Description

The National Security Research Institute (NSRI) seeks a Research Project Manager (Hypersonic Systems) to oversee the daily operations, milestones, and execution of sponsor-funded research grants and contracts. The person in the role will work at the frontier of hypersonics modeling and simulation (M&S), contribute directly to national security research infrastructure, and help drive the future of NSRI’s hypersonics portfolio. This role assists with end-to-end activities of the program lifecycle - from scope definition and contract administration through execution, milestone delivery, and closeout - while ensuring that all research activities meet cost, schedule, and technical performance objectives. The role combines sponsor-facing leadership (reporting, planning) with technical fluency in hypersonics-related topics. This person builds sponsor confidence through rigorous reporting, proactive issue resolution, and consistent execution - and grows NSRI’s sponsor relationships by demonstrating credibility and capability.

This position reports to the NSRI Program Manager (Hypersonic Systems) and works closely with faculty and other researchers in relevant colleges, centers and institutes, as well as with central research administration units such as the RIO Sponsored Projects Administration, and various business and industry partners.

Please note: This position is not eligible for H-1B visa sponsorship.

Key Responsibilities

• Management, Execution and Delivery of Research Projects - (75%)
• Contracting & Reporting (10%)
• Program Support and Development (10%)
• Other duties as assigned (5%)

Click Here to View the Full Job Description: https://hr.myu.umn.edu/jobs/ext/374376

Requirements

Required Qualifications

• BA/BS degree in a relevant technical field (e.g., Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Aviation Management) plus at least six years of relevant experience, or advanced degree in a relevant technical field plus at least four years of relevant experience.
• Extensive experience in directly managing sponsored research projects, or government-facing or industry-facing R&D programs (e.g. DoD, NASA, Service Labs, FFRDC/UARC, or prime contractor).
• Demonstrated track record of successfully managing, executing and completing research projects to cost, schedule, and technical requirements.
• Proficiency in project management skills and toolsets (e.g. Jira, Asana, MS Project) 
• Familiarity with export control, CUI handling, secure compute, and data rights/intellectual property.
• Excellent presenter and technical writer; able to deliver crisp and persuasive briefings.
• Working knowledge of Earned Value Management System (EVMS) principles and practices, including cost/schedule baseline management, variance analysis, and EAC/ETC reporting.

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 modeling and simulation experience (e.g. CFD/aerothermodynamics, TPS/thermal-structural, trajectory/6-DoF).
• PM certification such as Project Management Professional certification (PMP), Certified ScrumMaster (CSM) or other broadly-recognized credential in the field.
• Experience working as a research project manager in an academic research environment, the aerospace industry or in government-funded research entities (e.g. NASA, AFRL/Service Labs, etc.).
• Demonstrated understanding of engineering design lifecycles, government research program structures, and aerospace-specific regulatory frameworks (ITAR/EAR, export control, CUI handling, data rights/IP).
• Sufficient knowledge of hypersonics, computational fluid dynamics (CFD), or related disciplines to engage meaningfully with PI teams on technical milestones and sponsor deliverables, and participate in technical conversations.
• Experience with OTAs, cost-type and FFP contracts, EVMS/IPMDAR, and test/flight campaigns (AEDC, WSMR, Sandia, etc.).
• Able to travel up to 25%