Mission Area Executive Civil Space Flight

Mission Area Executive (MAE) – Civil Space Flight Mission Area (CSFMA)

The Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory (APL) is seeking an accomplished leader to serve as the Mission Area Executive for the Civil Space Flight Mission Area within the Space Exploration Sector. The role will provide executive leadership for APL’s most strategically important mission area, executing a portfolio of civil space flight programs in alignment with the sector’s vision and ensuring the delivery of technically complex, high‑risk missions.

Mission Success and Strategic Execution

• Provide executive oversight of all Civil Space Flight programs in development and operations to ensure technical excellence, mission assurance, cost, and schedule performance.
• Prioritize and align Mission Area execution efforts, proactively removing internal and external roadblocks and strengthening execution efficiency across programs.
• Provide leadership and guidance for a set of agile missions in development and operations.
• Ensure effective integration of execution planning in the Space Exploration Sector’s formulation efforts in coordination with the Space Formulation Mission Area.
• Develop and execute the Civil Space Flight Mission Area Vision, Strategy, and Execution in alignment with the Space Exploration Sector strategy.
• Lead adaptation of Mission Area processes, procedures, and culture to respond to changing sponsor needs, evolving mission profiles, and the growing role of the commercial space industry.
• Envision and invest in future in‑house capabilities to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of program execution through an internal research and development program.
• Champion continuous improvement in earned‑value management and other business practices, execution models, and organizational collaboration.

Sponsor, Partner, and External Engagement

• Serve as the primary program execution interface to senior government sponsors and key stakeholders for civil space flight programs.
• Build and sustain strong relationships with NASA Headquarters, NASA Centers, international partners, commercial providers, and the U.S. space industry.
• Represent APL and CSFMA in strategic forums and engagements within APL and across the civil and commercial space communities.

People, Leadership, and Organization

• Build, lead, and sustain a high‑performing leadership team within the Mission Area.
• Ensure development of a strong pipeline of future leaders capable of managing programs across a wide range of size, complexity, and risk.
• Oversee hiring, mentoring, performance management, and professional development activities, including strengthening program management capabilities across the Mission Area.
• Foster a culture where mission success comes first and people matter.

Enterprise Leadership and Resource Stewardship

• As a member of the Space Exploration Sector Leadership Team and APL Executive Leadership Team, contribute to APL and Sector strategic planning and execution.
• Collaborate with the SES Managing Executive and Operations Executive to ensure adequate staffing, capabilities, facilities, and capital resources.
• Appropriately manage indirect funds allocated to the Mission Area.
• Work with peer Mission Area Executives to address seams across mission areas using an enterprise perspective to deliver best‑of‑APL solutions.

You meet our minimum qualifications if you have:

• A MS degree or higher in engineering, physical sciences, mathematics, computer science, or a related technical discipline.
• At least 15 years of relevant professional experience in aerospace or space flight systems development, including at least 5 years of significant leadership responsibility equivalent to Program Manager, Program Area Manager, or Branch Supervisor in the execution of space flight missions.
• Demonstrated success achieving technical, quality, cost, and schedule performance on complex spaceflight or equivalent programs.
• An outstanding record of leading multidisciplinary technical organizations and teams.
• Proven executive leadership competencies, including change management, risk management, prioritization, collaboration, and conflict resolution.
• Excellent…