Program Manager, Giant Magellan Telescope (GMT) (IS-340-14)

Description

OPENING DATE: 3/18/26

CLOSING DATE: 4/17/26

SERIES/GRADE: PROGRAM MANAGER IS-340-14

TYPE OF POSITION: Trust Indefinite (Non-Federal)

DIVISION: PROGRAM MANAGEMENT OFFICE

LOCATION: Cambridge, MA

AREA OF CONSIDERATION: This position is open to all eligible candidates.

What are Trust Fund Positions?

Trust Fund positions are unique to the Smithsonian. They are paid for from a variety of sources, including the Smithsonian endowment, revenue from our business activities, donations, grants and contracts. Trust employees are not part of the civil service, nor does trust fund employment lead to Federal status. The salary ranges for trust positions are generally the same as for federal positions and in many cases trust and federal employees work side by side. Trust employees have their own benefit program, which may include Health, Dental & Vision Insurance, Life Insurance, Transit/Commuter Benefits, Accidental Death and Dismemberment Insurance, Annual and Sick Leave, Family Friendly Leave, 403b Retirement Plan, Discounts for Smithsonian Memberships, Museum Stores and Restaurants, Credit Union, Flexible Spending Account (Health & Dependent Care).

Conditions of Employment

• Pass Pre-employment Background Check and Subsequent Background Investigation, as required.
• Complete a Probationary Period if applicable.
• Maintain a Bank Account for Direct Deposit/Electronic Transfer.
• The position is open to all candidates eligible to work in the United States. Proof of eligibility to work in U.S. is not required to apply.
• Applicants must meet all qualification and eligibility requirements within 30 days of the closing date of this announcement.
• This position requires access to export-controlled work. The candidate must be a U.S. person (citizen, permanent resident, approved asylee, or refugee) or a national of a country eligible for an export license who is eligible to work in the US.

OVERVIEW

INTRODUCTION
The Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory (SAO) is at the forefront, internationally, of the scientific exploration of the universe. SAO combines its resources with those of the Harvard College Observatory to form the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics (CfA). The CfA is the best-known astrophysics center in the world. Its programs range from ground-based astronomy and astrophysics research to space-based research, the engineering and development of major scientific instrumentation for space launch and use in large ground-based facilities, and research designed to improve science education. The research objectives of SAO are carried out primarily with the support of Government and Smithsonian Institution funds, with additional philanthropic support. Government funds are in the form of Federal appropriations or the form of contracts and grants from other agencies. In contrast, Institution funds are available to SAO through grants from the Institution's Restricted Funds, Special Purpose Funds, Bureau Activities, Business Activities, and non-Federal contracts and grants.



SUMMARY
This is the position of Program Manager (PM), supporting projects within the Giant Magellan Telescope Program Office (GMT-PO), Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory (SAO). The position will reside within the SAO Program Management Office (PMO), which is responsible for a broad portfolio of ground and space-based instrumentation projects. The PM will provide a broad mix of advanced project, business, and technical management expertise to the development of astronomical instrumentation through all phases of an instrument project lifecycle, from concept definition through commissioning. Assignments will require close coordination with multiple SAO stakeholders including senior management, scientists, engineers, technical, and administrative staff. Externally, the position requires close coordination with staff at all levels of the Giant Magellan Telescope Organization (GMTO), funding agencies such as NSF, and both national and international collaborating organizations and industrial contractors. The PM will work with the SAO-GMT instrument project and financial teams to identify, aggregate, and analyze cost, schedule, and technical information to effectively manage the project(s); and is expected to contribute to SAO broadly, by also supporting instrument development activities for existing telescopes.


The purpose of the position is to provide overall program direction and technical leadership to the development of the GMT-Consortium Large Earth Finder (G-CLEF), potentially other instrumentation projects for the next generation Giant Magellan Telescope, and potentially to the development of other new or upgraded scientific instruments for astronomical and astrophysical data collection for existing ground based telescopes.

