Software Project Director (4929) - Full-time

Position Description:

Position Summary

The National Radio Astronomy Observatory (NRAO) is a diverse, exciting, and prestigious research facility that plays a vital role in the study of the universe. The Observatory operates a variety of radio telescopes that span the globe, including the famous Very Large Array (VLA) in New Mexico, the Green Bank Telescope in West Virginia, and the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA) in Chile. These telescopes are among the most advanced in the world, allowing astronomers to explore the universe in unprecedented detail.

The NRAO is developing a Data Processing System to meet the challenges of the next generation of radio interferometers. The primary objective of this project is to develop a system that supports production of high-quality science ready data products for the enhanced ALMA telescope and the next generation VLA. The secondary objective is to support the continued evolution of radio astronomy data processing through a widely accessible package enabling specialization and innovation at facilities and universities.

We are seeking a Software Project Director to be responsible for overseeing the definition, planning, commissioning and delivery into operations of the new Data Processing System. The Project Director will to refine the requirements and deliverables, updating priorities and tracking progress, as well as providing oversight of the activity and organizing and defining the software acceptance process. The Director works closely with the Project Management office and the assigned Project Manager to ensure that the project is conducted in accordance with observatorypolicy and procedures and is accountable for the programmatic aspects of the project include schedule and budget. The Project Director is responsible for defining, communicating, and negotiating the vision of the project with stakeholders.

The Project is currently progressing to a Conceptual Design Review (CDR) and is anticipated to complete this milestone prior to the onboarding of the Project Director. The initial focus of the Project Director will be to lead the project through a successful Preliminary Design Review (PDR). Key responsibilities in this phase are:

• Developing a sustainable model of stakeholder engagement reconciling the needs of the various stakeholders within a unified project plan and establishing processes for maintenance and modification of the plan.
• Overseeing the technical design and down selection process, including prototyping activities in support of system validation.
• Refining the project execution plan, increasing the detail and fidelity of the schedule and cost estimates and in conjunction with the DMS management team defining and implementing the development process.
• Work with science operations to define an iterative software delivery and acceptance process for the construction and operations phases of the project.

During the implementation phase of the Project the Director will ensure scientific requirements are available to the development team(s), monitor progress and adjust to evolving requirements or priorities, coordinate the acceptance and delivery process, and ensure communication and coordination between the DPS Project, the ngVLA and ALMA-WSU projects, and the broader stakeholder community.

The preferred location for the position can be based at headquarters in Charlottesville, VA; at the Domenici Array Operations Center in Socorro, New Mexico; or at the NRAO office in Albuquerque, New Mexico. A domestic telework or remote work arrangement may be considered based on applicant qualifications.

What You Will be Doing:

• Supporting the Assistant Director of Data Management Systems (DMS) in the delivery of the Data Processing System project by ensuring the project is managed in a structured way in accordance with the project management framework used by the NRAO. Refine the project and operations plans including budget, timeline and resource requirements for endorsement by the NRAO senior management.
• The project director will maintain the vision, roadmap, and functional definition of the project. The director is the owner of the program level backlog of features and is responsible for implementation and realization.
• The director is accountable for stakeholder management for the project. This includes both receiving inputs from stakeholders to ensure the DPS meets the operational and scientific needs of the users as well as providing reporting and presentations for various stakeholders, both internal and external to AUI.

Work Environment

Work is mission driven, team oriented and typically performed in an office setting within a research or development environment. Domestic and international travel may be required multiple times per year.

Who You Are:

• You have a PhD in astronomy or astronomical computing
• You have at least 5 years of experience in astronomy and data analysis, reduction of data from interferometer systems.
• While not required, you may have experience:
  • Planning and/or management of substantial software projects, interaction and management of complex and demanding stakeholder groups, and the development and delivery of complex scientific software.
  • Experience with high performance or high throughput computing application design and operation.

A scientific staff appointment may be considered for qualified applicants.

Competency Summary

• Excellent communication skills and evidence of an excellent ability to analyze competing inputs and priorities, to synthesize those inputs into a set of project requirements, build buy in for those requirements, and lead a project to successfully deliver a solution.
• Concrete evidence of successful leadership of complex projects with a workforce that is geographically dispersed and with matrix or equivalent indirect management structures.
• Attention to detail is critical
• Highly organized

Total Rewards:

The NRAO offers a comprehensive total rewards package for this position, subject to eligibility requirements. We are committed to serving our employees and their families with an extensive and competitive compensation and benefits package that supports our employees overall well-being and career growth.

Compensation

The NRAO strives to attract and retain dedicated, highly qualified, competent, and motivated employees by offering competitive compensation and recognition for performance.

Factors which may affect starting pay may include; education, experience, skills, competencies, other qualifications of the successful candidate, as well as internal equity and labor market conditions.

Benefits:

NRAOs benefits package addresses the needs of employees and their families with most benefits beginning on the first day of employment. NRAO provides excellent paid time off (13 holidays, annual accrual of up to 24 vacation days and 15 sick days, additional time off for doctor/dentist visits, and 8 weeks of paid parental leave). Medical, dental and vision plans are effective on the first day of employment. NRAOs retirement benefit contributes an amount equal to 10 percent of a qualified participants base pay with no required employee contribution; we also offer an optional supplemental, tax-deferred plan for employee retirement contributions.

Application Instructions:

Select the Apply button. Please be prepared to upload your current CV/Resume and a cover letter describing interest and suitability for the position.

For questions specific to the nature of the Project Director: Data Processing System, please contact Jeff Kern ( or 434-296-0250)

Equal Opportunity Employer Statement:

AUI is an equal opportunity employer. Women, Minorities, Vietnam-Era Veterans, Disabled Veterans, Veterans and Individuals with Disabilities are encouraged to apply. To view our complete statement, please visit http://jobs.jobvite.com/nrao/jobs. If you require reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process due to a disability, you may submit your request by sending an email to .

The NRAO is an equal opportunity employer (M/F/D/V)

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