Subject Matter Expert 3

Astrion; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 140,000 - 210,000; Part time

Job summary

Astrion is seeking a Subject Matter Expert 3 to support the NASA CPSS II team at NASA JSC. This role demands executive-level leadership across strategic planning, project planning, and complex program management to advance Artemis mission objectives.

Responsibilities include directing major programs, guiding multidisciplinary teams, negotiating with customers and senior leadership, and delivering actionable executive briefings.

Qualifications

• MS/MA and extensive experience in strategic planning and program management.
• Recognized as a subject matter expert in one or more disciplines (planning, management, requirements).
• Experience leading major programs with significant impact and managing budgets, risks, and schedules.
• Strong negotiation, communications, and executive briefing abilities.
• Ability to obtain and maintain security clearance if applicable.

Responsibilities

• Serve as senior SME and programmatic authority in specialized disciplines.
• Provide executive-level technical and management leadership for major programs and initiatives.
• Establish goals and execution plans aligned with priorities and mission objectives.
• Direct planning, execution, and delivery of complex projects with cost and schedule oversight.
• Lead multidisciplinary teams and coordinate across technical, business, and program management functions.
• Mentor senior staff and ensure compliance with contracts and regulations.

Skills

Strategic planning

Project planning

Requirements management

Stakeholder management

Technology integration

Independent assessments

Executive briefing

Leadership

Education

MS/MA

Doctorate or advanced graduate education

Job description

Overview

Subject Matter Expert 3

Location : NASA JSC

Job Status : PT

Travel : Limited, as needed

Must be a US citizen

Join the NASA CPSS II team as a Subject Matter Expert (SME) 3to support the Science and Technology Office (STO). This is your opportunity to contribute to the Artemis missions and shape the future of space exploration.

Job Responsibilities

• Serve as the senior authority and recognized programmatic subject matter expert (SME) in one or more specialized disciplines, including but not limited to strategic planning, project planning, requirements management, independent assessments, stakeholder management, technology integration, or related functional areas.
• Provide executive-level technical and management leadership for major programs, projects, and high-impact technology initiatives.
• Establish strategic goals, objectives, and execution plans that align with organizational priorities, customer requirements, and mission objectives.
• Direct and oversee the planning, execution, and successful delivery of complex projects, ensuring technical, schedule, cost, and performance objectives are achieved.
• Serve as the primary technical authority for assigned programs, providing expert guidance on complex technical and programmatic issues.
• Lead multidisciplinary teams in the execution of major assignments, ensuring effective coordination across technical, business, and program management functions.
• Direct and manage project activities, including financial management, resource planning, staffing, risk management, and overall program execution.
• Develop and implement innovative strategies, methodologies, and best practices to improve organizational effectiveness and project performance.
• Evaluate project performance, identify strategic risks and opportunities, and implement corrective actions to ensure successful program outcomes.
• Lead independent assessments, technical reviews, and organizational evaluations, providing executive-level recommendations and implementation strategies.
• Represent the organization in negotiations, customer engagements, technical exchanges, and executive-level meetings with government agencies, industry partners, and senior leadership.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with customers, stakeholders, and executive leadership to support mission success and organizational objectives.
• Prepare and deliver executive briefings, strategic reports, white papers, and recommendations to senior government and corporate leadership.
• Mentor senior technical staff, project managers, and subject matter experts while fostering collaboration, innovation, and continuous improvement across the organization.
• Ensure compliance with contractual requirements, organizational policies, applicable regulations, and industry best practices throughout project execution.

Minimum Qualifications

• MS/MA.
• Minimum of 25 years of applicable professional experience.
• Recognized authority and subject matter expert in one or more specialized disciplines, such as strategic planning, project planning, requirements management, stakeholder management, technology integration, or related programmatic functions.
• Extensive experience leading major programs, technology initiatives, or organizational efforts with significant strategic and operational impact.
• Demonstrated success directing multidisciplinary teams responsible for complex technical, business, and program management activities.
• Experience managing project financial performance, resource allocation, staffing, risk management, and overall program execution.
• Proven ability to establish strategic goals, develop execution plans, and lead organizations toward successful mission outcomes.
• Demonstrated experience negotiating with customers, senior executives, and external stakeholders on complex technical, contractual, and programmatic matters.
• Exceptional leadership, analytical, strategic planning, and decision‑making skills.
• Outstanding written, verbal, and presentation skills, including experience briefing executive leadership, government officials, and customer organizations.
• Ability to obtain and maintain any required security clearance, if applicable.

Preferred Qualifications

• Doctorate or advanced graduate education in Business, Engineering, Systems Engineering, Project Management, Public Administration, or a related field.
• Experience supporting NASA, DoD, or other Federal government aerospace and research and development programs.
• Professional certification such as Project Management Professional (PMP), Program Management Professional (PgMP), Certified Systems Engineering Professional (CSEP), Lean Six Sigma Black Belt, or other relevant industry certifications.
• Experience serving as a Program Manager, Chief Engineer, Technical Director, or equivalent executive leadership role on large, complex government programs.
• Demonstrated experience leading enterprise‑wide strategic initiatives, organizational transformation efforts, and high‑visibility customer engagements.
• Experience managing large, multidisciplinary organizations and advising executive leadership on mission‑critical technical and business decisions.