Program Manager (BHEX)

Summary

This position has a primary responsibility to support BHEX but also provides long-term institutional programmatic leadership in support of SAO’s spaceflight portfolio.

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This job is open to

The public

U.S. Citizens, Nationals or those who owe allegiance to the U.S.

Clarification from the agency

This Merit Promotion position is open to Current Federal Employees and Former Federal Employees with permanent status or reinstatement eligibility. Individuals who are eligible for a special appointing authority may also apply, such as Individuals with Disabilities (Schedule A), former Peace Corps, AmeriCorps, and Vista volunteers; certain Military Spouses, or individuals eligible under various programs for Veterans (VRA, VEOA, 30% disabled).

Duties

1. Serves as the overall Program Manager for the Black Hole Explorer (BHEX) mission at SAO, with full responsibility for cost, schedule, technical performance, risk posture, and contractual compliance of SAO’s mission scope. Provides leadership in the BHEX proposal development and across all mission phases (Phase A through Phase E), including formulation, development, integration, test, launch, and operations.

2. Serves as the Instrument Project Manager for the BHEX instrument, with direct responsibility for 1) establishment and maintenance of instrument requirements and verification plans, 2) Development and control of the instrument Work Breakdown Structure (WBS), 3) Configuration management and change control processes, 4) Interface management with the spacecraft prime contractor and other mission elements, 5) Preparation and execution of major mission reviews including SRR, PDR, CDR, TRR, and ORR.

3. Serves as primary SAO programmatic interface with the BHEX spacecraft prime contractor and major subcontractors, ensuring alignment of technical interfaces, integrated schedules, cost reporting, and risk management processes. Responsible for the development of Request for Proposals (RFP), Statements of Work (SOWs), and providing technical and budgetary evaluation of contractor proposals and reports.

4. Represents SAO in formal interactions with NASA Headquarters and the designated NASA Center, including Key Decision Points (KDPs), Standing Review Boards (SRBs), independent cost evaluations, and programmatic reviews. Provides authoritative programmatic briefings to senior government officials.

5. Leads development of future mission concepts and proposal efforts aligned with SAO strategic priorities, including identification of new flight opportunities, formation of industry and academic partnerships, identification and development of additional funding sources with the SAO advancement team, and establishment of management and cost frameworks for competitive proposal submissions.

6. Contributes to strengthening SAO’s program management capabilities by mentoring junior project managers, refining internal program control processes, and supporting institutional initiatives that enhance mission execution effectiveness.

7. Provides programmatic management of project staff and subcontractors. Interactions are with high level astrophysicists and physicists, aeronautical, electrical, thermal, optical, and systems engineering staff at SAO, academic, industrial and government partners, and involve coordination and direction where required to assure the satisfaction of project requirements and priorities.

8. Establishes, maintains, and reports against program control and analysis systems to assess program progress and costs (including SAO subcontractor performance) in the context of program plans. Provides monthly updates to the SAO Project Management Office lead, for monthly Director’s Office reviews. Advises the supervisor of the practical and technical aspects of the organization's budget. Recommends budget adjustments including restructuring budget allocations or work plans to deal with changing situations such as varying costs for equipment, supplies, or services, changes in overhead, benefit, or salary rates and changes in the availability of funds. Verifies SAO monthly accounting reports and, in the event of any discrepancies, promptly escalates discrepancies to the appropriate point of contact. Ensures that cooperative agreement or contract reporting requirements are met and that any submissions are complete, accurate and timely.

9. Develops and presents technical and programmatic briefings in support of BHEX and related proposals, functional working group meetings, status reviews, and formal program reviews. Participates in appropriate mission panels and working groups.

10. Performs other related duties as required

The Program Manager will be required to file a Confidential Statement of Employment and Financial Interests (SI Form-1085).

Requirements

Conditions of employment

• Pre- and post-appointment background investigation
• Electronic funds transfer/direct deposit is required for salary payment.
• Required to file SI-1085
• May be required to serve a one-year probationary period.

