Project Manager II - Research & Development

UCAR - The University Corporation for Atmospheric Research; Boulder (CO); Hybrid; USD 111,000 - 139,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical Insurance

Dental Insurance

Vision Insurance

STD/LTD Insurance

Retirement plan

PTO

Holidays

Job summary

UCAR - The University Corporation for Atmospheric Research seeks a Project Manager II - Research & Development to coordinate and execute project plans for new research infrastructure and scientific programs. The role resides in the DO Facilities & Large Projects Office, collaborating with NSF NCAR leadership and external sponsors.

The successful candidate will oversee scope, schedule, budget, risk, and change control, applying predictive, agile, and hybrid PM methods.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree and 2–4 years of experience managing scientific and technical projects.
• Experience coordinating cross‑functional R&D projects with increasing complexity.
• PMP certification is desirable but not required.

Responsibilities

• Define project outcomes, success metrics, and resource commitments.
• Plan scope, schedule, and budget with stakeholders.
• Use predictive, agile, and hybrid methodologies as needed.
• Lead project teams and manage change control processes.
• Identify risks and develop mitigation plans.
• Coordinate multiple projects to meet deadlines in a time‑sensitive environment.

Skills

Team collaboration

Stakeholder management

Time management

Communication skills

Project management methodologies

Leadership

Presentation skills

Risk management

Education

Bachelor's degree

PMP certification (desirable)

Tools

Smartsheet

MS Project

JIRA

Job description

Final Salary and Rates

Final salary and rates are based on education, experience, and skills relevant to the role.

Position Type

Regular

Visa Sponsored Job

No

Relocation Assistance Eligible

No

Hiring Range

111,246.00 USD - 139,056.00 USD

About The Role

The Project Manager II - Research & Development (R&D) role focuses on coordinating, developing, and executing on project plans for the effective organization and delivery of projects focused on the development of new research infrastructure (for example, instrumentation, supercomputing facility upgrades or systems) and/or scientific programs. Research and development projects may be led from within the NSF NCAR Director’s Office (DO) or from a lab or program within the Center. The Project Manager II will serve as a member of the DO Facilities & Large Projects Office (FLPO)/Project Management Office (PMO).

This individual will be responsible for overseeing the scope, schedule, budget, performance, risk, and change control management of assigned projects. The candidate will also be accountable for the timely completion of project deliverables, requirements, and outcomes. The individual’s portfolio will include a significant number of multidisciplinary cross-organizational projects and will require engagement with both internal and external team members and stakeholders. External stakeholders will include representatives of various federal agencies, including NSF, NASA, NOAA, and others. The Project Manager II will be confident in applying predictive (waterfall)-based project management methodologies but may also be called upon to employ agile and hybrid methodologies for relevant projects.

Background Checks

Background Checks: Conducted for candidates selected for hire.

The successful candidate cannot be affiliated with the Chinese government or a Chinese-owned company. For more information on this requirement, please see NASA PRC's FAQ for ROSES, appropriation law (Section 1340 of Public Law 112-10 and Section 539 of Public Law 112-55).

Work Location

Regardless of flexible work arrangements, UCAR requires ALL positions to be performed within the U.S., excluding U.S. Territories.

What You Will Do

Here is a brief summary of what one would expect to be generally responsible for in this role.

Project Planning and Execution

• Partners with program leadership and sponsors as required to define project outcomes, project success metrics and criteria, and resource and schedule commitments.
• Collaborates with and supports leadership in all aspects of assigned R&D projects including requirements development, planning (scope, schedule, and budget), and execution.
• Defines, creates, coordinates, and monitors integrated project plans utilizing appropriate project management methodologies (e.g., predictive,agile, hybrid).
• Motivates and leads project teams to complete project phases and deliverables for the development and implementation of the projects in this position’s portfolio. May also serve as indirect supervisor for some personnel assigned to these project teams. Leads the development and leverages project metrics to monitor and evaluate progress and performance against the project plan and for operations monitoring. Facilitates all checkpoint/status activities throughout the project lifecycle and program development.
• Manages change control processes for approval of changes to project scope, schedule, cost, and requirements.
• Implements risk identification and management processes and facilitates the development of mitigation plans for risks throughout each project’s lifecycle.
• Coordinates and balances multiple projects effectively to meet deadlines in a time-sensitive environment.
• Develops domain knowledge to ensure the ability to understand R&D project objectives and achieve project deliverables.
• Develops and supports predictive-based project planning with an ability to also deploy agile-based and hybrid project management methodologies as required.

