Program Area Manager - Space Warfighting Implementation

Are you driven to shape the future of space warfighting through the development of combat-ready space capabilities at US Space Force (USSF), Space Systems Command (SSC)?

Do you thrive in high-impact environments where your leadership directly influences U.S. national security in the space domain?

Do you want to help deliver end-to-end acquisition lifecycle excellence to this nation's cutting edge space superiority programs?

If so, we'd love for you to join our team at Johns Hopkins University/Applied Physics Lab (JHU/APL).

We are seeking a Program Area Manager (PAM) to lead APL's on-site team at USSF/SSC. NOTE: Primary location is El Segundo, CA. However, the selected candidate may be based at APL's Laurel, MD campus, with expectation of traveling to APL's El Segundo, CA office multiple weeks each month.

This leader will:

• Drive the rapid acquisition and transition of space superiority systems into operational use, ensuring combat-ready capabilities reach the warfighter at speed.
• Apply APL's core competencies, to SSC's end-to-end acquisition lifecycle (architecture development requirements, prototyping, test, and transition) responsibilities.
• Shape and deliver space warfighting programs that transition from research to operational deployment at speed and scale.

As a Program Area Manager, your responsibilities will include:

Strategic Leadership

• Define and evolve the vision, strategy, and priorities for the Space Warfighting Implementation program area.
• Translate National Security Space (NSS) strategic vectors into impactful research, prototyping, and operational capabilities.
• Shape initiatives in space superiority missions to include Space Domain Awareness, Electronic Warfare, and Orbital Warfare.

Team Development and Execution Oversight

• Lead, mentor, and manage a team of Assistant PAMs, project managers, engineers, and analysts.
• Drive excellence across program execution metrics-technical performance, cost, schedule, and risk.
• Direct internal research and development (IRAD) efforts that advance APL's unique contributions to space warfighting operations.

Impactful Stakeholder Engagement

• Build and maintain trusted sponsor relationships with DoD, IC, and national security space organizations.
• Serve as a key spokesperson for the Space Warfighting Implementation Program Area, National Security Space Mission Area (NSSMA), and APL workforce by engaging senior sponsors and decision-makers within Space Systems Command.
• Advance a robust pipeline of classified and unclassified work in requirements development, modeling & simulation, and prototyping for future space warfighting capabilities and concepts

Collaboration and Integration

• Work closely with other PAMs, Mission Area Executives, line leadership, and technical experts to ensure cohesive NSSMA and "OneAPL" execution.
• Promote integrated approaches to mission challenges through collaborative, cross-domain innovation.

Advance the NSS Mission Area's impact across its five strategic vectors:

• Decision Superiority - Deliver machine-enabled predictive capabilities, intelligent automation, and advanced analytics that give the U.S. strategic and tactical advantages.
• Multi-Domain Kill Webs - Enable integrated, cross-domain sensor-to-shooter architectures and accelerate the Find-Fix-Track-Target-Engage-Assess (F2T2EA) cycle for space-enabled operations.
• Combat-Ready Space Capabilities - Drive prototyping, T&E, and spaceflight demonstrations to strengthen space warfighting resilience and readiness.
• Threat Understanding & Anticipation - Apply engineering assessments and emulation to replicate adversary threats, enhancing the U.S.'s ability to anticipate and counter space-based challenges.
• Space Warfighting Brain Trust - Advance technical education and training within APL and support sponsor-side development through embedded engineering expertise and mission immersion.

Your leadership will directly contribute to APL's ability to deliver combat-ready solutions, influence sponsor direction, and shape the future of national security space operations.

You meet our minimum qualifications if you have:

• A Bachelor's degree in engineering, physics, mathematics, or a related technical field.
• 10+ years of experience in developing, testing, or operating national security programs, including leadership of technical teams and successful sponsor engagement.
• Proven experience leading acquisition programs for space superiority missions (e.g., SDA, EW, orbital warfare, resilient comms).
• Demonstrated success in using rapid acquisition pathways (e.g., middle-tier acquisition, OTAs, Section 804, or similar) to deliver operational capabilities.
• Strong understanding of SSC's acquisition structures, decision processes, and mission priorities.
• A track record of leading high-performing, multidisciplinary, and matrixed teams.
• The ability to travel regularly to Laurel, MD and sponsor/operational locations. In addition, if selected candidate is based in Laurel, MD campus, must be willing and able to travel to El Segundo, CA multiple weeks per month.
• Exceptional communication, organizational leadership, and team-building skills.
• An active Top-Secret clearance and the ability to obtain TS/SCI level clearance. If selected, you will be subject to a government security clearance investigation and must meet the requirements for access to classified information. Eligibility requirements include U.S. citizenship.

You'll stand out if you also have:

• A Master's or PhD in a relevant technical or management field.
• Hands-on leadership of programs that transitioned to operations at SSC or equivalent DoD acquisition organizations.
• Experience aligning acquisition strategies with USSF/DoD space warfighting doctrine.
• Hands-on experience in threat engineering, red-teaming, or adversary modeling in support of space operations.
• Demonstrated experience in the development or exploitation of intelligence products for the DoD/IC.
• Leadership experience in cyber-space integration, contested space operations, or AI/ML for decision-making.
• Prior experience as a Program Manager, Group Supervisor, or equivalent.
• A current TS/SCI with CI-poly clearance.

Join us in shaping the future of space warfighting.

At APL, you'll work at the forefront of mission-critical innovation with teams that thrive on tackling the toughest challenges in space and defense. If you're ready to make a lasting impact, we're ready to meet you.

Why Work at APL?

The Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory (APL) brings world-class expertise to our nation's most critical defense, security, space and science challenges. While we are dedicated to solving complex challenges and pioneering new technologies, what makes us truly outstanding is our culture. We offer a vibrant, welcoming atmosphere where you can bring your authentic self to work, continue to grow, and build strong connections with inspiring teammates.

At APL, we celebrate our differences of perspectives and encourage creativity and bold, new ideas. Our employees enjoy generous benefits, including a robust education assistance program, unparalleled retirement contributions, and a healthy work/life balance. APL's campus is located in the Baltimore-Washington metro area. Learn more about our career opportunities at http://www.jhuapl.edu/careers.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, creed, color, religion, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, age, physical or mental disability, genetic information, veteran status, occupation, marital or familial status, political opinion, personal appearance, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. APL is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to individuals of all abilities, including those with disabilities. If you require a reasonable accommodation to participate in any part of the hiring process, please contact Accommodations@jhuapl.edu.

The referenced pay range is based on JHU APL's good faith belief at the time of posting. Actual compensation may vary based on factors such as geographic location, work experience, market conditions, education/training and skill level with consideration for internal parity. For salaried employees scheduled to work less than 40 hours per week, annual salary will be prorated based on the number of hours worked. APL may offer bonuses or other forms of compensation per internal policy and/or contractual designation. Additional compensation may be provided in the form of a sign-on bonus, relocation benefits, locality allowance or discretionary payments for exceptional performance. APL provides eligible staff with a comprehensive benefits package including retirement plans, paid time off, medical, dental, vision, life insurance, short-term disability, long-term disability, flexible spending accounts, education assistance, and training and development. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis.