What are the responsibilities and job description for the Program Manager, National Security Space position at Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory?
Description
Do you have a passion for space and a drive to make an impact in national defense?
Are you an experienced Program or Project Manager excited about space systems, cutting-edge technologies, and mission-driven innovation?
Are you ready to work with senior government sponsors and across the breadth of the Laboratory to bring together the best and brightest minds into a high-performing team that helps to achieve mission success on rapid development timelines?
If so, we’d love for you to join our team at APL.
We’re seeking a proven Program Manager (PM) to engage sponsors and drive mission success across the expanding space portfolio for the Space Readiness, Operations, and Intelligence Program Area of the National Security Space Mission Area (NSSMA). This role will require communication and coordination across all of the program areas within the NSSMA.
The ideal candidate will possess deep expertise in space operations, operational test and training, threat understanding and anticipation, and space warfighting command and control, enabling APL to provide trusted technical leadership and operational excellence to our government partners. They will have held technical and programmatic leadership positions within or in close collaboration with organizations such as the Space Systems Integration Office (SSIO), Advanced Kill Chains, Space-Cyber initiatives, Space Development Agency (SDA) Tranches, Space Rapid Capabilities Office (SpRCO), National Reconnaissance Office (NRO), DARPA, STARCOM, or comparable defense and intelligence agencies—bringing a holistic understanding of the mission, stakeholders, and technologies shaping the future of space operations. Note: this position will require the incumbent to occasionally work out of Chantilly, VA.
As a Program Manager, you will…
Lead Program Execution
Qualifications
You meet our minimum qualifications if you have:
At APL, you’ll work at the forefront of mission-critical innovation with teams that thrive on tackling the toughest challenges in space and defense. If you're ready to make a lasting impact, we’re ready to meet you.
About Us
Why Work at APL?
The Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory (APL) brings world-class expertise to our nation’s most critical defense, security, space and science challenges. While we are dedicated to solving complex challenges and pioneering new technologies, what makes us truly outstanding is our culture. We offer a vibrant, welcoming atmosphere where you can bring your authentic self to work, continue to grow, and build strong connections with inspiring teammates.
At APL, we celebrate our differences of perspectives and encourage creativity and bold, new ideas. Our employees enjoy generous benefits, including a robust education assistance program, unparalleled retirement contributions, and a healthy work/life balance. APL’s campus is located in the Baltimore-Washington metro area. Learn more about our career opportunities at http://www.jhuapl.edu/careers.
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, creed, color, religion, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, age, physical or mental disability, genetic information, veteran status, occupation, marital or familial status, political opinion, personal appearance, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. APL is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to individuals of all abilities, including those with disabilities. If you require a reasonable accommodation to participate in any part of the hiring process, please contact Accommodations@jhuapl.edu.
The referenced pay range is based on JHU APL’s good faith belief at the time of posting. Actual compensation may vary based on factors such as geographic location, work experience, market conditions, education/training and skill level with consideration for internal parity. For salaried employees scheduled to work less than 40 hours per week, annual salary will be prorated based on the number of hours worked. APL may offer bonuses or other forms of compensation per internal policy and/or contractual designation. Additional compensation may be provided in the form of a sign-on bonus, relocation benefits, locality allowance or discretionary payments for exceptional performance. APL provides eligible staff with a comprehensive benefits package including retirement plans, paid time off, medical, dental, vision, life insurance, short-term disability, long-term disability, flexible spending accounts, education assistance, and training and development. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis.
Minimum Rate
$140,000 Annually
Maximum Rate
$335,000 Annually
Do you have a passion for space and a drive to make an impact in national defense?
Are you an experienced Program or Project Manager excited about space systems, cutting-edge technologies, and mission-driven innovation?
Are you ready to work with senior government sponsors and across the breadth of the Laboratory to bring together the best and brightest minds into a high-performing team that helps to achieve mission success on rapid development timelines?
If so, we’d love for you to join our team at APL.
We’re seeking a proven Program Manager (PM) to engage sponsors and drive mission success across the expanding space portfolio for the Space Readiness, Operations, and Intelligence Program Area of the National Security Space Mission Area (NSSMA). This role will require communication and coordination across all of the program areas within the NSSMA.
The ideal candidate will possess deep expertise in space operations, operational test and training, threat understanding and anticipation, and space warfighting command and control, enabling APL to provide trusted technical leadership and operational excellence to our government partners. They will have held technical and programmatic leadership positions within or in close collaboration with organizations such as the Space Systems Integration Office (SSIO), Advanced Kill Chains, Space-Cyber initiatives, Space Development Agency (SDA) Tranches, Space Rapid Capabilities Office (SpRCO), National Reconnaissance Office (NRO), DARPA, STARCOM, or comparable defense and intelligence agencies—bringing a holistic understanding of the mission, stakeholders, and technologies shaping the future of space operations. Note: this position will require the incumbent to occasionally work out of Chantilly, VA.
