Mission Program Manager

Mission Program Manager

Space Dynamics Laboratory (SDL) is seeking an experienced Mission Program Manager to lead the formulation, capture, and execution of complex NASA and Civil Space missions within the Civil & Commercial Space Division (CVS).

This position provides a unique opportunity to lead end‑to‑end spaceflight missions—from early mission concept development and proposal capture through spacecraft and payload development, integration and test, launch, and mission operations. The selected candidate will serve as the mission‑level program manager responsible for overall mission success across technical, cost, schedule, risk, customer satisfaction, and partner integration.

Working alongside principal investigators, NASA program offices, external spacecraft providers, university partners, subcontractors, and SDL engineering teams, the Mission Program Manager will lead geographically distributed teams developing innovative scientific space missions that advance discovery across astrophysics, heliophysics, Earth science, planetary science, and emerging civil space opportunities.

The successful candidate will thrive in both technical and programmatic leadership roles, bringing together diverse organizations around a common mission vision while maintaining disciplined execution throughout the project lifecycle.

About the Civil & Commercial Space Division:
The division develops complete mission solutions for NASA and commercial customers by combining world‑class expertise in scientific instruments, spacecraft technologies, calibration systems, mission systems engineering, integration and test, mission operations, and program management. Our teams help define, capture, build, launch, and operate missions that enable groundbreaking scientific discovery.

• Lead end‑to‑end NASA and civil space missions from formulation through mission execution.
• Serve as the mission‑level authority responsible for overall technical, cost, schedule, and programmatic success.
• Develop and maintain executable mission strategies that balance mission objectives, technical performance, affordability, and schedule.

• Lead mission formulation activities including concept development, architecture trades, Phase 0/Phase A studies, and proposal planning.
• Assist in development of mission implementation strategies in collaboration with principal investigators, customers, and technical leadership.
• Lead development of competitive mission proposals, integrating technical, management, schedule, cost, and risk inputs into a cohesive mission solution.
• Support customer engagement and opportunity shaping activities prior to formal solicitations.

• Lead integrated development of spacecraft, payloads, ground systems, and mission operations.
• Direct multidisciplinary teams spanning SDL, universities, government organizations, industry partners, and subcontractors.
• Ensure successful execution through all NASA lifecycle phases from formulation through Phase E operations.
• Lead preparation for major NASA lifecycle reviews including Systems Requirements Review (SRR), Preliminary Design Review (PDR), Critical Design Review (CDR), Flight Readiness Review (FRR), and other program milestones as applicable.

• Build trusted relationships with NASA Headquarters, NASA Centers, principal investigators, commercial customers, and strategic partners.
• Coordinate technical and programmatic activities across multiple organizations while maintaining alignment with mission objectives.
• Resolve complex technical and programmatic issues through collaborative leadership.

• Lead risk identification, mitigation planning, and program execution strategies.
• Apply Earned Value Management (EVMS) and other program management best practices throughout project execution.
• Mentor project managers and develop future mission leaders.
• Ensure mission commitments are achieved safely, successfully, and within contractual requirements.

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering or closely related technical discipline.
• 10+ years of progressively responsible…