Do you have a passion for space exploration?

Are you eager to help shape new technologies and missions that will advance the Nation’s space program?

If so, we're looking for someone like you to join our team at APL!

We are seeking one or more Formulation Leads to advance and lead sponsor engagement and concept development activities to win competitive or early phases of directed NASA science and technology missions and instruments that expand our understanding of the Universe. The Formulation Lead(s) have key responsibilities for helping develop the vision and strategy for APL’s Civil Space Mission Area (CSMA) programs, the pre-formulation of missions, and managing the proposal process for new opportunities (e.g., NASA, NOAA, NSF Announcement of Opportunities). Formulation lead(s) will be supported with a team of managers, engineers, and scientists.

Your responsibilities will include...

Sponsor & Partner Engagement

• 
  Lead CSMA sponsor engagement through maintenance of contact plans, databases, and regular communication with customers, collaborators, industry partners, and NASA Centers, in close coordination with CSMA leadership.
• Identifying, qualifying, preparing for and responding to new opportunities at NASA, NOAA, and the NSF.

Strategic Planning

• Aide in developing, maintaining, and executing the CSMA Strategic Plan that incorporates the latest goals, strategies, competitive assessments, market positioning, new business strategies, and benchmarking to help the Mission Area build critical contributions.
• Preparation of white papers and overseeing the forward-leaning policy and through awareness of trends in the Civil Space community, the political environment, and the competitive landscape.

Mission Formulation and Technology Opportunities

• 
  Lead formulation of new mission concepts and technologies, including collaboration with the SES Chief Scientist on identification of Principal Investigators (PIs) for future opportunities.
• Collaborate and coordinate with the Space Exploration Sector’s technical line organization and industry partners or pursue upcoming advanced concept and technology development opportunities.
• Support the CSMA investment portfolio for advanced concepts, bid and proposals, and technology development through IRAD selections.

Proposal Process Management

• 
  Lead the end-to-end proposal process required to win and capture new ambitious competitive and directed opportunities. Includes responsibility for reviews and stand-up of independent review teams.
• Create win plans and support Blackhat competitive assessments or bid/no-bid decisions.
• Manage/coordinate proposal teams from inception to delivery of the final product to the customer within cost and schedule constraints. Document, maintain, and apply lessons-learned.
• Keep the Space Exploration Sector leadership and staff informed of the proposal development and activities within the CSMA formulation office through regular briefs.

• 
  A Bachelor's degree in science or a technical field.
• 10+ years of experience working on new business development or capture management of aerospace systems, and demonstrated success of winning significant mission and/or instrument proposals.
• Skills and experience in proposal development and management, including standard methodologies and techniques related to AOs and RFPs. Recent experience with proposing to NASA solicitations.
• Established credibility within the space science and engineering community, NASA, and commercial space leadership, and the capability to develop access to senior government leaders.
• Extensive experience working with various sponsors and outside organizations, including NASA, or industry and/or academic institutions.
• Excellent leadership, organizational skills.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Excellent people skills and able to work efficiently and collaboratively with staff at all levels and lead teams.
• The ability to undertake a substantial amount of travel and work extra hours/weekends
• The ability to obtain a Secret level security 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 in science or a technical field.
• Successful experience developing and delivering flight hardware under technical, cost, and resource constraints.
• In-depth knowledge of APL Space Exploration Sector resources, programs, practices, and strategic goals.
• Experience leading internal investments for concept development, bid and propose, and IRAD.
• Experience managing NASA programs.
• Demonstrated knowledge of NASA SMD projects and competitive opportunities.