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Physical Scientist, AST, Science Program Management (Direct Hire)

Langley Research Center

Job Location:

Washington, DC - USA

Yearly Salary: USD 127646 - 127646

Posted: 6 October 2026 (Yesterday)

Application Deadline: 3 January 2027

Vacancies: 1 Vacancy

Job Summary

Summary

As a Science Manager you will manage space science mission solicitations aligned with strategic goals and federal requirements conduct advanced planning and process improvement and chair scientific and/or technical management and cost reviews. You will oversee contracts or grants cost and schedule quality and transition to implementation. You will ensure unbiased conflict-free proposal evaluations build partnerships brief leaders analyze complex data and provide expert guidance.

Duties

Duties described below are at the highest grade advertised. Duties assigned at lower grade levels will be of more limited scope performed with less independence and limited complexity; duties will be commensurate with the grade of selected employee.
Support and lead the formulation of future spaceflight science mission solicitations (e.g. Announcements of Opportunity) aligned with strategic science goals (astrophysics heliophysics earth and planetary sciences) and federal regulations.
Lead advanced planning and analytical studies to develop interdisciplinary opportunities and initiate process improvements. Ensure that all solicitations technical details and evaluation plans incorporate best practices and lessons learned.
Organize and chair formal scientific reviews independent study teams and Technical Management and Cost (TMC) proposal review panels. Coordinate scientific engineering and management disciplines to ensure quality space mission assessments.
Perform comprehensive management functions spanning planning design test and evaluation cost analyses and quality management. Ensure a smooth transition to project implementation and support overall line-management processes.
Plan schedule and monitor contracted work academic grants and internal technical operations. Ensure quality instrument and mission proposal evaluations free of Conflict of Interest (COI) or biases and consistent with solicitation rules.
Organize research collaborations and technical forums involving contractors academia partner agencies etc. Disseminate research findings organize open meetings/websites present to executive leadership (e.g. NASA HQ) and debrief proposers.
Initiate and lead investigative group studies. Apply advanced scientific and geospatial techniques to interpret complex observational data derive defensible science conclusions or assess mission schedule cost and management.
Serve as a recognized authority in the physical sciences providing scientific and technical guidance across experience levels. Collaborate closely with cross-functional team members to deliver efficient work products and develop shared tools.

Requirements

Conditions of employment

This position is open to U.S. citizens nationals or those who owe allegiance to the U.S.
This position may require a one-year probationary/trial period. If selected the requirement to serve such period will be determined by Title 5 of the Code of Federal Regulations Part 11. **See Additional Information section**
You must meet qualifications requirements by the closing date of this announcement.
Position subject to pre-employment background investigation or higher-level clearance. Investigation/Clearance may differ and be required based on the duty location/NASA Center requirements.
Financial Disclosure Drug Testing and/or the Travel Requirements for this position may differ and be required based on the duty location/NASA Center requirements.

Qualifications

In addition to the Basic Education Requirement (in the Education section below) to qualify for this position you must meet the requirements below. Specialized experience is experience that has equipped you with the particular ability skill and knowledge to successfully perform the duties of this position and is typically in or related to this line of work.

NASA utilizes OPM-approved qualification and rating requirements specific for Aerospace Technology (AST) positions which recognizes NASAs unique aerospace work. The specific qualifications and minimum education requirements are further described below and within the education section of the job announcement.

To qualify for the GS-14 you must have one year of directly related specialized experience equivalent to the GS-13 level:

Supporting the analysis of internal and external customer requirements for spaceflight science programs and instrumentation and presenting needed changes activities or scientific research results to upper management;
Providing technical input into the development and implementation of policies procedures and operational schedules for evaluating space science missions and/or synthesizing scientific research results;
Supporting management and direction or coordination of multidisciplinary team efforts including monitoring contractors for a significant end product or a subject matter of complex scope such as an assessment of spaceflight mission systems or development of advanced instrumentation.