For information on qualification requirements, see Qualification Standards Handbook for General Schedule Positions viewable on the web at

Qualifications

Candidates must possess a minimum of one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the grade 14 in the normal line of progression for the occupation. Such experience includes but is not limited toleading complex, multi-organizational scientific or technical programs for a government or research organization and serving in a senior program management role in the preparation of major proposals. Other relevant specialized experience includes directing cross-functional project teams, overseeing project performance and budget execution, and identifying and mitigating program risks, and interfacing with funding agencies and other external organizations.

Additional information

Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

Benefits

A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.

Review our benefits

Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.

How you will be evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

Your application will be evaluated first for the basic qualifications described above. The applications that meet the basic qualifications will be evaluated further against the following criteria:

• Mastery of spaceflight mission lifecycle management at the level of competed NASA flight missions (e.g., SMEX, MIDEX, Probe, or equivalent), including formulation through operations, and demonstrated experience managing large, multidisciplinary technical teams with significant budget authority
• Expert knowledge of NASA programmatic requirements (e.g., NPR 7120.5 or equivalent), risk management processes, EVM implementation, configuration control boards, and formal mission review structures.
• Mastery and expert skill in planning, organizing, directing, and conducting complex studies, as well as skills in justifying or resolving matters involving significant or controversial issues. Expertise in advanced program control systems, cost modeling, and integrated master schedule development sufficient to manage complex, multi-institutional flight programs.
• Knowledge of current and future space-based and ground-based missions sufficient to support SAO's participation in space mission studies, radio astronomy proposal opportunities, and relevant technology studies; evaluate and promote the generation and exchange of new theories, concepts, principles, methods, applications and practices; and to plan, evaluate, and execute short- and long-range programs which impact national or international science missions.
• Skill in managing project teams, including planning, organizing, direction, assigning and reviewing work, conflict identification and resolution, and motivating staff and promoting professional growth. This includes skill in developing and delivering effective written and oral presentations at meetings and reviews to the team, funding agencies, subcontractors, and any customers.

Important Note:
Your resume should provide detailed information regarding how your education and experience relate to this position, including the major duties and qualifications criteria listed.

You may preview questions for this vacancy.

Required Documents

Your application package should include the following documents:

• Detailed resume created in the USAJOBS Resume Builder.

If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:

Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.

How to Apply

Click on the "Apply Online" button on the upper right side of the page.
Please Note:

• You must apply for this position online through the 'Apply Online' button.
• Faxes are received by an automated system, not a physical fax machine. Documents that are faxed as part of the application process must be sent with the system generated cover sheet by the closing date. Documents faxed without the system generated coversheet are not retrievable and cannot be considered as part of the application package.
• Clicking the "DONE" tab does not submit your application. The "DONE" tab allows you to exit the system and save your information for completion at a later time. To submit your application, click the "FINISH" tab.
• The complete application package, including any required documents, is due in the Smithsonian Office of Human Resources on the closing date of the announcement by 11:59 PM Eastern Time.

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Agency contact information

Joy Mathew

Phone

617-496-8327

Email

[email protected]

Address

SMITHSONIAN
Human Resources
60 Garden Street Cambridge, MA 02138
Cambridge, Massachusetts 02138
United States

Next steps

You will receive an e-mail to acknowledge that your application has been received. Please be aware that the confirmation e-mail could reside in your "junk" or "bulk" mail folder depending on your filters.

The Smithsonian receives many applications for each job. Each application is reviewed carefully which may take a few weeks.

• The Smithsonian does not pay relocation expenses but may pay a Recruitment Bonus.
• The Smithsonian embraces diversity and equal employment opportunity (

Overview

Accepting applications

Open & closing dates

04/09/2026 to 04/13/2026

Salary

$167,560 - $197,200 per year

Pay scale & grade

GS 15

Location

1 vacancy in the following location:

Cambridge, MA

1 vacancy

Remote job

No

Telework eligible

No

Travel Required

Occasional travel - Occasional travel may be required to attend meetings, presentations, etc.

Relocation expenses reimbursed

No

Appointment type

Permanent - Career

Work schedule

Full-time - Full Time

Service

Competitive

Promotion potential

15

Job family (Series)

• 0340 Program Management

Supervisory status

No

Security clearance

Other

Drug test

No

Position sensitivity and risk

Non-sensitive (NS)/Low Risk

Trust determination process

• Credentialing

Announcement number

26-63

Control number

864558800