Senior Scientific Leader, Space Biology & Engineering

Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

NASA Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center in Houston, TX seeks a senior technical leader to oversee advanced research and mentor the workforce. You will guide cross-disciplinary teams, provide top-level guidance to executives, and represent the center in high-level forums and reviews.

You will develop standards, policies, and reports informing leadership decisions, and collaborate with contractors and partner agencies on complex programs. A strong background in aerospace science is essential.

Qualifications

• One year of directly related specialized experience equivalent to the GS-09 level: Conducting scientific or technical analysis, design, testing, or evaluation using established methods; applying scientific or technical procedures and judgment with limited supervision; producing scientific or technical reports, recommendations, or assisting in refining procedures, experimental setups, or data collection methods to support project objectives.
• Completed all requirements for a doctoral degree (Ph.D. or equivalent) in an appropriate field
• Completed 3 full academic years of graduate education in an appropriate field
• An equivalent combination of experience and graduate study as discussed in a), b) and c) above

Responsibilities

• Directs technical or scientific efforts across organizational boundaries and provides authoritative guidance to senior officials on highly complex scientific matters.
• Conducts and oversees advanced technical or scientific research, experiments, analysis, design, test, and evaluation. Applies expert judgment to resolve complex technical or scientific problems and recommends optimal solutions.
• Advises executive leadership and program managers on complex technical or scientific programmatic matters. Represents the organization in high-level technical or scientific forums, boards, and reviews at the agency and interagency levels.
• Develops or approves scientific techniques, standards, processes, procedures, technical policies, and requirements documents at the program or enterprise level. Authors technical reports and assessments that inform senior leadership decisions.
• Provides technical or scientific mentorship and discipline leadership across experience levels. Serves as a functional area expert supporting long-term organizational technical capability and scientific workforce development.
• Represents the organization in technical or scientific exchanges with contractors, partner agencies, and external entities. Leads formal technical reviews and integrated product teams requiring senior-level scientific expertise.
• For supervisory positions, you will perform a full range of supervisory duties which includes assigning and evaluating work; recommending personnel actions; taking disciplinary actions; and identifying training needs and developing employees.

Job description

NASA Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center in Houston, TX seeks a senior technical leader to oversee advanced research and mentor the workforce. You will guide cross-disciplinary teams, provide top-level guidance to executives, and represent the center in high-level forums and reviews.

You will develop standards, policies, and reports informing leadership decisions, and collaborate with contractors and partner agencies on complex programs. A strong background in aerospace science is essential.