive experience leading complex aerospace development programs with significant program management responsibility.
• Experience managing development of integrated space systems, including spacecraft, payloads, ground systems, or mission operations.
• Demonstrated experience managing multidisciplinary technical teams across multiple organizations.
• Strong understanding of the NASA program lifecycle from formulation through mission operations.
• Experience managing program cost, schedule, technical performance, and risk.
• Demonstrated experience with EVMS.
• Excellent leadership, communication, negotiation, and customer relationship skills.
• Ability to communicate effectively with scientists, engineers, executive leadership, customers, and external partners.
• Ability to travel as required.
• U.S. citizenship with the ability to obtain and maintain a Top Secret security clearance.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree in engineering or a related technical discipline.
• Project Management Professional (PMP) certification or equivalent.
• Experience leading or supporting NASA competitive mission proposals.
• Experience working directly with NASA Headquarters and NASA Centers.
• Experience supporting or leading Phase A through Phase E NASA missions.
• Experience managing geographically distributed teams involving government, academia, and industry.
• Experience with spacecraft development, scientific instruments, or mission operations.

Typical Salary Range

$135,000 – $220,000, commensurate with education and experience.

Benefits include competitive salaries, comprehensive benefits package, and professional growth opportunities within a collaborative culture.

For questions, assistance, or accommodation with the application process or the DoD SkillBridge program, please contact [e-mail].