Director Planetary Science Division, NASA Headquarters
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Category: Science management Institution: National Aeronautics and Space Administration Location: Washington, DC, USA Work arrangement: in person Salary: $210,812 - $217,332 |
Number of positions: 1 Application deadline: 2026-07-30 Reference code: HQ-26-ES-12941266 Inquiries: Agency-Executive-Staffing@mail.nasa.gov Posted: 2026-07-02 Posted by: 0000-0001-9790-2972 |
Job Description
The Director Planetary Science Division:
- Establishes guidance and objectives as a basis for the planning and formulation of a national program in planetary science, including technology development, planetary mission development, mission operations, and data analysis.
- Directs the planning and implementation of a balanced national planetary science program that is responsive to the priorities of the of the scientific community as established through a rigorous Decadal Survey process.
- In concert with overall Science Mission Directorate (SMD) strategic planning, implements and manages a program for flight experiments and science investigations for solar system exploration.
- Develops budgets, policies, and priorities for the planetary science programs, including providing scientific and technical leadership required to guide implementation of relevant programs with the university community, private industry, NASA Centers, other government research laboratories, and Federally Funded Research and Development Centers.
- Ensures an effective program of research and analysis of planetary science data and dissemination of results to the public and to the scientific community through scientific publications, symposia, colloquia, press releases, and press conferences.
- Serves as liaison with the scientific community through advisory committees, working groups, and other entities such as the National Academy of Sciences; coordinates the requirements of the Planetary Science studies with the international community and other Federal agencies.
- Prepares rationale and justification to support the annual budget request for programs in the Planetary Science Division.
- In coordination with other SMD Divisions, develops and presents periodic reviews and reporting, including weekly, monthly, and quarterly project and program reviews, as required.
- Formulates future programs and develops a feasible strategy for the implementation of these programs that is consistent with available resources, in conjunction with a robust technology development program coordinated with the other Divisions within SMD.