Assistant Director, ngVLA Project Director

Associated Universities Inc • Albuquerque, NM

12d • Onsite

About The Position

The National Radio Astronomy Observatory (NRAO), managed by Associated Universities, Inc. (AUI), is seeking an Assistant Director (AD) to lead all phases of the Next-Generation Very Large Array (ngVLA) and High-Resolution Subarray (HRS) projects, including design, construction, scientific commissioning, and transition to Operations. This role acts as the Project Director (PD) for the ngVLA project, providing scientific and management leadership to ensure the highest quality of scientific, technical, and programmatic activities. The PD will collaborate with NRAO, NSF, and AUI management on policy development, strategic planning, and annual management. The position requires significant visibility within the scientific community and continuous interaction with key stakeholders such as the NSF and the US Naval Observatory (USNO). The successful candidate will report directly to the NRAO Director and will be based at the NRAO facility in Albuquerque, NM. The ngVLA is a future large area array of radio antennas designed for high-resolution imaging, aiming for ten times the sensitivity and spatial resolution of current instruments. The HRS is a pathfinder instrument for the ngVLA, planned to implement core ngVLA technologies.

Requirements

• Advanced degree in engineering (mechanical or electrical preferred), astronomy, physical science, or a closely related field.
• Demonstrated record of project completion and scientific infrastructure delivery.
• Minimum of 15+ years of experience in leading and/or managing complex technical projects.
• A nationally and internationally recognized reputation in astronomy.
• Demonstrated ability to maintain and motivate a strong and effective leadership team.
• Proven history of executive level administrative experience and a record of sound fiscal, organizational and management practices.
• Outstanding communication and interpersonal skills, including the ability and a commitment to listening and problem solving.
• Must be able to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing to both highly-technical and non-technical audiences.
• High level of competency in Microsoft software products and web-based systems, Visio, and SharePoint.
• United States citizenship is required for this position.

Nice To Haves

• Knowledge and experience in one or more of the following areas is preferred: Astronomical telescopes; radio telescopes; RF, microwave or millimeter wave systems; photonics; high-speed digital electronics.

Responsibilities

• Provide leadership to the Project, overseeing the Project Office and recruitment of the senior project office personnel.
• Oversee all project design and prototyping activities and major NSF-MREFC gate reviews (final design review).
• Assume responsibility for the setting of project priorities and resource planning, and execution of activities.
• Lead ngVLA’s International Development Consortium (IDC) to position international partners to participate in ngVLA.
• Provide regular information and status reports to internal and external stakeholders.

Benefits

• Excellent paid time off (13 holidays, annual accrual of up to 24 vacation days)
• Medical, dental and vision plans are effective on the first day of employment.
• AUI’s retirement benefit contributes an amount equal to 10 percent of a qualified participant’s base pay with no required employee contribution.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director