Stakeholder Engagement, Communication, and Collaboration

• Facilitates interactions between NSF NCAR program leaders, staff members involved with the development and execution of R&D projects, NSF NCAR senior leadership, and other stakeholders and/or sponsors to drive successful project outcomes.
• Establishes strong relationships with internal and external program and project sponsor(s) and maintains regular communications on progress of assigned projects.
• Promotes a high level of collaboration and teamwork with program leaders, project sponsors, stakeholders, team members, and NSF NCAR senior leadership. Manages project communications plans and delivers regular project status reports and presentations for project sponsors, senior leadership, and other staff as appropriate.
• Proactively identifies and supports opportunities, avenues, and events for new community engagement. Engages community members around their shared goals and identifies ways to lower barriers to member participation.
• Ensures equitable engagement and facilitates communication among teams composed of members who are highly diverse in their disciplines, sectors, and/or job roles.

NSF NCAR Facilities & Large Projects Office (FLPO)/Project Management Office (PMO)

• As a member of the FLPO/PMO team in the DO, participates with other PMO team members in continual process improvement activities for project management, project intake, and regular planning. Supports the ongoing work of the FLPO/PMO team to research and recommend new or improved project management tools or leading practices to improve project outcomes.
• Collaborates with FLPO leadership, PMO team members, NSF NCAR lab and program personnel, and external stakeholders as required to identify and implement strategies for improved project execution.
• Shares and supports the use of best project management practices with groups outside of the FLPO/PMO, as required.

Who We’d Love To Join Our Team

Successful candidates will ensure their application materials speak to the following criteria:

Education and Experience

Bachelor’s degree and a minimum of 2-4 years of experience and demonstrated ability to successfully manage scientific and technical projects with increasing levels of complexity; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Desired, but not required

• Project Management Professional (PMP) certification

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Excellent team collaboration skills, including engaging stakeholders and project teams that operate in a mix of in-person, remote, or hybrid work environments.
• Excellent organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously while maintaining strict attention to detail.
• Advanced knowledge of, and demonstrated skill in, routinely applying project management principles to R&D projects, including experience using project tracking tools (e.g., Smartsheet, MS Project, JIRAetc.).
• Advanced skill in developing and managing project scope, schedule, and budget, including preparation, analysis, monitoring, and stewardship of assigned projects using predictive, agile, and hybrid project management styles.
• Advanced skill with project performance management metrics definition, tracking, and reporting.
• Ability to foster and sustain high-trust, high-performance teams; demonstrated skills in the areas of leadership, matrix management, relationship building, communications, and conflict resolution, and developing collaborative approaches with both internal and external stakeholders.
• Ability to thrive in a dynamic work setting, leveraging skills in team building, time management, resource management, communication management, and cost management.
• Excellent verbal and written communication and presentation skills.
• Ability to comprehend, synthesize, and communicate technical information.
• Previous experience managing NASA, NSF, and/or other federal agency-funded R&D projects strongly desired.

Desired, but not required

• Experience managing NASA, NSF, and/or other federal agency-funded R&D projects strongly desired.
• Experience in atmospheric or other Earth system research project support, especially research infrastructure (facility, instrumentation, software, etc.) projects.
• Understanding of NSF Office of Research Infrastructure (ORI) project management policies and processes for the design and execution of projects is strongly desired. (Information about the RIO is available at Research Infrastructure Resources)
• Understanding of NASA NPR 7120.5 Space Flight Program and Project Management Requirements is also strongly desired.

Preferred Qualifications

• Hiring Salary Range: $113,470 - $141,840

Benefits Overview

• Medical, Dental, Vision, and Short & Long Term Disability Insurance
• Generous retirement plan - UCAR contributes of 10% of base salary
• Time Off Plans
• Minimum 20 days of annual PTO
• 10 paid holidays
• 12 weeks of paid parental leave
• FAMLI Leave
• Tuition Assistance Program
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) eligible employer

UCAR is an Equal Opportunity Employer and welcomes applications from all individuals. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, age, sex, gender identity, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. Applicants are not required to provide age-related information (like date of birth or graduation dates) in initial submissions.

For sponsored positions: UCAR can sponsor individuals for H-1B status only if they are already in the U.S. in H-1B status or another visa status that allows them to change to H-1B status within the U.S. UCAR is unable to sponsor new H-1B visas for individuals who are outside the U.S. and need to obtain H-1B status through Consular Processing.

While UCAR does not prohibit the use of AI tools in job applications, we strongly recommend that applicants submit primarily original work.

All roles require compliance with U.S. export control regulations and work location requirements. All hybrid staff are expected to work on-site approximately 3 days per week.