Project Manager - Navy Precision Optical Interferometer

For a complete job description and instructions on how to apply, please see the full add on our website: http://lowell.edu/about/employment

The Project Manager position will be primarily responsible for leading the development of a large upgrade to the Navy Precision Optical Interferometer (NPOI), which is managed and operated by Lowell Observatory.  The successful applicant will be skilled in project management and will also have experience in a highly technical field such as astronomical instrumentation.

RESPONSIBILITIES

The Project Manager oversees numerous aspects of the planned upgrade to NPOI, including budget, scheduling, and resource allocation, along with requirements development, flow-down, and tracking.  The Project Manager will be involved in oversight (including hiring) of Lowell Observatory staff tasked with completing the upgrade.  The PM will also work directly with partners and stakeholders (US Naval Research Lab, US Naval Observatory, and US Forest Service) to ensure successful execution of the NPOI upgrade project within scheduling, budgetary, and regulatory constraints.  This will include regular reporting, along with formal reviews (both internal and external) of progress toward project milestones.

The PM will also work with contractors and outside vendors, and will manage project-specific knowledge (including technical documentation and version control).  Finally, the Project Manager will monitor all aspects of the project for safety compliance and quality assurance.

QUALIFICATIONS, EXPERIENCE, AND EDUCATION

Requires proactive leadership ability and excellent communication skills, along with organizational skills, attention to detail, and highly developed problem-solving capacity.  Demonstrated ability to work with cross-disciplinary specialists (e.g., scientists, engineers, and architects) is desirable.

Requires Project Management training and certification, as well as experience in managing large (>$1M) technical projects through their entire lifecycle.  5+ years of Project Management Experience is preferred, as is experience with systems engineering principles and practices.

A bachelor’s degree in a STEM or management field is required; an advanced degree is preferred.  Experience with astronomical or optical instrumentation is strongly preferred; experience specifically related to optical interferometry will be viewed favorably.