Research Program Manager - Hypersonics

University of Minnesota • Minneapolis, MN

70d • $160,007 - $219,545

About The Position

The University of Minnesota's National Security Research Institute (NSRI) seeks a Research Program Manager (Hypersonics) to lead business development, program creation, and delivery of a high-impact hypersonics portfolio. The role combines sponsor-facing program leadership (contracting, reporting, planning) with technical fluency in hypersonics related topics to translate needs into winning proposals. Reports to: Executive Director, NSRI. Works closely with: faculty and other researchers, RIO Sponsored Projects Administration, RIO Research Integrity and Compliance (including Export Controls), RIO Finance, relevant colleges, centers and institutes, the AVP for External Affairs & Communications, and the AVP for Research Capacity Building.

Requirements

• BA/BS degree required but MS degree in a technical field (aerospace, mechanical, materials, or closely related) and PhD strongly preferred.
• 10 years relevant experience with 5+ years leading government-facing R&D programs (DoD/NASA/Service Labs/FFRDC/UARC or prime); experience as PI/co-PI or task lead.
• Demonstrated success in BD/capture and winning proposals, plus hands-on program management (contracting, reporting, IMS, risk, cost/schedule).
• Deep working knowledge of hypersonics sufficient to brief sponsors and guide PI teams.
• U.S. citizenship and ability to obtain/maintain a security clearance.

Nice To Haves

• PhD with significant M&S (CFD/aerothermodynamics, TPS/thermal-structural, trajectory/6-DoF).
• Background at NASA (Langley/Ames/Glenn) or AFRL/Service Labs, or in roles supporting them.
• Experience with OTAs, cost-type and FFP contracts, EVMS/IPMDAR, and test/flight campaigns (AEDC, WSMR, Sandia, etc.).
• Established network across DoD labs, primes, ranges, and national labs.

Responsibilities

• Work with hypersonics faculty and research staff to develop proposals, support pre-award and post-award project management, and streamline the contracting process to maximize research productivity.
• Drive the hypersonics opportunity pipeline (12-24 months) across AFRL/AFOSR, ONR/NAVAIR, Army, DARPA, and NASA centers.
• Shape opportunities (white papers, SOIs, briefings), build teams (UMN, labs, primes), and develop competitive, compliant submissions.
• Develop networks across the hypersonic space and engage in creation of new programmatic opportunities.
• Provide support on targeted efforts aligned with the funding (e.g., materials/TPS for extreme environments, aerothermal M&S, propulsion/GNC, flight or ground test campaigns).
• Assist with technical scoping, milestones, and deliverables; mentor students/staff; publish and present results as appropriate.
• Act as day-to-day interface to sponsors, ranges, and primes; coordinate PMRs/IPRs, site visits, tech exchanges, and test access.
• Accurately convey program status and technical nuance between government PMs and UMN teams-no 'message drift.'
• Assist with FAR/DFARS/OTA award administration: SOW/CDRLs, budgets, mods, subawards, and closeout.
• Maintain the Integrated Master Schedule (IMS), risk register, and EV-style cost/schedule tracking; participate in generation of compliant reports (quad charts, IPMDAR-like status, ETC/EAC).
• Supervise project staff; coordinate student pipelines (capstones, internships, fellowships).
• Help design short courses/workshops with sponsors to build workforce readiness.
• Ensure ITAR/EAR, CUI, DD254, secure compute/data practices, and IP/CRADA/DUA terms are observed.
• Provide concise quarterly portfolio updates for the ED, Governing Board, and Faculty Advisory Board.

Benefits

• Relocation expenses may be available
• Competitive wages, paid holidays, and generous time off
• Continuous learning opportunities through professional training and degree-seeking programs supported by the Regents Tuition Benefit Program
• Low-cost medical, dental, and pharmacy plans
• Healthcare and dependent care flexible spending accounts
• University HSA contributions
• Disability and employer-paid life insurance
• Employee wellbeing program
• Excellent retirement plans with employer contribution
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) opportunity
• Financial counseling services
• Employee Assistance Program with eight sessions of counseling at no cost
• Employee Transit Pass with free or reduced rates in the Twin Cities metro area

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior
• Industry: Educational Services
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree