R&D Manager - Space Control Futures Job at Sandia National Laboratories (Albuquerque)

Job Description

Sandia National Laboratories is seeking an enthusiastic and strategic leader to serve as the R&D Manager for the newly envisioned Space Control Futures Department (6376). The Space Mission Program (Center 6300) continues to experience rapid growth in the space control mission area. As a Space Mission Engineering Program Office (SMEPO) program manager, this role is central to shaping the future of space control at Sandia—strengthening sponsor relationships, identifying new opportunities, and ensuring execution of funded programs. Working in close partnership with the SMEPO program office, the manager will be responsible for both program development and project execution in this rapidly expanding business area. The ideal candidate combines technical credibility with program development acumen, bringing experience across space control disciplines and the ability to cultivate new partnerships. You will be responsible for building a team of scientists and engineers whose expertise may span physics, systems engineering, electrical and mechanical engineering, RF, cyber, data science, and computer science. Your leadership will ensure technical excellence while positioning SMEPO for sustainable growth and increased mission impact.

Job Responsibility

Set strategic direction by aligning technical capabilities with emerging mission needs and influencing investment priorities
Build and sustain sponsor relationships by identifying new opportunities and securing future work for Sandia
Collaborate with peer managers and program offices to deliver modeling, simulation, analysis, software, and hardware products to defense and intelligence community sponsors—on schedule and to Sandia’s standards of quality
Manage and mentor a team of innovative scientists and engineers, including recruiting, retention, performance management, engagement, career development, and aligning staff skills with project needs
Travel for sponsor meetings and offsite engagements (approximately every 4–8 weeks)

Requirements

A Bachelor's degree in a relevant discipline and eight (8) years of directly relevant experience, or an equivalent combination of directly relevant education and engineering or scientific experience that demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and ability to perform independent research and development
Ability to obtain and maintain a DOE Q and SCI clearance

Nice to have

Two or more years of demonstrated leadership experience
A graduate degree in science or engineering (M.S. or Ph.D.)
Outstanding interpersonal skills and the ability to build trusting relationships with peers, staff, management, customers, and stakeholders
Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including developing and delivering presentations, proposals, reports, and technical documentation
Experience managing spacecraft and/or ground station research and development programs
A working understanding of relevant space control disciplines
Familiarity with modeling and simulation environments for mission analysis and astrodynamics (e.g., STK) and wargaming tools (e.g., AFSIM)
Experience in technical program development, including cultivating sponsor relationships, identifying new opportunities, and securing future work in national security space missions
Demonstrated ability to develop innovative, forward-looking approaches that address unmet mission needs and create new opportunities for Sandia
Experience leading technical product development teams in the delivery of high rigor systems meeting sponsor requirements
Line management experience, including career guidance, recruiting and hiring, performance management, and staff development
Demonstrated ability to initiate and build new teams to address emerging national technology needs
Experience in engineering project management, including cost, schedule, and performance oversight—ideally with exposure to DoD acquisition-gate processes and Agile methodologies

What we offer

Challenging work with amazing impact that contributes to security, peace, and freedom worldwide
Extraordinary co-workers
Some of the best tools, equipment, and research facilities in the world
Career advancement and enrichment opportunities
Flexible work arrangements for many positions include 9/80 (work 80 hours every two weeks, with every other Friday off) and 4/10 (work 4 ten-hour days each week) compressed workweeks, part-time work, and telecommuting (a mix of onsite work and working from home)
Generous vacation, strong medical and other benefits, competitive 401k, learning opportunities, relocation assistance and amenities aimed at creating a solid work/life balance

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R&D Manager - Space Control Futures

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