Associate Administrator for Commercial Space Transportation

Federal Aviation Administration • Washington, DC

3h

About The Position

The Associate Administrator for Commercial Space Transportation leads the FAA’s commercial space transportation programs and regulates the U.S. commercial space transportation industry. The role ensures compliance with U.S. international obligations; protects public health and safety, property, national security, and foreign policy interests; promotes private-sector commercial space launches and reentries; recommends changes to relevant statutes, treaties, regulations, policies, plans, and procedures; and facilitates the strengthening and expansion of U.S. space transportation infrastructure.

Reporting directly to the Deputy Administrator, the Associate Administrator leads a highly technical workforce of approximately 120 employees, including three executives, and oversees an annual operational and research budget of approximately $40 million. The position provides leadership, direction, management, and coordination to support the health and growth of the U.S. commercial space transportation industry.

The role exercises executive and technical direction over licensing, regulatory, and space policy activities. This includes oversight of applicant safety organizations, system safety processes, flight safety analysis, quantitative risk criteria for launch, reentry, and vehicle disposal, and matters involving national security, foreign policy, and international obligations. The Associate Administrator oversees national policies, standards, and procedures for commercial space transportation operations and infrastructure, and coordinates policy recommendations with the Strategy and Engagement Organization for the Administrator and Deputy Administrator.

The Associate Administrator supervises subordinate offices responsible for the commercial space Enforcement Program; compliance with the Commercial Space Launch Act, applicable licensing regulations, and license terms; safety inspections before, during, and after launches or reentries and mishap investigations; and Airspace Management Plans for space operations. The position advises the Deputy Administrator on regulatory and certification programs, policy, research and development, and external relationships; evaluates program performance and recommends corrective actions; and advises Congress on legislative changes needed to achieve FAA commercial space transportation goals.

The role represents the Administrator and Deputy Administrator to internal and external audiences, including Congress, other federal organizations, state entities, commercial space industry representatives, the public, standards organizations, and advisory committees. It oversees a geographically dispersed organization and its resources, safeguards those resources, ensures internal controls meet agency standards, and supports employees in contributing to FAA and shared-service customer goals.

Requirements

• U.S. citizenship.
• Demonstrated leadership experience overseeing a complex commercial space transportation program with national impact.
• Demonstrated leadership experience applying commercial space-related scientific or engineering principles, such as aerospace vehicle systems, system safety and quality assurance, structural, mechanical or software engineering, launch-site and range infrastructure development, or space transportation analysis.
• Applicants must describe evidence of the Executive Leadership Dimensions in a two-page resume unless exempt based on specified FAA Executive System, SES, SES Candidate Development Program, or reinstatement eligibility.
• Commitment to the rule of law, the Constitution, the American system of government, and service to the American people.
• Demonstrated ability to manage resources strategically and efficiently, budget effectively, reduce wasteful spending, and improve efficiency through process or technology upgrades.
• Demonstrated technical competence and ability to produce high-quality work.
• Demonstrated ability to lead and inspire people, build a high-performance and accountable culture, lead through change, and hold individuals accountable when necessary.
• Demonstrated ability to achieve individual and organizational results aligned with leadership goals.
• Completion of a Declaration for Federal Employment when requested.
• Ability to obtain and maintain any required interim and/or final security clearance before entering duty.
• Submit a financial disclosure statement within 30 days of entry on duty if required.
• Serve a one-year FAA Executive System probationary period unless a qualifying prior probationary period has been completed; the posting also states a one-year probationary period may be required as a condition of employment.
• Male applicants born after December 31, 1959, must certify Selective Service registration or exemption.
• Subject to pre-employment or pre-appointment drug screening and, for testing-designated positions, random drug and/or alcohol testing.

Responsibilities

• Lead, direct, manage, and coordinate FAA commercial space transportation programs to support the health and growth of the U.S. industry.
• Regulate the U.S. commercial space transportation industry and ensure compliance with U.S. international obligations while protecting public safety, property, national security, and foreign policy interests.
• Encourage, facilitate, and promote private-sector commercial space launches and reentries; recommend changes to relevant statutes, treaties, regulations, policies, plans, and procedures; and facilitate expansion of U.S. space transportation infrastructure.
• Exercise executive and technical direction over licensing, regulatory, and space policy activities and initiatives.
• Oversee safety reviews and evaluations of applicant safety organizations, system safety processes, flight safety analysis, and quantitative risk criteria for launch, reentry, and vehicle disposal.
• Oversee establishment of national policies, standards, and procedures for commercial space transportation operations and infrastructure, and coordinate policy recommendations with the Strategy and Engagement Organization.
• Supervise subordinate offices responsible for the commercial space Enforcement Program, licensing compliance, safety inspections, mishap investigations, and Airspace Management Plans for space operations.
• Advise the Deputy Administrator on regulatory and certification programs, goals, policies, research and development, and external relationships.
• Review and evaluate program performance, keep the Deputy Administrator informed, and recommend corrective action to address deficiencies and improve results.
• Advise Congress on legislative changes needed to advance FAA commercial space transportation, infrastructure, and policy goals.
• Represent the Administrator and Deputy Administrator on commercial space programs and activities to internal and external audiences.
• Maintain relationships with Congress, federal and state organizations, the commercial space industry, the public, and domestic and foreign public and private organizations.
• Oversee an annual budget of approximately $40 million and provide executive direction to a geographically dispersed organization, including executives and senior employees.
• Manage and safeguard resources, ensure internal controls meet agency standards, and enable employees to contribute to FAA and shared-service customer goals.

Benefits

• Comprehensive federal employee benefits package for employees and their families.
• Relocation or recruitment incentive may be authorized at agency discretion.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Executive
• Education Level: No Education Listed