Research Program Manager - Hypersonics

The University of Minnesota's National Security Research Institute (NSRI) seeks a Research Program Manager (Hypersonics) to lead business development, program creation, and delivery of a high-impact hypersonics portfolio. The role combines sponsor-facing program leadership (contracting, reporting, planning) with technical fluency in hypersonics related topics to translate needs into winning proposals.

Reports to: Executive Director, NSRI. Works closely with: faculty and other researchers, RIO Sponsored Projects Administration, RIO Research Integrity and Compliance (including Export Controls), RIO Finance, relevant colleges, centers and institutes, the AVP for External Affairs & Communications, and the AVP for Research Capacity Building.

Position Duties and Responsibilities

Business Development & Capture (50%)

• Work with hypersonics faculty and research staff to develop proposals, support pre-award and post-award project management, and streamline the contracting process to maximize research productivity.
• Drive the hypersonics opportunity pipeline (12-24 months) across AFRL/AFOSR, ONR/NAVAIR, Army, DARPA, and NASA centers.
• Shape opportunities (white papers, SOIs, briefings), build teams (UMN, labs, primes), and develop competitive, compliant submissions.
• Develop networks across the hypersonic space and engage in creation of new programmatic opportunities.
• Provide support on targeted efforts aligned with the funding (e.g., materials/TPS for extreme environments, aerothermal M&S, propulsion/GNC, flight or ground test campaigns).
• Assist with technical scoping, milestones, and deliverables; mentor students/staff; publish and present results as appropriate.

Government Interface & Partnerships (20%)

• Act as day-to-day interface to sponsors, ranges, and primes; coordinate PMRs/IPRs, site visits, tech exchanges, and test access.
• Accurately convey program status and technical nuance between government PMs and UMN teams-no "message drift."

Contracting, Reporting & Program Operations (15%)

• Assist with FAR/DFARS/OTA award administration: SOW/CDRLs, budgets, mods, subawards, and closeout.
• Maintain the Integrated Master Schedule (IMS), risk register, and EV-style cost/schedule tracking; participate in generation of compliant reports (quad charts, IPMDAR-like status, ETC/EAC).

Team Leadership, Mentoring & Workforce (10%)

• Supervise project staff; coordinate student pipelines (capstones, internships, fellowships).
• Help design short courses/workshops with sponsors to build workforce readiness.

Governance, Compliance & Ethics (5%)

• Ensure ITAR/EAR, CUI, DD254, secure compute/data practices, and IP/CRADA/DUA terms are observed.
• Provide concise quarterly portfolio updates for the ED, Governing Board, and Faculty Advisory Board.

Additional Information
PI status: On a case-by-case basis, eligibility to serve as PI/co-PI and seek adjunct/affiliate appointments will follow UMN PI policy and sponsor rules.
Effort mix: Participant on the research program, typically 20-30% effort (portfolio-dependent); BD/capture and delivery make up the balance.
Security: U.S. citizenship and clearance eligibility required.
Location/Travel: Twin Cities campus; periodic travel to sponsors, labs, ranges, and partners.
Title flexibility: Candidates with deeper credentials may be considered for Senior Research Program Manager - Hypersonics.

Flexible Work Profile
The Research and Innovation Office (RIO) and the National Security Research Institute (NSRI) endorse a "work with flexibility" approach that offers a welcoming and flexible work environment where everyone is inspired to do their best. Work location options include working fully remote, partially remote, or entirely in the office and are based on the work of the position. Some on-site work may be necessary for certain positions, even those designated as fully remote.

This position was designated to be fully in the office/lab (Profile 1) or partially remote (Profile 2, with work expected to be performed in the office/lab a minimum of 3 days per week).

At least initially, the incumbent will be expected to spend more time in the office/lab to ease onboarding, create connections with team members, and initiate collaborations. Work schedule will be finalized with the supervisor and will be dependent on the research program needs. Regardless of the typical work arrangement set, this role comes with the requirement to attend numerous on-campus work events and on-site meetings for collaboration and team effectiveness. Unless collaborating at a research program site, the incumbent will work from the NSRI office in Suite 450 in the McNamara Alumni Center located at 200 SE Oak Street on the Twin Cities, Minneapolis Campus.

RIO management retains the right to modify flexible work arrangement agreements on a temporary or permanent basis for any reason at any time.