To qualify for the GS-15 you must have one year of directly related specialized experience equivalent to the GS-14 level:

Analyzing internal and external customer requirements for spaceflight science programs to identify and recommend changes related to program management systems engineering instrumentation or integration;
Providing scientific and/or technical direction in the development and implementation of policies procedures and operational schedules for evaluating space science missions and/or synthesizing scientific research results;
Managing and directing or coordinating multidisciplinary team efforts including monitoring contractors for a significant end product or a subject matter entity of complex scope such as an assessment of spaceflight mission systems or development of advanced instrumentation.

Your resume must include a clear and detailed narrative description in your own words of how you meet the required specialized experience. 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.

Please visit to review NASAs guidance on the use of artificial intelligent (AI) or AI-assisted tools during the application process.

Education

Basic Education Requirement: You must have successfully completed a bachelors degree with a major in one of the following:
a) Engineering from a college or university that has ABET accredited engineering programs
b) Physical Science Mathematics Life Science or other field of Science
c) Computer Science that included 30 semester hours or 45 quarter hours of course work in any combination of mathematics statistics and computer science with at least half of those hours in mathematics and statistics courses that included differential and integral calculus; and that provided an in-depth knowledge of theoretical and practical applications of computer science including digital computer system architecture and system software organization the representation and transformation of information structures and the theoretical models for such representations and transformations.

If you did not complete a qualifying bachelors degree you may be eligible if you have obtained a graduate degree in an AST qualifying field as listed above.

Applicants who do not fully meet the basic education requirement may still be considered if they possess exceptional relevant experience or a combination of education and experience that clearly demonstrates significant full performance-level achievement directly related to the duties of this position.

Engineering degrees earned within the United States: Engineering degrees earned within the United States must be from a college or university that has at least one ABET accredited engineering program. To find out if a school has at least one ABET accredited program please visit .

Engineering degrees earned outside the United States: Engineering degrees earned outside the United States must be recognized by a Mutual Recognition Agreement (MRA) often known as accords. These are non-governmental agreements among organizations that accredit academic degree programs. MRAs recognize the substantial equivalence of mature accreditation systems and programs accredited by signatory organizations within their jurisdictions. For a listing of Signatories please visit and other related degrees earned within the United States: Science and other related degrees must have been awarded from colleges or universities that are accredited by recognized accrediting organizations. For a list of schools that meet this criteria go to and other related degrees earned outside the United States: If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet the qualification requirements you must show that the education credentials have been evaluated by a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign education programs. These education credentials must be deemed equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. education program; or full credit has been given for the courses at a U.S. accredited college or university. For further information visit: degrees must have been received in the year of or any year subsequent to the original date of accreditation.

Additional information

Additional selections may be made for similar positions across NASA within the local commuting area(s) of the location(s) identified in this announcement. By applying you agree to have your application shared with interested selecting official(s) within NASA. CTAP/ICTAP will be cleared for any additional selection from this announcement.

For purposes of Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP) selection priority well-qualified is defined as possessing knowledge skills abilities and/or competencies which clearly exceed the minimum qualification requirements for the position as determined through SME review of the resume/application. If you have special priority selection rights under ICTAP you must:

Indicate your eligibility when applying for a position.
Exceed the minimum qualification requirements for the position.
Submit proof that you meet the requirements for ICTAP as indicated in Required Documents.

For additional information about CTAP/ICTAP eligibility click here - applicant that received a Voluntary Separation Incentive Payment (VSIP) from the federal governmentwithin the last five years based of the closing date of this announcement if selected may be required to repay the full amount prior to establishing a start date. For additional information on the VSIP repayment requirement click here - Executive Order 14343 this position is not part of a bargaining unit.

Probationary Period

You may be required to serve a one-year probationary period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. If selected the requirement to serve such period will be determined by Title 5 of the Code of Federal Regulations Part 11.

In determining if your employment advances the public interest we may consider:

your performance and conduct;

the needs and interests of the agency;

whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and

whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service.

Upon completion of your probationary period your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification in writing that your continued employment advances the public interest.

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.

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