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Program Manager, Giant Magellan Telescope (GMT), IS-340-14

Smithsonian Institution

Operations

Cambridge, MA, USA

USD 142,452-185,193 / year

Posted on Apr 9, 2026

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OPENING DATE: April 8, 2026
CLOSING DATE: May 8, 2026
SERIES/GRADE: PROGRAM MANAGER IS-340-14
TYPE OF POSITION: Trust Indefinite (Non-Federal)
DIVISION: Central Engineering
LOCATION: Cambridge, MA
AREA OF CONSIDERATION: This position requires access to export-controlled work. The candidate must be a U.S. person (citizen, permanent resident, approved asylee, or refugee) or a national of a country eligible to be approved for an export license who is eligible to work in the US.

SAO is unable to provide visa sponsorship for this position

What are Trust Fund Positions?

Trust Fund positions are unique to the Smithsonian. They are paid for from a variety of sources, including the Smithsonian endowment, revenue from our business activities, donations, grants and contracts. Trust employees are not part of the civil service, nor does trust fund employment lead to Federal status. The salary ranges for trust positions are generally the same as for federal positions and in many cases trust and federal employees work side by side. Trust employees have their own benefit program, which may include Health, Dental & Vision Insurance, Life Insurance, Transit/Commuter Benefits, Accidental Death and Dismemberment Insurance, Annual and Sick Leave, Family Friendly Leave, 403b Retirement Plan, Discounts for Smithsonian Memberships, Museum Stores and Restaurants, Credit Union, Flexible Spending Account (Health & Dependent Care).

Conditions of Employment

Pass Pre-employment Background Check and Subsequent Background Investigation, as required.
Complete a Probationary Period if applicable.
Maintain a Bank Account for Direct Deposit/Electronic Transfer.
The position is open to all candidates eligible to work in the United States. Proof of eligibility to work in U.S. is not required to apply.
Applicants must meet all qualification and eligibility requirements within 30 days of the closing date of this announcement.
This position requires access to export-controlled work. The candidate must be a U.S. person (citizen, permanent resident, approved asylee, or refugee) or a national of a country eligible for an export license who is eligible to work in the US.

Application Deadline: May 08, 2026
Department: Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory
Employment Type: Full Time
Location: Cambridge, MA
Workplace type: Onsite
Compensation: $142,452 - $185,193 / year

OVERVIEW

INTRODUCTION
The Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory (SAO) is at the forefront, internationally, of the scientific exploration of the universe. SAO combines its resources with those of the Harvard College Observatory to form the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics (CfA). The CfA is the best-known astrophysics center in the world. Its programs range from ground-based astronomy and astrophysics research to space-based research, the engineering and development of major scientific instrumentation for space launch and use in large ground-based facilities, and research designed to improve science education. The research objectives of SAO are carried out primarily with the support of Government and Smithsonian Institution funds, with additional philanthropic support. Government funds are in the form of Federal appropriations or the form of contracts and grants from other agencies. In contrast, Institution funds are available to SAO through grants from the Institution's Restricted Funds, Special Purpose Funds, Bureau Activities, Business Activities, and non-Federal contracts and grants.

SUMMARY
The purpose of the position is to provide overall program direction and technical leadership to the development of the GMT-Consortium Large Earth Finder (G-CLEF), and potentially to both other instrumentation projects for the next generation Giant Magellan Telescope, and/or to the development of new or upgraded scientific instruments for astronomical and astrophysical data collection for existing ground-based telescopes.

MAJOR DUTIES

Facilitates the day to day management of complex scientific instrumentation projects. Supports the Principal Investigator (PI) in the development of project plans, budgets, schedules, resource allocation, work statements, and work breakdown structures. Works with the PI and Project Engineer to ensure that tasks, procurements, and other project actions are progressing as planned. Maintains and tracks action and risk registers. Works with project staff and subcontractors to update and status the project schedule. Serves as the primary technical point of contact in establishing, and during the execution of, major subcontracts. Coordinates with SAO GMTO projects’ Business Manager and other administrative/management staff to ensure effective project support. Communicates overall project plans and detailed task expectations to SAO personnel at all levels, and to subcontractors and partners. Prepares and oversees submission of periodic progress status reports as required by sponsors.
Coordinates and conducts regularly recurring technical status meetings. Leads the overall preparation and execution of major technical and management reviews including milestone and instrument Preliminary and Final Design Reviews. Holds progress meeting with industry subcontractors of major assemblies. Develops and presents technical and programmatic briefings in support of proposals, functional working group meetings, status reviews, and formal program reviews. Provides support to mission panels and working groups as requested. Provides technical and management expertise to the development of proposals for external funding for ground-based astronomy instruments for submission to a variety of sponsors including government agencies and private organizations. This will include, but is not limited to, working with the Principal Investigator to identify potential funding opportunities; identifying required resources and obtaining internal support for proposal preparation; developing program management plans, cost estimates, and schedules; writing programmatic sections of proposals; coordinating the contributions of other team members; and overseeing overall proposal preparation and submission. Coordinates the development of project re-plans, including adjustments to scope of work, budgets, and schedules as required to adapt to reductions or delays in project funding.
As a Smithsonian Contracting Officer’s Technical Representative (COTR), serves as the SAO/project representative in the management of subcontracts. Works with subcontractors and SAO contracts’ management staff to ensure subcontracts are being executed on schedule, contractor performance is acceptable, invoices are being submitted in a timely manner, and subcontractors are paid expeditiously. Brings business management acumen to the GMT projects. Works with project staff and funds management personnel to collect relevant information to evaluate project progress and cost status. Analyzes schedule and cost information to generate project performance metrics.
As a member of the PMO, works collaboratively to identify and promote best practices for project management across SAO. Works with project teams to identify areas where processes-- both management and technical might be improved and provide guidance on how improvements might be implemented effectively. Participates in reviews as requested, including design reviews of other Observatory projects. Supports the Principal Investigator in working with SAO advancement teams in philanthropic outreach as requested.
Performs other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS

