Job Description

Are you passionate about developing cutting-edge space systems to advance national security?

Are you a dynamic leader with experience building diverse teams to solve difficult technical challenges?

Do you value a positive, inclusive work environment that celebrates innovation, technical excellence, and collaboration?

If so, we're looking for someone like you to join our team at APL!

The SAP Group provides technical expertise for space control applications with a focus on acquisition and testing of space warfighting systems. As the SAP Group Supervisor, you would provide leadership, vision, and technical oversight to a group of approximately 40 staff members located at APL’s main campus in Laurel, MD as well as 6 staff members at APL’s Colorado Springs Field Office.

In the SAP group, our core capabilities and applications include test and evaluation of space and space-supporting systems; space threat systems analysis; multi-domain operations; force design; and tactics development.

Your responsibilities would include:

• Strategic Leadership. Provide technical and strategic leadership across all aspects of the group's work. Develop and maintain core capabilities and group infrastructure to ensure the group will meet the needs of the Space Exploration Sector's mission. Effectively advocate for and represent the group's interests and resource needs to Branch, Sector, and program leadership. Collaborate with other SA Group Supervisors and the SA Branch Supervisor to support Branch and Sector needs.
• Staff Development. Recruit, develop, and retain highly capable, impactful, and diverse staff. Ensure that all group members receive effective coaching, feedback, and career development opportunities. Supervise, lead, and mentor section supervisors and group-level staff. Identify and develop key talent for future leadership roles.
• Work Execution. Work with program and project managers to ensure adequate project staffing based on strategic priorities, mission goals, and program needs. Ensure technical work performed in the group meets quality and schedule requirements and that best practices are followed. Participate in and/or lead key technical efforts.
• Group Culture. Create a work environment that fosters innovation, stimulates professional growth, encourages collaboration, and values diversity. Encourage participation in APL innovation programs, technical/functional forums (conferences, communities of practice, etc.), and help formulate new proposals. Ensure appropriate staff recognition for achievements.
• Facilities and Infrastructure. Manage group resources including overhead, capital, and training budgets; office space; and lab facilities.

You meet our minimum qualifications for the job if you have:

• M.S. degree or equivalent in physics, mathematics, aerospace engineering, electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, or a related technical field.
• At least 10 years of experience in the development, analysis, and/or implementation of space systems for space control or related national security applications.
• At least 3 years of leadership experience in line management, project/program management. 
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Excellent interpersonal skills including the ability to effectively interact with staff at all levels.
• Excellent organizational and time management skills.
• Hold an active Top Secret security clearance, and can ultimately obtain a TS/SCI and Special Access Program (SAP)-level clearance. If selected, you will be subject to a government security clearance investigation and must meet the requirements for access to classified information. Eligibility requirements include U.S. citizenship.

You'll go above and beyond our minimum requirements if you have:

• At least 15 years of experience in the development, analysis, and/or implementation of space control systems.
• Previous experience as a Group or Assistant Group Supervisor at APL.
• Previously held a significant leadership role for a space control program.
• An active TS/SCI clearance.
• An active Special Access Program (SAP) clearance and/or previous experience working SAPs.

Be Part of Something Innovative

Over the past 25 years, the Space Exploration Sector at APL has pushed the boundaries of what is possible, delivering game-changing impacts to sponsors like NASA and the Department of Defense. This includes historic, science space firsts like New Horizons reaching Pluto, Parker Solar Probe being the first to “touch” the sun, and the DART mission that redirected an asteroid for planetary defense. As a not-for-profit university affiliated research center, APL also delivered solutions to our nation’s national security challenges, as proven with the recent Deep Space Advanced Radar Concept (DARC) Tech Demo, and acts as a trusted partner with the US Space Force in space domain awareness and space-integrated warfare.

APL teams are currently developing missions that will advance the search for life in the Solar System through programs such as Europa Clipper and Dragonfly, exploring the lunar and cislunar domains, and providing fundamental knowledge of our Sun’s influence on the near-Earth environment through IMAP and other research and technology endeavors. To learn about these APL missions and projects, visit https://civspace.jhuapl.edu/ and https://www.jhuapl.edu/OurWork/NationalSecuritySpace.

Why Work at APL?

The Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory (APL) brings world-class expertise to our nation’s most critical defense, security, space and science challenges. While we are dedicated to solving complex challenges and pioneering new technologies, what makes us truly outstanding is our culture. We offer a vibrant, welcoming atmosphere where you can bring your authentic self to work, continue to grow, and build strong connections with inspiring teammates.

At APL, we celebrate our differences and encourage creativity and bold, new ideas. Our employees enjoy generous benefits, including a robust education assistance program, unparalleled retirement contributions, and a healthy work/life balance. APL’s campus is located in the Baltimore-Washington metro area. Learn more about our career opportunities at http://www.jhuapl.edu/careers.

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APL is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, creed, color, religion, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, age, physical or mental disability, genetic information, veteran status, occupation, marital or familial status, political opinion, personal appearance, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.

APL is committed to promoting an innovative environment that embraces diversity, encourages creativity, and supports inclusion of new ideas. In doing so, we are committed to providing reasonable accommodation to individuals of all abilities, including those with disabilities. If you require a reasonable accommodation to participate in any part of the hiring process, please contact Accommodations@jhuapl.edu. Only by ensuring that everyone’s voice is heard are we empowered to be bold, do great things, and make the world a better place.

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