Duties
The Director is responsible for leading and managing research, technology maturation, design, development, and integration of space transportation and propulsion systems, and cutting-edge science and research projects and solutions.
Specifically, the Director, MSFC:
- Leads strategic planning and management of new cutting-edge technology for space vehicle systems, engineering design, and development of subsystems and components, and performance requirements. Leads multidisciplinary teams in support of Human Exploration and Space Launch System programs.
- Oversees the Payload Operations and Integration Center, the 24/7 command post for research and technology activities aboard the International Space Station (ISS).
- Directs management of the Michoud Assembly Facility (MAF), a multi-tenant complex which provides the capabilities for the manufacture and assembly of critical hardware components, including the Space Launch System.
- Collaborates with government, university, and private sector entities to build a broader business base to optimize Agency resources and establish and maintain mutually beneficial partnerships with MAF tenants.
- Responsible for management of the NASA Space Science and Technology Center, a hub for advanced research to create positive social, economic, educational, and quality-of-life outcomes through basic and applied research.
- Directs the National Institute for Rocket Propulsion Systems for the Agency and coordinates with other senior leaders across the U.S. Government to formulate policy to foster a healthy and vibrant rocket propulsion industrial base for the nation.
- Develops partnerships and collaborations with internal and external organizations such as industry, governmental, academic, and international organizations to advance NASA's mission, agenda, services, initiatives, and platforms; builds awareness of NASA priorities and works with external stakeholders and the public. Champions and enables new business and partnership.
Requirements
Conditions of employment
- The individual selected will be required to file an 'Executive Branch Personnel Financial Disclosure Report' (OGE-278e) within 30 days of appointment and annually from then on.
- Initial Senior Executive Service (SES) Career appointee is subject to a one-year probationary period.
- Successful completion of a background investigation commensurate with the risk and sensitivity level of the position.
- Successful completion of pre-employment and random drug testing may be required.
- Must be able to obtain and maintain a security clearance as required by the position.
- Must be a U.S. Citizen or National.
- Must meet qualifications requirements by the closing date of this announcement.
- Complete a Declaration for Federal Employment to determine your suitability for Federal employment, at the time requested by the agency.
Qualifications
As a basic requirement for entry into the Senior Executive Service (SES) under a career appointment, you must clearly articulate and describe within your 2-page resume that you possess the Executive Core Qualifications (ECQs) and Mandatory Technical Qualification (MTQ) related to this position. If your 2-page resume does not reflect demonstrated evidence of the ECQs and MTQ, you may be disqualified. Any additional pages over the 2-page limit will not be reviewed.
Your resume should include evidence of progressively responsible supervisory, managerial, or professional experience which involved management of a program or organization of significant scope and complexity, normally obtained over several years by serving in positions at the GS-15 level or equivalent.
If you are (1) currently serving under a career SES appointment, (2) eligible for reinstatement into the SES (this means you were previously employed as a Career SES employee and you successfully completed a one-year probationary period), OR (3) have successfully completed a SES Candidate Development Program (CDP) and certified by OPM, you do not need to address the ECQs in your resume. However, your resume must clearly state that you are a current career SES, eligible for SES reinstatement, or SES CDP certified and year of certification. See Additional Information section below.
Please DO NOT submit separate documents addressing the ECQs or MTQ. Only your 2-page resume will be accepted and considered. Any additional documents submitted will not be accepted.
EXECUTIVE CORE QUALIFICATIONS (ECQs)
For more information on the ECQs, please visit OPM's ECQ webpage.
