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Located in Pasadena, California, JPL has a campus-like environment situated on 177 acres in the foothills of the San Gabriel Mountains and offers a work environment unlike any other: we inspire passion, foster innovation, build collaboration, and reward excellence.

The Project Controls Section provides project cost and schedule control, planning, and analysis support to JPL’s programs and projects.  As a Project Controls Process/Training Implementer, you will report directly to the Section Manager for Project Controls and be responsible for supporting and implementing the Division’s strategic vision and ensuring that sound project control processes and practices are defined, maintained, applied, and upheld on all JPL programs and projects.  This role will involve developing and implementing cutting-edge techniques in scheduling, Earned Value Management (EVM), and project controls, as well as serving as a key advisor to both internal and external stakeholders. This is an exciting opportunity to be on the forefront of improving JPL’s Project Controls processes through establishing and cultivating changes for process and tool standardization, ensuring compliance and data integrity for cost and schedule, and establishing training recommendations to help improve schedule planning, analysis, and performance on JPL Projects.

Key Responsibilities:

Technique Development:

Develop and establish industry-leading techniques and methodologies for conducting critical path and schedule risk analyses that influence Lab-wide strategic objectives.

Stakeholder Interface:

Regularly interact with point of contacts with NASA HQ, NASA centers, external sponsors, and industry partners, serving as an external authority in scheduling and project controls to help improve schedule data analysis, processes, and tools.

Process Creation:

Design and implement improvements of practices and procedures for project/program schedule analysis, tools, processes, and documentation with Lab-wide strategic impacts across multiple projects and organizations.

Accountability and Impact:

Formalize processes and reports for project business team reviews with their technical counterparts to address business concerns and provide insight for decision making, strategic planning and reporting. Your decisions recommendations will positively influence the Laboratory’s reputation and drive business opportunities, critical mission successes, and process improvements.

Oversight Responsibilities:

Maintain top-level oversight of project business positions in relation to NASA, institutional, and contractual customers.

Executive Advisory:

Consult with executive management on Laboratory issues and collaborate with institutional senior management and industry partners.

Present the strategic schedule/tools improvement plan and progress picture for major projects and programs to Lab executives and other leadership.

Advisory Role:

Act as an advisor to the Lab on processes for facilitating schedule plan corrective actions and assist projects in resolving issues related to significant schedule variances and findings. Lead complex, Laboratory-wide projects and activities, providing guidance to management and mentoring the next generation of JPL leadership.

Knowledge and Expertise:

Multidisciplinary Expertise:

In-depth knowledge of cutting-edge principles, theories, concepts, and emerging technologies in project controls.

Regulatory Knowledge:

Proficient understanding of Laboratory policies, NASA regulations, and government compliance, with the ability to apply and communicate these effectively.

Independent Work:

Demonstrated ability to work independently, exercising wide latitude in determining objectives and approaches.

Tool Proficiency:

Proficiency in the following tools is highly desirable:

ACUMEN FUSE: Analyze schedules, perform forensic comparisons, and generate reports tailored to various audiences. Drill down through multiple levels schedule data tends to effectively pinpoint potential issues with project’s schedules and cost estimates

POWER BI: Transform and visualize schedule data to provide actionable insights. Generate dashboard to provide quick summarization of project performance containing various metrics.

EMPOWER (Encore Analytics): Utilize integrated cost/schedule analytics and dashboards to support data-driven decision-making.

Requirements

Typically requires a bachelor’s degree in business or related discipline with 15 years of related experience; master’s degree in similar disciplines with 13 years of related experience; or PhD in similar disciplines with 11 years related experience.

Knowledge and experience in one or more of the following areas: Project planning and control principles and standards, including cost estimation, budgeting, and scheduling; performance measurements, including earned value, as required for the planning and implementation of complex projects.

Proven leadership skills and ability to lead a high performing team.

Strong analytical skills to assess situations, define problems, formulate solutions, make recommendations, and suggest options for corrective action.

Demonstrated ability to meet rapidly changing project needs and manage competing priorities.

Strong leadership ability and proficiency in decision making and delegation, communication, time management, problem solving, and strategic leadership.

Excellent oral and written communication skills; proficiency in writing concise, logical, informative, and grammatically correct correspondence, reports, and other written material to explain complex problems, policies, and procedures.

Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively and communicate with others the Division and Section's directives and strategy; skilled in working as part of a team and maintaining cooperative working relationships with administrators, division management, and peers.

Preferred Qualifications

Thorough knowledge of Laboratory policies and procedures, applicable prime contract requirements, NASA procedural requirements, and government regulations across a range of applications.

Prior experience leading and supporting teams related to process improvement.

Ability to serve as the Business Representative on NASA Standing Review Boards

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. Hiring range for this job may be adjusted based on primary work location outside of Pasadena, California. This adjusted range will be provided to candidates by the Recruiter when applicable.

The typical full time equivalent annual hiring range for this job in Pasadena, California.

JPL is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, race, color, religion, national origin, citizenship, ancestry, age, marital status, physical or mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, pregnancy or perceived pregnancy, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, protected military or veteran status or any other characteristic or condition protected by Federal, state or local law.

In addition, JPL is a VEVRAA Federal Contractor.

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The Jet Propulsion Laboratory is a federal facility. Due to rules imposed by NASA, JPL will not accept applications from citizens of designated countries or those born in a designated country unless they are U.S. Citizens, Legal Permanent Residents of the U.S or have other protected status under 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3). The Designated Countries List is available here.