Deputy Director - South Dakota Space Grant Consortium

Posting Details

Posting Number: NFE
03195P

Department: SDSU-Mechanical Engineering

Physical Location of Position (City):
Brookings

Posting Date: 09/09/2026

Closing Date: 10/12/2026

Duration of the Term: 12 months

Appointment Percent: 100

Work Hours:

8am-5pm

Appointment Type:
Regular

Deputy Director - South Dakota Space Grant Consortium

South Dakota State University (SDState) is looking for a well-organized and motivated individual to serve as the Deputy Director of the South Dakota Space Grant Consortium (SDSGC) within the Department of Mechanical Engineering under the supervisor of the Director. The Deputy Director is responsible for managing the day-to-day operations as well as helping to ensure compliance with the NASA Space Grant and NASA EPSCoR requirements.

This position is a 12-month, full-time, benefits-eligible position located in Brookings, SD.

It is the vision of the South Dakota Space Grant Consortium to expand opportunities for all through education, research, and public service in the fields of aerospace, earth science, and supporting STEM disciplines. Through this vision, the SDSGC endeavors to use science, technology, engineering and math to help instill the spirit of exploration and discovery into students, educators and the general public alike with the mission of creating a positive impact on the nation’s developing workforce.

Must be authorized to work in the U.S. Sponsorship is not available for this position.

• Coordinating and implementing SDSGC programs across member institutions and affiliates, including student research initiatives, faculty grants, outreach, K–12 and public engagement.
• Leading internal grant competitions (e.g. SDSGC Program Innovation Grants, NASA Internships and Fellowship student awards, Teacher Grants, EPSCoR Research Initiation, faculty seed funding, etc.) and helping to manage proposal review and communicating award decisions.
• Overseeing budgeting and fiscal management in collaboration with the Director and Management Team, ensuring timely financial reporting.
• Compiling annual and ad hoc reports for NASA and state stakeholders; ensuring compliance with federal grant regulations and evaluation protocols.
• Organizing evaluation efforts in partnership with an external evaluator.
• Representing SDSGC at institutional, state, and national meetings, including NASA Space Grant consortium gatherings, when necessary.
• Assisting in developing funding proposals to expand collaborations with academic affiliates, industry, government agencies, and other stakeholders.
• Promoting SDSGC programs through public outreach, campus visits, educational workshops, and engagement with elected officials.
• Traveling statewide to member campuses and periodically attending national conferences or partner meetings.
• Supporting development and maintenance of a collaborative, equitable workplace culture for staff, students, and partners.

• medical, dental, and flexible benefits, retirement plans, compensation packages, paid holidays, and vacation leave.
• We offer a generous retirement plan that includes 6% matching, 10 hours ofannual leave each month, 9.34 hours of sick leave each month, andeleven paid holidays.
• Employees also have access to internal and state-sponsored training as well as reduced tuition for state-supported courses at all State of South Dakota academic institutions.
• Relocation benefits are available per university’s guidelines.

• Bachelor’s degree in a STEM or Education field (science, engineering, mathematics, or STEM education) by start date.
• Minimum of 1 year of experience in STEM education, outreach, program coordination, or grant administration at the university level.
• Experience with spreadsheets, database…