Program Area Manager IV/V TS/SCI (National Programs Office)

Jet Propulsion Laboratory; United States; On-site; USD 164,000 - 264,000; Full time

Job summary

Jet Propulsion Laboratory, located in Pasadena, CA, seeks a Program Area Manager to lead national security and defense initiatives. You will build customer relationships, secure major opportunities, and guide multi-disciplinary teams to deliver high-impact missions.

The role requires advanced degrees or equivalent experience, proven leadership across the BD lifecycle, and deep knowledge of defense-related processes. Expect on-site collaboration and a track record of successful program execution.

Qualifications

• Leadership experience in formulation, implementation, operations and delivery of programs.
• Multidisciplinary knowledge of national defense and space-related processes.
• Extensive business development experience from market development to repeat business.

Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain relationships with customer management and JPL task managers to secure new business.
• Secure technology development tasks and major project opportunities with customers.
• Plan, direct resources, schedule, and oversee cost, schedule, and performance.
• Represent JPL at customer and technical interface exchanges and report work status.

Skills

Leadership

BD lifecycle

Systems engineering

Technical development

DoD knowledge

Proposal development

Stakeholder management

Education

PhD in Engineering

MA/MS in related field

BA/BS in related field

Job description

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

• The Program Area Manager within the National Programs Office supporting National Security and National Defense and Military business development initiatives.

Tasks

• 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.
• Be responsible for securing technology development tasks and major project opportunities with customers & 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 a minimum of 5 years of related work experience, or MA/MS degree in similar discipline with a minimum of 7 years of related work experience, or BA/BS degree in a similar discipline with a minimum of 9 years of related 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 undefined.

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 the most complex customer and stakeholder relationships, systems and technology development at various levels of scope and complexity.
• Relevant knowledge of and experience with the DoW/NSS sponsors and contractor ecosystem.

Security Clearance

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.

Salary

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

The typical full time equivalent annual hiring range for this job in Pasadena, California. $164,216 - $200,200.

Benefits

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.

Equal Opportunity and Diversity

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. EEO is the Law. EEO is the Law Supplement Pay Transparency Nondiscrimination Provision 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.

About JPL

Formed in 1936, the NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory is a federally funded research and development center managed for NASA by the California Institute of Technology (Caltech). JPL joined NASA as an FFRDC when the agency was founded in 1958. JPL helped open the Space Age by developing America’s first Earth‑orbiting science satellite, creating the first successful interplanetary spacecraft, and sending robotic missions to the solar system. Today JPL continues its world‑leading innovation, implementing programs in planetary exploration, Earth science, space-based astronomy and technology development while applying its capabilities to technical and scientific problems of national significance. Above all, we are explorers. At JPL we promote collaboration, innovation, integrity, and excellence in distinct academic areas. We turn ideas for science investigation into the reality of groundbreaking space missions, partnering with our strategic business teams to guide JPL into the future.