ASSISTANT PROGRAM MANAGER-R&D - Space Instruments and Payloads at Southwest Research Institute

Who We Are:

The Department of Space Instruments and Payloads is responsible for the mechanical development of spaceflight instrumentation, structures, and avionics. We design and fabricate custom solutions to answer or solve a complex situation not yet delivered by industry, as well as leverage our heritage platforms to accommodate a variety of payloads.

Objectives of this Role:

• Lead collaboration with multi-disciplinary teams.
• Space operations with an understanding of technology readiness level (TRL) research from across government, academia, and industry.
• Author technical and budgetary reports as needed to satisfy contractual obligations, and to maintain communications amongst team members.
• Provide input to deliverables and cost management for the department for the full program life cycle with an understanding of time, parts, and finance.
• Provide business development support both in the government and commercial sectors.

Daily and Monthly Responsibilities:

• Managing technical research programs. Be effective in leading collaboration that involves staff scientists and engineers plus outside originations in the aerospace sector.
• Maintain strong analytical and innovative skills in order to lead complex multi-disciplinary teams.
• Author technical and budgetary reports as needed to satisfy contractual obligations, and to maintain communications amongst team members.
• Provide business development support both in the government and commercial sectors, requiring customer interactions and proposal development.

Requirements:

• Requires an Bachelors or Masters degree in Mechanical Engineering or Electrical Engineering. Business degrees may be considered with directly related experience managing engineering teams.
• 5+ years: Experience managing budgets, inventory, purchase orders, and fleet vehicles.
• Strong organizational, management, communications, technical, and interpersonal skills are essential, work under moderate to minimal supervision, and demonstrate ability of accountability for completing assignments.
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Office products including Word, Excel, Teams, and PowerPoint. Knowledge of MS Project, Computer Aided Design (i.e., Fusion 360 or SolidWorks), is desirable but not necessary.
• Must have the ability to learn Institute internal software, procedures, and business rules. Experience in the space or aerospace manufacture sector is desirable.
• Knowledgeable in government acquisition regulations and ITAR is desirable.
• A valid/clear driver's license is required.