Director, Space Physics

The Director for Space Physics at Princeton provides senior leadership for NASA science missions, including the ~$750 million NASA IMAP mission that launched in September 2025. The Director leads a multi-institutional team of more than 50 engineers, technicians and software engineers to produce data for more than 100 scientists during the prime space-flight mission of a suite of ten scientific instruments. The Director provides both technical expertise and integrative leadership for this international team.

Space Physics at Princeton is a collaboration of over a dozen researchers and engineers led by a Professor of Astrophysical Sciences who is also Principal Investigator (PI) of numerous NASA instruments and missions. The Space Physics Laboratory is a cutting-edge laboratory that simultaneously supports the development of NASA flight hardware and the educational mission of training the next generation of space scientists and engineers at Princeton University. The Director reports to the Executive Director for Space Physics with secondary reporting to the PI.

The successful candidate is an experienced engineer with technical proficiency in the aerospace industry who is also able to drive operational improvements across science, engineering, operations, data processing, and institutional stakeholders. This individual will be responsible for several areas of high-visibility NASA-sponsored programs. This role combines strategic program leadership with hands-on technical insight across spaceflight instruments, mission operations, science data systems, and the communication of research discoveries.

This is a 3-year term position, with the potential for extension.

Why This Role Matters

• Lead programs with international scientific impact
• Collaborate with world-class researchers, engineers, and government agency leaders
• Contribute directly to the long-term success of research at Princeton
• Work within a mission-driven group that is dedicated to discovery and education with a visible public impact

• Lead the Science Data System (SDS) for the IMAP mission by overseeing technical performance, schedule, and risk management of more than 50 external mission partners to create the science data system that transforms low-level data products from the spacecraft payload into high-level science data products that scientists can use for analysis and publications of their results.
• As the SDS Lead, interface directly with hundreds of scientists from over 25 institutions from around the world to understand their requirements for the data analysis and visualization tools. Build consensus around key requirements from the disparate group of scientists and promote effective resolutions that will be implemented across the mission.
• As the SDS Lead, implement the scientists’ objectives by leading the developers across a dozen institutions to develop the processing algorithms for the IMAP data. Oversee the cloud-computing software developers who architect the infrastructure to run the processing algorithms through a complex web of interdependencies to efficiently produce validated data products at each required level. After the mission data has been validated by the scientists, authorize the public release of the data to the scientific community and fulfill the contractual delivery of the science data to the NASA Planetary Data System Archive.
• As the SDS Lead, advance access to the IMAP science data within the project team, out to the larger scientific community, and forward to the future generations of scientists who will use the data in the NASA Archives. 
• Oversee the Space Instrument Engineering team who work in our world-class laboratory to develop and test spaceflight hardware within the framework of the rigorous requirements set by NASA.
• Lead System Engineering for in-flight space operations by supporting spacecraft operations on multiple programs with external mission partners.
• Participate in program reviews, readiness assessments, and key decision forums.
• Ensure implementation of best practices in systems engineering, mission assurance, and program execution.
• Lead Communications for the PI Office by serving as a senior institutional representative to the NASA Communications Office, mission directorates, funding agencies, and partner organizations.
• Direct a range of efforts across media platforms and events for the general public that translate complex NASA science mission results and share scientific discoveries in the areas of Astrophysics and Heliophysics.
• Promote strategic development of current and future missions by developing strong relationships with sponsors and collaborators across government, industry, and academia.

Essential Qualifications:

• Master’s degree in system engineering, aerospace engineering, astronautics or closely related field or the equivalent of professional experience in a related industry with a bachelor’s degree
• Demonstrated technical proficiency in a relevant engineering field
• Strong background in space mission lifecycles, from formulation through operations, or experience with comparable large-scale engineering programs
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with experience briefing senior leadership and funding agencies
• Proven ability to lead complex technical programs, including risk management

Preferred Qualifications:

• Familiarity with NASA governance, review processes, and mission assurance frameworks
• Experience as a Project Manager or Deputy Project Manager
• Record of technical publications, patents, or mission-enabling innovations
• Knowledge of the University and passion for promoting science and technology

Princeton University is an Equal Opportunity Employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

The University considers factors such as (but not limited to) scope and responsibilities of the position, candidate's qualifications, work experience, education/training, key skills, market, collective bargaining agreements as applicable, and organizational considerations when extending an offer. The posted salary range represents the University's good faith and reasonable estimate for a full-time position; salaries for part-time positions are pro-rated accordingly.

If the salary range on the posted position shows an hourly rate, this is the baseline; the actual hourly rate may be higher, depending on the position and factors listed above.

The University also offers a comprehensive benefit program to eligible employees. Please see this link for more information.