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Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS)  MIT Program Manager
  • Job Number: 23750
  • Functional Area: Research - Scientific
  • Department: Kavli Inst for Astrophysics & Space Rsrch
  • School Area: Science
  • Employment Type: Full-time (Hybrid)
  • Employment Category: Exempt
  • Visa Sponsorship Available: No
  • Schedule:


Job Description

TRANSITING EXOPLANET SURVEY SATELLITE (TESS) MIT PROGRAM MANAGER, Kavli Institute for Astrophysics and Space Research, to manage ongoing space operations and science data production in close coordination with the mission principal investigator, Dr. George Ricker.  Will serve as a key member of TESS mission leadership and work in close collaboration with NASA’s Goddard Spaceflight Center (GSFC), Northrup Grumman Corporation (NGC), Ames Research Center (ARC), the Space Telescope Science Institute (STScI), the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory (SAO), and other partner organizations to continue the high level of scientific productivity through management of the local Payload Operations Center (POC) and TESS Science Office (TSO) teams. Programmatic management of mission execution (finances, schedule, contract oversight, and risk management), technical management of ongoing operations (data downlink, processing, and storage; system health monitoring and anomaly response; engineering testing; etc.), oversight of science data production, and personnel management are expected elements of this position.  Will also play a key role in the definition, proposal, and execution of future Extended Mission phases, starting with Extended Mission 3 in 2025.  

Job Requirements

REQUIRED:  B.Sc. or equivalent degree in aerospace engineering, astrophysics, or related field; four years’ experience with management of satellite missions, space system operations, or associated engineering tasks; familiarity with NASA mission operations practices; and ability to work and lead in a team-based environment across all levels and to communicate collaboratively at the highest technical levels. PREFERRED:  experience with personnel management and supervision, familiarity with TESS mission data or other time-series astrophysics mission data, experience with contract and financial management, and experience in an academic or similar experimental environment.  Job #23750

2/16/24