Facilities Engineering & Construction Manager

NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory

1d•Onsite

About The Position

The Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) is seeking an experienced and forward-thinking leader to serve as the Section Manager for Facilities Engineering & Construction. The Section Manager is an integral part of the Facilities & Logistics leadership team. Reporting to the Division Manager of Facilities & Logistics, you will lead the end-to-end delivery of facilities projects that directly enable JPL’s missions—from new construction and complex infrastructure upgrades to mission-critical laboratories, clean rooms, and test environments. As the technical and organizational authority for facilities engineering, design, construction, and compliance, you will guide multidisciplinary teams through all phases of project development, ensuring that institutional needs and mission requirements are met with excellence, reliability, and innovation.

Requirements

Typically a Bachelor’s degree in engineering (mechanical, electrical, civil), architecture, construction management or related discipline with a minimum of 12 years of related experience, or a Master's degree in similar discipline with a minimum of 10 years of related experience or a PhD in a similar discipline with a minimum of 8 years of related experience and 4 years or more of supervisory and/or management experience.
Proven ability to manage scope and technical performance for numerous and complex projects simultaneously, while maintaining overall budgetary and scheduling control.
Demonstrated success delivering complex capital projects and infrastructure programs from concept through commissioning.
Strong knowledge of engineering design processes, construction practices, and mission-critical facility systems (power, HVAC, utilities).
Experience with requirements development, system integration, verification, and validation.
Expertise in risk management, root-cause analysis, and resolution of technical issues in operational or mission-driven environments.
Knowledge of ITAR/EAR export control regulations and compliance considerations.
Proven leadership experience with a focus on developing high-performing teams, mentoring technical staff, and strategically strengthening organizational capability.
Excellent verbal and written communication skills with the ability to effectively articulate technical objectives and strategies to all audiences.

Nice To Haves

Extensive experience managing facilities within aerospace, federal research (e.g., NASA, DOE), or similar mission-driven R&D environments, including familiarity with institutional governance and compliance standards.
Registered architect, licensed professional engineer, or ability to obtain California license/registration/certification within 3 years of date of hire.
Experience working within matrixed organizations and coordinating across diverse stakeholder groups to implement organization, administrative and financial goals, and strategies.
LEED© AP, PMP, DBIA, or related industry certification.
Experience working with multiple vendors and contractors in an effective and ethical manner.
Experience with asset and project management tools such as IBM TRIRIGA.
Ability to obtain and maintain security clearances, if required.

Responsibilities

Provide overall leadership for facilities project delivery, including planning, engineering & design, and construction; manage project-development efforts in close coordination with leadership and technical stakeholders for new buildings, renovations, tenant improvements, and utility/infrastructure upgrades.
Oversee NASA Construction of Facilities (CoF) project efforts and funding portfolios, including the process for developing candidate CoF projects and responding to budget calls.
Provide strategic organizational leadership to strengthen technical, project management, and construction management capabilities across teams.
Foster a team-based culture of inclusive excellence, collaborative relationships, and technical rigor where employees feel empowered, valued, and accountable.
Serve as the engineering authority across electrical, mechanical, civil, and structural disciplines; approve design criteria and technical standards.
Ensure designs support high-reliability environments, including cleanrooms, test facilities, laboratories, and mission-specific integration spaces and fit within the JPL Master Plan.
Lead the integration of facility systems with mission and flight hardware requirements, including power, structural, thermal, environmental, EMI/EMC, and cleanliness constraints.
Establish long-term infrastructure management strategies and standards and processes for project planning, engineering design, contracting, construction, commissioning, and turnover.
Provide effective management of fiscal resources, including the development of and compliance with fiscal year and multi-year budgets that support the achievement of institutional goals and objectives, compliant with fiscal policies.
Manage project management governance across a portfolio of concurrent capital projects, including prioritization, performance metrics, risk management, and resource allocation.
Facilitate the seamless integration of new projects into short- and long-term maintenance plans, ensuring a high-quality "handshake" between construction and facilities management.
Oversee construction management activities, contractor performance, quality assurance, field coordination, and safety compliance.
Maintain and evolve institutional building standards; ensure compliance with NASA, OSHA, NFPA, California building codes, and environmental requirements.
Leverage data analytics and develop Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) to review trends, manage costs, and identify opportunities to improve business operations.
Lead inspections, audits, and continuous improvement efforts related to facilities engineering and project delivery.