Basic Requirements:

Candidates must possess at least one year of specialized experience at or above the grade 13 level in similar positions. Specialized experience is experience that has provided the knowledge, skills and abilities to successfully perform the work of the position such as:

Demonstrated experience supporting or directing complex technical projects or
programs involving scientific instrumentation, engineering systems, or large
research facilities.
Experience working with multidisciplinary teams that may include scientists,
engineers, technical specialists, contractors, and administrative personnel.
Demonstrated ability to plan, organize, and coordinate complex technical work
involving multiple stakeholders, competing priorities, and evolving technical
requirements.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities required:

Advanced comprehensive professional experience in a scientific or technical discipline sufficient to enable the incumbent to provide overall direction to the development of scientific instrumentation that extends state of the art. This includes the ability to understand overall mission science and technical objectives and stakeholders’ responsibilities and goals.
Expert knowledge of the principles and practices of technical program management, particularly as they pertain to the development of scientific instrumentation; including the methods and tools for developing, scheduling, coordinating, and managing projects and resources; and monitoring and evaluating costs, work, and contractor performance.
Professional knowledge and experience in implementing formal cost control methodologies such as Earned Value Management. Ability to formally assess risks and develop mitigation strategies on complex one-of-a-kind development projects according to known methodologies used by government sponsors such as NASA, NSF, DoD, DoE or similar.
Ability to determine project resource needs, plan and organize the work of diverse project teams that include both internal staff and national and international partners, determine short- and long-term goals and strategies, set priorities, and coordinate with other stakeholders--both internal and external--to achieve project goals.
Ability to develop, justify, and control budgets for complex high value scientific instrument development projects to support ongoing project execution, calculate estimates to complete, and support proposal development.
Superior knowledge of multiple types of contracts, procurement strategies, and contract negotiation and administration. Experience managing industry partners with the development of hardware from design through delivery.
Exceptional knowledge and skills in communication and the ability to convey complex project concepts both orally and in writing to internal and external stakeholders from scientists and engineering teams to sponsor review panels. Ability to resolve disagreements equitably and build consensus on critical issues about which there may be conflicting viewpoints. Experience organizing teams in preparation for formal external technical and programmatic reviews.

Any false statement in your application may result in rejection of your application and may also result in termination after employment begins.

Join us in "Inspiring Generations through Knowledge and Discovery."

Resumes should include a description of your paid and non-paid work experience that is related to this job; starting and ending dates of job (month and year); and average number of hours worked per week.

What To Expect Next: Once the vacancy announcement closes, a review of your resume will be compared against the qualification and experience requirements related to this job. After review of applicant resumes is complete, qualified candidates will be referred to the hiring manager.

Relocation expenses are not paid.

The Smithsonian Institution provides reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities where appropriate. Applicants requiring reasonable accommodation should contact hr@cfa.harvard.edu. Determinations on requests for reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis. To learn more, please review the Smithsonian’s Accommodation Procedures.

The Smithsonian Institution is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We believe that a workforce comprising a variety of educational, cultural, and experiential backgrounds support and enhance our daily work life and contribute to the richness of our exhibitions and programs. See Smithsonian EEO program information: https://www.si.edu/oeo.

The Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory is an equal opportunity employer. Please visit the SAO website at http://www.cfa.harvard.edu/

About Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory

The Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory is joined by Harvard College Observatory to form the Center for Astrophysics | Harvard & Smithsonian. The Center is a collaboration between Harvard and Smithsonian designed to ask — and ultimately answer — humanity’s greatest unresolved questions about the nature of the universe. Founded in 1973, the Center for Astrophysics | Harvard & Smithsonian is an ongoing collaboration designed to foster innovation and propel discovery. Our mission is to advance knowledge of the Universe through research in astronomy and astrophysics and in related areas of fundamental physics and geophysics.

At the CfA, scientists in a broad range of disciplines study the universe at every scale, from every wavelength, and using telescopes and instruments that span and orbit the globe, all with a single purpose: making groundbreaking discoveries that advance human knowledge.

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