UPWARDS Program Manager

Job Description

The UPWARDS (University Partnership for Workforce Advancement and Research & Development in Semiconductors) program is a large-scale, multi-university initiative involving five U.S. and five Japanese partner institutions. The program focuses on advancing semiconductor, microelectronics, and chip research, education, and workforce development, supported by the National Science Foundation (NSF) and industry partners including Micron and Tokyo Electron Limited (TEL). UPWARDS integrates research, education, and workforce pipelines through multiple coordinated programs, including:

• UPWARDS IEEE Micro-credential Program:
  Development and implementation of modular, industry-aligned credential programs to enhance workforce readiness in microelectronics, chips, and computing system domains.
• UPWARDS Tech Trek High School Summer Camp: A series of two-week day camp program with each session host up to 50 high school students, featuring hands-on laboratory experience in AI, Chip, and Internet of Things (IoT), and exposure to engineering pathways.
• Year-round Academic and Workforce Development
  
  Activities:
  
  Workshops, outreach programs, industry engagement events, and cross-institutional collaborations with U.S. and Japanese partners.

• 537010
• Alexandria, Virginia
• Institute for Advanced Computing
• Hourly Wage/Part-Time
• Greater Washington, D.C Area

• Designing and conducting evaluation on the education and workforce development outcomes;
• Managing operations for the IEEE Micro-credential Program, summer camps, and year-round programming.

• Bachelor's degree in engineering, education, or related field; or equivalent experience.
• Experience in program management, research evaluation, or workforce development initiatives.
• Demonstrated communication, organizational, and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to manage complex, multi-stakeholder programs.

• Master’s degree in engineering, education, or related field.
• Experience in engineering education, STEM outreach, or workforce development programs.
• Experience with certificate and credential programs (e.g., IEEE micro-credentials or similar frameworks).

5

Starting at $35/hour.

Non-Exempt:
Eligible for overtime

Restricted

20-29

08/19/2026

The successful candidate will be required to have a criminal conviction check.

Dedicated to its motto, Ut Prosim (That I May Serve), Virginia Tech pushes the boundaries of knowledge by taking a hands-on, transdisciplinary approach to preparing scholars to be leaders and problem-solvers. A comprehensive land-grant institution that enhances the quality of life in Virginia and throughout the world, Virginia Tech is an inclusive community dedicated to knowledge, discovery, and creativity. The university offers more than 280 majors to a diverse enrollment of more than 36,000 undergraduate, graduate, and professional students in eight undergraduate colleges, a school of medicine, a veterinary medicine college, Graduate School, and Honors College.

The university has a significant presence across Virginia, including Blacksburg, the greater Washington, D.C. area, the Health Sciences and Technology Campus in Roanoke, sites in Newport News and Richmond, and numerous Extension offices and research institutes. A leading global research institution, Virginia Tech conducts more than $650 million in research annually. Virginia Tech endorses and encourages participation in professional development opportunities and university shared governance.

These valuable contributions to university shared governance provide important representation and perspective, along with opportunities for unique and impactful professional development.

Virginia Tech does not discriminate against employees, students, or applicants on the basis of age, color, disability, sex (including pregnancy), gender, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, ethnicity or national origin, political affiliation, race, religion, sexual orientation, or military status, or otherwise discriminate against employees or applicants who inquire about, discuss, or disclose their compensation or the compensation of other employees or applicants, or on any other basis protected by law.

If you are an individual with a disability and desire an accommodation, please contact Stuart Cline at stuart
90 during regular business hours at least 10 business days prior to the event.