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.

JPL’s Office of Formulation has a new opportunity with responsible to engage in competed and assigned mission concept studies in the roles of Capture, portfolio and study lead.  

This key position is expected to:

• Have overall leadership responsibility for the successful delivery of mission proposals to appropriate Announcements of Opportunity (AOs) such as NASAs Discovery and New Frontiers programs and capture of large strategic assigned missions. Initiate, implement and conduct program-level concept studies in alignment with strategic direction and guidance from the Mission Directorate Associate Administrator (MDAA).

• Establish and structure high-performance capture teams including the assignment of key personnel and concur with project manager appointments.

• Oversee the development and integration of scientific, technical, financial and programmatic baselines.

• Lead development of program level cost estimates, prepare annual budgets including advising executive management. Deliver all products compliant with requirements and schedule.

• Respond to all institutional reviews, from Proposal Authorization Review (PAR) to Center Management Council (CMC).

• Interface with the Principal Investigator, the Program Office, the Innovation Foundry, the Engineering and Science Directorate, international and industrial partners.

• Assure the quality, accuracy, and integrity of the project deliverables in compliance with JPL standards, project plans and policies.

Skills and Qualifications:

• This position requires a Bachelor’s degree in relevant engineering or technical area with 12 years of related experience, a Master’s degree with 10 years of related experience, or a PhD with 8 years of related experience.

• Leadership experience in one of the following four areas:  Formulation, Implementation, Operations, or Line Management

• Demonstrated leadership in delivery of product (proposal, integrated system, hardware or software subsystem, data products, technology)

• Wide-ranging experience and expert knowledge in one or more related fields within the following areas: Mission concept development or Product Delivery Management/Cognizant engineer on flight projects, with experience in the application of at least one of the mission assurance disciplines.

• Multidisciplinary and in-depth expertise regularly used in the application,  of advanced principles, theories, concepts and techniques in the development, delivery and deployment of project deliverables on schedule and within cost while fulfilling mission objectives.

• Demonstrated leadership in delivery of product (proposal, integrated system, hardware or software subsystem, data products, technology) that have distinct subordinate components

• Excellent leadership and interpersonal skills and ability to inspire others

• Demonstrated ability to work with managers and engineers in several disciplines and lab organizations and multiple system contractors

• Demonstrated ability to drive multi-disciplinary technical issues and discussions to resolution within performance and schedule constraints

• Demonstrated ability to work seamlessly with JPL and Contractor line, program, project personnel, and Laboratory senior management throughout the institution

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including presentation skills.

• Demonstrated ability to accept overall accountability for cost, schedule, and development of the project mission concept.

• Experience performing/managing multiple tasks concurrently and resolving conflicts.

• Broad multidisciplinary technical and business knowledge, including Earned Value experience and WBS familiarity

Preferred Qualifications:

• Working knowledge of Laboratory policies and procedures, NASA policies and procedures, and government regulations in Mission Assurance and general project practices.

• Recognition as a Laboratory expert in field of proposal management and development.

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.

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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 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.