MAJOR DUTIES

1. Facilitates the day to day running of assigned GMT projects as follows: Works with Principal Investigators and Project Engineers to ensure that tasks, procurements, and other project actions are progressing as planned. Maintains and tracks action and risk registers. Works with project staff and subcontractors to update and status the project schedule. Serves as the primary technical point of contact in establishing, and during the execution of, major subcontracts. Coordinates with SAO GMTO projects’ Business Manager and other administrative/management staff to ensure GMT projects are effectively supported.

2. Supports the Principal Investigator in the development of project plans, budgets, schedules, work statements, and work breakdown structures for complex scientific instrumentation. Communicates overall project plans and detailed task expectations to SAO personnel at all levels and to subcontractors and partners. Prepares and oversees submission of periodic progress status reports as required by sponsors.

3. Coordinates and conducts regularly recurring project technical status meetings. Leads the overall preparation and execution of major technical and management reviews including milestone and instrument Preliminary and Final Design Reviews. Holds progress meeting with industry subcontractors of major assemblies as needed. Develops and presents technical and programmatic briefings in support of proposals, functional working group meetings, status reviews, and formal program reviews. Provides support to mission panels and working groups as requested.

4. Provides technical and management expertise to the development of SAO proposals for external funding for ground-based astronomy instruments for submission to a variety of sponsors including government agencies and private organizations. This will include, but is not limited to, working with Principal Investigators (PIs) to identify potential funding opportunities; identifying required resources and obtaining internal support for proposal preparation; developing program management plans, cost estimates, and schedules; writing programmatic sections of proposals; coordinating the contributions of other team members; and overseeing overall proposal preparation and submission. Coordinates the development of project re-plans, including adjustments to scope of work, budgets, and schedules as required to adapt to reductions or delays in project funding.

5. As a Smithsonian Contracting Officer’s Technical Representative (COTR), serves as the SAO/project representative in the management of subcontracts. Works with subcontractors and SAO contracts’ management staff to ensure subcontracts are being executed on schedule, contractor performance is acceptable, invoices are being submitted in a timely manner, and subcontractors are paid expeditiously.



6. Brings business management acumen to the GMT projects. Works with project staff and funds’ management personnel to collect relevant information to evaluate project progress and cost status. Analyzes schedule and cost information to generate project performance metrics.

7. As a member of the PMO works collaboratively to identify and promote best practices for project management across SAO. Works with project teams to identify areas where processes- both management and technical might be improved and provides guidance on how improvements might be implemented effectively. Participates in reviews as requested, including design reviews of other Observatory projects. Supports the Principal Investigator in working with SAO advancement teams in philanthropic outreach as requested.

8. Performs other related duties as required.

QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS

Basic Requirements:

• Advanced education and/or substantial professional experience in a scientific, engineering, or technical discipline related to the development of scientific instrumentation or complex technical systems.
• Demonstrated experience supporting or directing complex technical projects or programs involving scientific instrumentation, engineering systems, or large research facilities.
• Experience working with multidisciplinary teams that may include scientists, engineers, technical specialists, contractors, and administrative personnel.
• Demonstrated ability to plan, organize, and coordinate complex technical work involving multiple stakeholders, competing priorities, and evolving technical requirements.
• Experience communicating complex technical and programmatic information clearly to both technical and non-technical audiences.
• Ability to work effectively in collaborative environments involving national and international research partners, government agencies, and industry contractors.

Additional Requirements: Candidates must possess at least one year of specialized experience at or above the grade (13) level in similar positions. Specialized experience is experience that has provided the knowledge, skills and abilities to successfully perform the work of the position.



