UPWARDS Program Manager
Company: Virginia Tech
Job Location: Blacksburg, Virginia
Category: Extension and Outreach
Type: Adjunct/Part-Time
Job Description
The UPWARDS (University Partnership for Workforce Advancement and Research & Development in Semiconductors) program is a large-scale, multi-university initiative involving five U.S. and five Japanese partner institutions. The program focuses on advancing semiconductor, microelectronics, and chip research, education, and workforce development, supported by the National Science Foundation (NSF) and industry partners including Micron and Tokyo Electron Limited (TEL). UPWARDS integrates research,…
education, and workforce pipelines through multiple coordinated programs, including:
- UPWARDS IEEE Micro-credential Program: Development and implementation of modular, industry-aligned credential programs to enhance workforce readiness in microelectronics, chips, and computing system domains.
- UPWARDS TechTrek High School Summer Camp: A series of two-week day camp program with each session host up to 50 high school students, featuring hands-on laboratory experience in AI, Chip, and Internet of Things (IoT), and exposure to engineering pathways.
- Year-round Academic and Workforce Development Activities: Workshops, outreach programs, industry engagement events, and cross-institutional collaborations with U.S. and Japanese partners.
This position is critical to ensuring integration across these components, as well as alignment with sponsors' reporting requirements and workforce development goals.
The Program Manager will play a key leadership role in research, program evaluation, and operational management across UPWARDS initiatives. The position is responsible for:
- Designing and conducting evaluation on the education and workforce development outcomes;
- Managing operations for the IEEE Micro-credential Program, summer camps, and year-round programming.
The role requires close collaboration with faculty leaders, partner universities (U.S. and Japan), industry sponsors, and NSF program leadership, and serves as a key coordination point for program execution and impact assessment.
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in engineering, education, or related field; or equivalent experience.
- Experience in program management, research evaluation, or workforce development initiatives.
- Demonstrated communication, organizational, and interpersonal skills.
- Ability to manage complex, multi-stakeholder programs.
Preferred Qualifications
- Master's degree in engineering, education, or related field.
- Experience in engineering education, STEM outreach, or workforce development programs.
- Experience with certificate and credential programs (e.g., IEEE micro-credentials or similar frameworks).
Pay Band
5
Salary Information
Starting at $35/hour.
Overtime Status
Non-Exempt: Eligible for overtime
Appointment Type
Restricted
Hours per week
20-29
Review Date
08/19/2026
Additional Information
The successful candidate will be required to have a criminal conviction check.