Required Qualifications

• BA/BS degree required but MS degree in a technical field (aerospace, mechanical, materials, or closely related) and PhD strongly preferred.
• 10 years relevant experience with 5+ years leading government-facing R&D programs (DoD/NASA/Service Labs/FFRDC/UARC or prime); experience as PI/co-PI or task lead.
• Demonstrated success in BD/capture and winning proposals, plus hands-on program management (contracting, reporting, IMS, risk, cost/schedule).
• Deep working knowledge of hypersonics sufficient to brief sponsors and guide PI teams.
• U.S. citizenship and ability to obtain/maintain a security clearance.

Other Required Credentials

• Due to the nature of some of the essential functions of this position, successful candidates must:
  be a US Citizen;
• possess an active US Government security clearance or have the ability to obtain and maintain a US Government security clearance.

Preferred Qualifications

• PhD with significant M&S (CFD/aerothermodynamics, TPS/thermal-structural, trajectory/6-DoF).
• Background at NASA (Langley/Ames/Glenn) or AFRL/Service Labs, or in roles supporting them.
• Experience with OTAs, cost-type and FFP contracts, EVMS/IPMDAR, and test/flight campaigns (AEDC, WSMR, Sandia, etc.).
• Established network across DoD labs, primes, ranges, and national labs.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Exceptional presenter and technical writer; crisp sponsor briefings and persuasive white papers.
• Highly organized PM toolkit: Microsoft Project (or Primavera), Jira/Confluence; MBSE/DOORS familiarity a plus.
• Facility with export control, CUI handling, secure compute, and data rights/IP.
• Low-ego, high-EQ leader able to supervise technical staff and convene interdisciplinary teams.

The National Security Research Institute (NSRI) at the University of Minnesota serves as a national hub to drive interdisciplinary partnerships on national security-related funding opportunities. NSRI advances leading-edge research and workforce training programs that deliver significant value for the sponsor. NSRI promotes and sustains strategic partnerships with government agencies, DoD and national labs, defense-oriented entities, academia, and industry.

Pay Range: $160,007.36-$219,545.33; depending on education/qualifications/experience

Time Appointment: 100%

Position Type: Faculty and P&A Staff

Please visit the Office of Human Resources website for more information regarding benefit eligibility.

The University offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes:

• Relocation expenses may be available
• Competitive wages, paid holidays, and generous time off
• Continuous learning opportunities through professional training and degree-seeking programs supported by the Regents Tuition Benefit Program
• Low-cost medical, dental, and pharmacy plans
• Healthcare and dependent care flexible spending accounts
• University HSA contributions
• Disability and employer-paid life insurance
• Employee wellbeing program
• Excellent retirement plans with employer contribution
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) opportunity
• Financial counseling services
• Employee Assistance Program with eight sessions of counseling at no cost
• Employee Transit Pass with free or reduced rates in the Twin Cities metro area

Applications must be submitted online. To be considered for this position, please click the Apply button and follow the instructions. You will be given the opportunity to complete an online application for the position and attach a cover letter and resume.

Additional documents may be attached after application by accessing your "My Job Applications" page and uploading documents in the "My Cover Letters and Attachments" section.

To request an accommodation during the application process, please e-mail employ@umn.edu or call (612) 624-8647.

The University recognizes and values the importance of diversity and inclusion in enriching the employment experience of its employees and in supporting the academic mission. The University is committed to attracting and retaining employees with varying identities and backgrounds.

The University of Minnesota provides equal access to and opportunity in its programs, facilities, and employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, age, marital status, disability, public assistance status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. To learn more about diversity at the U: http://diversity.umn.edu

Any offer of employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a background check. Our presumption is that prospective employees are eligible to work here. Criminal convictions do not automatically disqualify finalists from employment.

Due to the nature of some of the essential functions of this position, successful candidates must:

• be a US Citizen;
• possess an active US Government security clearance or have the ability to obtain and maintain a US Government security clearance.

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC)

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC), is among the largest public research universities in the country, offering undergraduate, graduate, and professional students a multitude of opportunities for study and research. Located at the heart of one of the nation's most vibrant, diverse metropolitan communities, students on the campuses in Minneapolis and St. Paul benefit from extensive partnerships with world-renowned health centers, international corporations, government agencies, and arts, nonprofit, and public service organizations.

At the University of Minnesota, we are proud to be recognized by the Star Tribune as a Top Workplace for 2021, as well as by Forbes as Best Employers for Women and one of America's Best Employers (2015, 2018, 2019, 2023), Best Employer for Diversity (2019, 2020), Best Employer for New Grads (2018, 2019), and Best Employer by State (2019, 2022).