ECQ 1 - Commitment to the Rule of Law and the Principles of the American Founding: This core qualification requires a demonstrated knowledge of the American system of government, commitment to uphold the Constitution and the rule of law, and commitment to serve the American people. Competencies: Knowledge of the American System of Government, Commitment to the Rule of Law, and Civic-Mindedness
ECQ 2 - Driving Efficiency: This core qualification involves the demonstrated ability to strategically and efficiently manage resources, budget effectively, cut wasteful spending, and pursue efficiency through process and technological upgrades. Competencies: Fiscal Responsibility, Managing Resources, Leveraging Technology
ECQ 3 - Merit and Competence: This core qualification involves the demonstrated knowledge, ability and technical competence to effectively and reliably produce work that is of exceptional quality. Competencies: Technical Skill, Problem Solving, Agility and Resilience
ECQ 4 - Leading People: This core qualification involves the demonstrated ability to lead and inspire a group toward meeting the organization's vision, mission, and goals, and to drive a high-performance, high-accountability culture. This includes, when necessary, the ability to lead people through change and to hold individuals accountable. Competencies: Accountability, Developing Others, Executive Judgment
ECQ 5 - Achieving Results - This core qualification involves the demonstrated ability to achieve both individual and organizational results, and to align results to stated goals from superiors. Competencies: Operational Mindset, Innovation, Strategic Thinking
MANDATORY TECHNICAL QUALIFICATION (MTQ):
Your resume must include accomplishments that address the MTQ.
MTQ - Demonstrated management and oversight of multi-billion-dollar programs focused on propulsion systems, launch vehicles, and space technologies. This includes directing the planning, execution, and evaluation of advanced engineering and science research initiatives while providing executive leadership for workforce operations, budget allocation, and the management of facilities and infrastructure.
Competencies: Planning and Evaluation
Your application package must be in your own words. Experience statements copied from a position description, vacancy announcement, or other reference material constitutes plagiarism and may result in disqualification and losing consideration for the job. NASA prohibits the use of artificial intelligence (AI) or AI-assisted tool in drafting application and assessment responses. Please visit https://www.nasa.gov/careers/how-to-apply/#Artificial-Intelligence to review NASA's guidance on the use of AI tools during the application process.
Education
No Educational Requirement
Additional information
Veterans' preference is not applicable to the SES.
Current SES and QRB-certified candidates may alternatively apply to this opportunity using the LinkedIn post: **ADD URL**
ATTENTION/ADVANCED NOTICE OF NEW REQUIREMENTS: Starting in July 2026, in addition to your resume, supporting documents will be required as part of the application process. Please read the entire announcement and all the instructions before you begin an application. We will require educational transcripts, SF-50 personnel action, and proof of licenses/certifications, as applicable. Failure to provide the required documents will disqualify you from further consideration. We highly encourage you to have the supporting documents readily available to upload at the time of your application.
Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.
A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
Review our benefits
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.
How you will be evaluated
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
All qualifications requirements must be met by the closing date of the announcement.
We will review your resume to ensure you meet the qualification requirements. If you meet the basic qualification requirements, your application will be referred to and evaluated by an executive panel. Highly Qualified applicants may undergo one or more interviews and/or be asked to provide a list of references or additional documents to confirm eligibility.
Upon selection, if the selectee does not have Qualifications Review Board (QRB) certification by the Office of Personnel Management (OPM), he/she must undergo an ECQ based structured interview with OPM before appointment to this position.
Required Documents
A complete application includes items described below. Please note that if you do not provide all required information, as specified in this announcement, you may be removed from consideration for this position (or may not receive the special consideration for which you may be eligible). Human Resources will not modify or change any part of your application.
RESUME: All applicants are required to submit a two (2) page resume showing all relevant experience. Applicants seeking initial career appointment to the SES must include evidence of the ECQs and MTQ within their resume. Please see this guidance: What to include in your resume. Note: if any of the following types of information are included on your resume, your application package may be disqualified:
- Classified or government sensitive information.
- Social Security Number (SSN)
- Photos of yourself
- Personal information, such as age, gender, religious affiliation, etc.
- Encrypted and digitally signed documents.
If your resume contains any of the above information, you must redact that information prior to the submission of your application
VACANCY QUESTION/ASSESSMENT QUESTIONNAIRE RESPONSES: Responses are automatically submitted through USAJOBS when you apply to this vacancy.
You may be asked to provide additional documentation to support your eligibility and the information provided in your application package. For example, we may request academic transcripts, SF-50s, SES Candidate Development Program certificate, etc. Therefore, we encourage you to have these documents prepared and ready when requested by the agency. If you fail to provide the required documents within the stated time period, we may withdraw a job offer and/or remove you from further consideration.