Job DetailsJPL is seeking an experienced, forward-thinking leader to direct the Integrated Program Evaluation Office (IPEO), an independent organization responsible for delivering objective, data driven estimates and assessments of cost, schedule, performance, and risk across the Laboratory's flight projects. This role plays a critical part in ensuring mission success for some of the world's most complex and ambitious space exploration endeavors.
The position has a direct reporting relationship to the Program Analysis & Evaluation Management Office under the JPL Chief Financial Officer, with a dual reporting path to the Associate Laboratory Director for Flight Project and Mission Success. This dual alignment ensures both fiduciary independence and integration with mission execution.
Specific responsibilities include:- Lead a multidisciplinary team of cost engineers, schedule analysts, contracts performance analysts, and institutional business managers who perform independent evaluations for competed and directed missions throughout the project lifecycle.
- Oversee the development and integration of analytical methods, models, and performance metrics that assess project cost realism, schedule credibility, technical progress, and risk posture.
- Partner in conducting readiness assessments in preparedness for baseline establishment and at other applicable lifecycle decision points.
- Lead independent cost, schedule, and risk assessments for all major flight projects, ensuring high-quality evaluation of project credibility, risk posture, strengths, weaknesses, and institutional capability to meet commitments.
- Strengthen institutional processes for program evaluation, decision readiness, and mission success through continuous improvement and implementation of best practices
- Communicate requirements and risk assessment processes to projects, Standing Review Board (SRB), Independent Review Team (IRT) members, NASA Headquarters, and JPL management.
- Monitor project performance through routine Estimate at Complete (EAC) validations, schedule risk assessments, and integrated performance analyses
- Direct subcontractor performance analyses, conducting monthly business and technical assessments and presenting findings with the project and in reviews as appropriate.
- Identify emerging risks and systemic trends across the mission portfolio and advise projects and JPL executive management on mitigation strategies.
- Represent the organization in high-visibility institutional reviews, clearly articulating assessment results and their implications for mission success.
- Build strong, trust-based relationships with project teams and institutional partners while maintaining- the independence required for objective evaluation.
- Provide mentorship and coaching to strengthen technical capability, organizational awareness, and leadership readiness across the team.
Qualifications- Master's degree or higher, with typically 8 years of progressively responsible management experience.
- Demonstrated people management experience leading multidisciplinary teams, with a proven ability to motivate teams, foster engagement, and drive high-performance results through clear communication and positive leadership.
- Comprehensive technical background in cost assessment, including cost modeling, schedule analysis, performance assessment, and risk assessment.
- Proven ability to integrate complex, data-driven insights into executive-level decision-making while maintaining independence and objectivity.
- Demonstrated ability to communicate complex procedures, analyses, and data clearly and effectively, tailoring messages to diverse audiences ranging from project teams to JPL executive management.
- Strong track record of teaming and influencing across organizational boundaries, building effective partnerships within and across directorates.
- Experience collaborating with industry partners, other NASA Centers, U.S. government agencies, and external stakeholders in the execution of projects and programs.
Preferred Qualifications- Hold or be able to obtain an active TS/SCI clearance.
JPL has a catalog of benefits and perks that span from the traditional to the unique. This includes a variety of health, dental, vision, wellbeing, and retirement plans, paid time off, learning, rideshare, childcare, flexible schedule, parental leave and many more. Our focus is on work-life balance, and living healthy, fulfilling lives as we Dare Mighty Things Together. For benefits eligible positions, benefits are effective the first day of the month coincident with or immediately following the employee's start date.
For further benefits information click Benefits and Perks
The hiring range displayed below is specifically for those who will work in or reside in the location listed. In extending an offer, Jet Propulsion Laboratory considers factors including, but not limited to, the candidate's job related skills, experience, knowledge, and relevant education/training.
The typical full time equivalent annual hiring range for this job in Pasadena, California.
$214,760 - $271,024
