Operations Control Center Manager

Department: Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory

Location: Burlington, MA

Compensation: $167,560 - $197,200 / year

Final date to receive applications: 2 October 2026

OPENING DATE: September 24, 2026

CLOSING DATE: October 02, 2026

SERIES/GRADE: 0301/15

TYPE OF POSITION: Trust Indefinite (Non-Federal)

DIVISION: High Energy Astrophysics Division

LOCATION: Burlington, MA

AREA OF CONSIDERATION: This position requires access to export-controlled work. The candidate must be a U.S. person (citizen, permanent resident or be a national of a country eligible to be approved on an export license.)

Trust Fund positions are unique to the Smithsonian. They are paid for from a variety of sources, including the Smithsonian endowment, revenue from our business activities, donations, grants and contracts. Trust employees are not part of the civil service, nor does trust fund employment lead to Federal status. The salary ranges for trust positions are generally the same as for federal positions and in many cases trust and federal employees work side by side.

Trust employees have their own benefit program, which may include Health, Dental & Vision Insurance, Life Insurance, Transit/Commuter Benefits, Accidental Death and Dismemberment Insurance, Annual and Sick Leave, Family Friendly Leave, 403b Retirement Plan, Discounts for Smithsonian Memberships, Museum Stores and Restaurants, Credit Union, Flexible Spending Account (Health & Dependent Care).

• Pass Pre-employment Background Check and Subsequent Background Investigation, as required.
• Complete a Probationary Period if applicable.
• Maintain a Bank Account for Direct Deposit/Electronic Transfer.
• The position is open to all candidates eligible to work in the United States. Proof of eligibility to work in U.S. is not required to apply.
• Applicants must meet all qualification and eligibility requirements within 30 days of the closing date of this announcement.

The Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory (SAO) is at the forefront, internationally, of the scientific exploration of the universe. SAO combines its resources with those of the Harvard College Observatory to form the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics (CfA). The CfA is the best-known astrophysics center in the world. Its programs range from ground-based astronomy and astrophysics research to space-based research, the engineering and development of major scientific instrumentation for space launch and use in large ground-based facilities, and research designed to improve science education.

The research objectives of SAO are carried out primarily with the support of Government and Smithsonian Institution funds, with additional philanthropic support. Government funds are in the form of Federal appropriations or the form of contracts and grants from other agencies. In contrast, Institution funds are available to SAO through grants from the Institution's Restricted Funds, Special Purpose Funds, Bureau Activities, Business Activities, and non-Federal contracts and grants.

This position is for the OCC Manager in the Operations Control Center (OCC) of the High Energy Astrophysics Division. The OCC Manager is responsible for training and supervising three teams within the OCC: the Ground Operations Team (GOT), the Integration Team (INT), and the Facility Support Team (FST). Collectively, these teams form the Integrated Support Team. As lead, the OCC Manager provides managerial oversight of the OCC Data System, including its software, facility infrastructure, and hardware.

In addition, the OCC Manager works with the Flight Operations Team Manager and the INT Manager to track evolving requirements for the data system software and to develop and implement configuration changes. The Integrated Support Team receives all data from the Chandra X-ray Observatory Center, processes data for Flight Operations, and handles all command processing for the Chandra X-ray Observatory Center.

The OCC Manager reports directly to the Flight Director.

• Leads the development and maintenance of OCC hardware and software systems by managing teams of computer hardware and software specialists, providing technical direction, conducting technical reviews, and ensuring all software systems meet the needs of scientific users.
• Provides overall human resources management to the OCC team including planning and assigning work, setting priorities, conducting performance reviews,…