Specialized experience may include:

• Managing or coordinating complex technical or scientific projects involving the development of instrumentation, engineering systems, or research infrastructure.
• Applying formal project management practices to plan and execute technical programs, including scheduling, cost monitoring, resource management, and performance tracking.
• Developing project budgets, estimating costs to complete, monitoring expenditures, and supporting proposal preparation for externally funded technical projects.
• Assessing technical and programmatic risks associated with complex development efforts and implementing strategies to mitigate those risks.
• Coordinating the work of multidisciplinary teams including engineers, scientists, technicians, contractors, and institutional partners.
• Managing relationships with industry partners or contractors responsible for design, fabrication, testing, or delivery of technical systems.
• Supporting or participating in formal technical or programmatic reviews conducted by government sponsors, funding agencies, or external oversight bodies.
• Interpreting sponsor requirements and technical objectives and translating them into actionable project plans and deliverables.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities required :

• Comprehensive knowledge of the principles and practices of scientific instrumentation development and technical program management sufficient to plan, coordinate, and oversee complex projects involving advanced engineering systems, multidisciplinary teams, and multiple institutional partners.
• Knowledge of project management methodologies used in complex technical programs, including cost, schedule, and performance management, risk assessment and mitigation strategies, and the ability to apply formal program management approaches commonly used by government sponsors such as NASA, NSF, DoD, or similar organizations.
• Skill in planning, organizing, and directing complex technical work involving scientists, engineers, contractors, and institutional partners; establishing priorities; coordinating resources; and ensuring successful execution of project goals within established cost, schedule, and technical constraints.
• Skill in developing project plans, budgets, and cost estimates; monitoring project performance; managing contractor and partner activities; and supporting proposal development and reporting requirements for externally funded technical programs.
• Ability to analyze complex technical and programmatic information, identify issues affecting project performance, and develop effective solutions in situations involving uncertainty, evolving technology, and competing priorities.
• Ability to communicate complex technical and programmatic information clearly and effectively in both written and oral formats to diverse audiences including scientific teams, institutional leadership, government sponsors, and external review panels.
• Ability to build productive working relationships and foster collaboration among multidisciplinary teams across organizations, resolve disagreements constructively, and facilitate consensus on complex technical and programmatic issues.

Education completed outside the United States must be deemed equivalent to higher education programs of U.S. Institutions by an organization that specializes in the interpretation of foreign educational credentials. This documentation is the responsibility of the applicant and should be included as part of your application package.

Any false statement in your application may result in rejection of your application and may also result in termination after employment begins.

Join us in "Inspiring Generations through Knowledge and Discovery."

Resumes should include a description of your paid and non-paid work experience that is related to this job; starting and ending dates of job (month and year); and average number of hours worked per week.


What To Expect Next: Once the vacancy announcement closes, a review of your resume will be compared against the qualification and experience requirements related to this job. After review of applicant resumes is complete, qualified candidates will be referred to the hiring manager.

Relocation expenses are not paid.


The Smithsonian Institution provides reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities where appropriate. Applicants requiring reasonable accommodation should contact [email protected]. Determinations on requests for reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis. To learn more, please review the Smithsonian’s Accommodation Procedures.

The Smithsonian Institution is an Equal Opportunity Employer . We believe that a workforce comprising a variety of educational, cultural, and experiential backgrounds support and enhance our daily work life and contribute to the richness of our exhibitions and programs. See Smithsonian EEO program information:

The Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory is an equal opportunity employer. Please visit the SAO website at

About Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory

The Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory is joined by Harvard College Observatory to form the Center for Astrophysics | Harvard & Smithsonian. The Center is a collaboration between Harvard and Smithsonian designed to ask — and ultimately answer — humanity’s greatest unresolved questions about the nature of the universe. Founded in 1973, the Center for Astrophysics | Harvard & Smithsonian is an ongoing collaboration designed to foster innovation and propel discovery. Our mission is to advance knowledge of the Universe through research in astronomy and astrophysics and in related areas of fundamental physics and geophysics.


At the CfA, scientists in a broad range of disciplines study the universe at every scale, from every wavelength, and using telescopes and instruments that span and orbit the globe, all with a single purpose: making groundbreaking discoveries that advance human knowledge.