Research Program Administration Manager V

Position Highlights

The University of Arizona's Steward Observatory invites you to apply for the role of Research Program Administration Manager V. This exciting opportunity allows the successful candidate to apply their knowledge and expertise in mechanical and aerospace engineering principles, instrumentation, and innovative technology to the project management, design, manufacturing, integration, and development of new and existing equipment for space-based telescope missions.

As Research Program Administration Manager, you will administer and oversee the development of a space-based telescope from concept to launch, utilizing best practices according to industry standards established for space projects. Technical work associated with these projects includes optics fabrication, telescope control systems, primary and secondary mirror support, instrumentation development, and various supporting functions for sub-systems of telescope development, fabrication, and operation.

Duties & Responsibilities

• Oversee & direct the long-term strategic direction of a major research program, aligning scientific objectives, technical execution, organization priorities with College of Science & institutional goals.
• Have significant impact on long-term strategic plans without much precedent, including developing & overseeing financial planning, budgeting, grant compliance, resource allocation, and employee management, to ensure program sustainability & effectiveness.
• Drive innovative solutions to complex technical & strategic challenges, ensuring alignment with mission requirements & advancing capabilities in telescope & space-based research.
• Oversee finances and administrative activities, including assessing proposals for projects to determine if they are technically and financially feasible. Provide cost, schedule, and technical inputs to proposals.
• Provide leadership & oversight of a team of managers and subject matter experts who develop, implement, and maintain operational plans, programs, systems & technical aspects of contracts.
• Lead technical & resource planning oversight, schedules, facilities, safety support, and cost inputs with respect to mechanical, integration, and test activities.
• Research and report on new technology implementations.
• Lead the mechanical design & development of scientific instruments, guiding a team of multi-disciplinary managers through Critical Design Review (CDR) & Instrument Integration to ensure technical performance & mission readiness.
• Set institutional expectations of performance, pay, hiring decisions, and day-to-day work as needed.
• Manage interfaces and represent the university with external partners subcontractors serving as a technical liaison to influence institutional level decisions.
• Cultivate strategic global research partnerships across multiple institutions to ensure that program goals are met.