As a Program Manager, you will…
Lead Program Execution
- Manage and grow a high-performing team that works effectively with sponsors to address their critical challenges.
- Develop a vision and strategy that promotes sponsor relationships and collaboration with industry and analytical partners.
- Lead sponsor reviews and provide execution oversight across technical performance, cost, schedule, risk, and security.
- Leverage APL’s core strengths in systems engineering, modeling and simulation, and prototyping.
- Anticipate future mission needs and define APL’s role in enabling space warfighting and mission assurance.
- Champion Independent Research and Development (IRaD) projects relevant for space test, training and operations.
- Strengthen the APL role as a trusted agent for sponsor supporting space
- Collaborate across the APL enterprise, working with Branch and Group Supervisors to assign project leadership.
- Mentor project managers and technical leads to ensure successful, on-time, and on-budget delivery of program outcomes.
- Engage with Program Area leadership to identify additional space readiness, operations, and intelligence in the development towards enabling space superiority
- Identify and pursue cross-cutting innovations based on insight from sponsors and related efforts.
- Contribute to internal research and development (IRAD) and align priorities with mission area strategy to advance national space capabilities.
- Decision Superiority – Deliver machine-enabled predictive capabilities, intelligent automation, and advanced analytics that give the U.S. strategic and tactical advantages.
- Multi-Domain Kill Webs – Enable integrated, cross-domain sensor-to-shooter architectures and accelerate the F2T2EA cycle for space-enabled operations.
- Combat-Ready Space Capabilities – Drive prototyping, T&E, and spaceflight demonstrations to strengthen space warfighting resilience and readiness.
- Threat Understanding & Anticipation – Apply engineering assessments and emulation to replicate adversary threats, enhancing the U.S.’s ability to anticipate and counter space-based challenges.
- Space Warfighting Brain Trust – Advance technical education and training within APL and support sponsor-side development through embedded engineering expertise and mission immersion.
Qualifications
You meet our minimum qualifications if you have:
- A Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field
- 5 years of team leadership
- Experience in technical program development
- Demonstrated success in sponsor engagement and project management
- The ability to occasionally travel to and work in Chantilly, VA
- An active Top Secret clearance and the ability to obtain TS/SCI level clearance. If selected, you will be subject to a government security clearance investigation and must meet the requirements for access to classified information. Eligibility requirements include U.S. citizenship.
- A Master’s degree or Ph.D. in a related field
- 5 years of team leadership experience in national security space programs (e.g., SDA, NRO, USSPACECOM, USSTARCOM)
- PM experience within intelligence community, DoD acquisition, or rapid prototyping environments
- A track record of leading cross-cutting initiatives aligned with NSS strategic priorities
- A reputation for driving innovation and providing strategic thought leadership in national security space
At APL, you’ll work at the forefront of mission-critical innovation with teams that thrive on tackling the toughest challenges in space and defense. If you're ready to make a lasting impact, we’re ready to meet you.
About Us
Why Work at APL?
The Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory (APL) brings world-class expertise to our nation’s most critical defense, security, space and science challenges. While we are dedicated to solving complex challenges and pioneering new technologies, what makes us truly outstanding is our culture. We offer a vibrant, welcoming atmosphere where you can bring your authentic self to work, continue to grow, and build strong connections with inspiring teammates.
At APL, we celebrate our differences of perspectives and encourage creativity and bold, new ideas. Our employees enjoy generous benefits, including a robust education assistance program, unparalleled retirement contributions, and a healthy work/life balance. APL’s campus is located in the Baltimore-Washington metro area. Learn more about our career opportunities at http://www.jhuapl.edu/careers.
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, creed, color, religion, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, age, physical or mental disability, genetic information, veteran status, occupation, marital or familial status, political opinion, personal appearance, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. APL is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to individuals of all abilities, including those with disabilities. If you require a reasonable accommodation to participate in any part of the hiring process, please contact Accommodations@jhuapl.edu.
The referenced pay range is based on JHU APL’s good faith belief at the time of posting. Actual compensation may vary based on factors such as geographic location, work experience, market conditions, education/training and skill level with consideration for internal parity. For salaried employees scheduled to work less than 40 hours per week, annual salary will be prorated based on the number of hours worked. APL may offer bonuses or other forms of compensation per internal policy and/or contractual designation. Additional compensation may be provided in the form of a sign-on bonus, relocation benefits, locality allowance or discretionary payments for exceptional performance. APL provides eligible staff with a comprehensive benefits package including retirement plans, paid time off, medical, dental, vision, life insurance, short-term disability, long-term disability, flexible spending accounts, education assistance, and training and development. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis.
Minimum Rate
$140,000 Annually
Maximum Rate
$335,000 Annually
Salary : $140,000 - $335,000