Job Details

New ideas are all around us, but only a few will change the world. That’s our focus at JPL. We ask the biggest questions, then search the universe for answers—literally. We build upon ideas that have guided generations, then share our discoveries to inspire generations to come. Your mission—your opportunity—is to seek out the answers that bring us one step closer. If you’re driven to discover, create, and inspire something that lasts a lifetime and beyond, you’re ready for JPL.

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 Facilities and Logistics Operations Division (6400) oversees the physical development, maintenance, and safe operation of the Laboratory’s infrastructure to enable advanced workplaces, resilient systems, and uninterrupted mission support. Within this division, the Facilities Engineering & Construction Section (641), which provides the planning, design, engineering, and construction services for the efficient and timely delivery of Facilities Construction Projects, is seeking a Facilities Project Manager IV to lead the end-to-end delivery of highly complex, high-visibility engineering and construction projects that modernize office environments, institutional infrastructure, and mission-critical laboratories, cleanrooms, and test integration spaces.

Reporting to the Facilities Project Management Group Supervisor in a core leadership capacity, you will exercise wide latitude and independent judgment while working in a close operational triad with internal staff in the Engineering & Design and Construction Management groups. You will direct multifaceted project teams, establish procurement and contracting strategies, support NASA Construction of Facilities (CoF) deliverables, and represent the Laboratory across NASA centers and industry partnerships.

Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Direct the complete lifecycle of complex engineering and construction projects from concept, feasibility, and ROM estimates through commissioning and closeout; prepare project packages supporting NASA CoF submissions, budget calls, and the JPL Master Plan.
• Work without appreciable direction under general guidance, exercising wide latitude and independent judgment to resolve complex engineering and operational challenges, evaluate precedential decisions, and authorize technical deviations.
• Serve as project manager coordinating internal section resources—partnering seamlessly with Engineering & Design (technical authorities and design criteria) and Construction Management (field oversight, safety, and inspection)—as well as institutional clients, environmental health and safety (EHS), and flight mission teams.
• Lead project scopes involving high- and medium-voltage distribution, site utility infrastructure, and specialized research facilities. Coordinate facility interfaces with mission and flight hardware requirements, including cleanroom protocols, environmental/thermal controls, EMI/EMC shielding, and cleanliness constraints.
• Partner with institutional acquisition personnel to establish optimal contracting strategies (Design-Bid-Build, Design-Build, Fixed-Price, Task-Order). Develop complex Statements of Work (SOWs) and RFP packages; generate Purchase Requests for fixed-price work and Subcontract Work Orders (SWOs) for task-order contractors; administer architect-engineer (A-E) task assignments, consultant agreements, and construction subcontracts.
• Establish and manage integrated baseline schedules, cost projections, and spend plans. Rigorously evaluate financial forecasts against earned progress, review and approve contractor invoice billings, resolve cost discrepancies, and lead change order negotiations.
• Conduct and direct comprehensive site investigations of existing buildings and utilities, evaluating structural/utility capacities, environmental hazards, and occupant impacts. Investigate on-site construction incidents, perform root-cause analysis, and author formal reports and corrective action plans.
• Inspect and monitor tenant improvement, renovation, and construction activities for conformance to plan, schedule, budget, and safety regulations. Establish and enforce comprehensive punch-lists, lead final acceptance walkthroughs, and verify non-conformance rectifications.
• Lead the operational "handshake" to maintenance and operations teams. Direct job closure through Service Request Control; ensure rigorous technical audit, verification, and archiving of contractor red-lines, A-E as-built documents, commissioning reports, and O&M manuals.
• Advise group and section leadership on project risks, resource allocation, and capital portfolio priorities. Form multidisciplinary project teams and actively mentor and coach early- and mid-career project managers and technical staff within the group.
• Represent JPL in regular interfaces with industry partners, architect-engineer firms, regulatory authorities, and other NASA centers.

 

Required Qualifications:

• Typically requires a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering, Electrical Engineering, Civil/Structural Engineering, Construction Management, Architecture, or a related discipline with a minimum of 9 years of related professional experience; or a master’s degree in a related discipline with 7 years of experience.
• Demonstrated track record directing major, highly complex engineering, infrastructure, and facility construction projects.
• Deep knowledge of diverse construction contracting methods (design-bid-build, design-build, fixed-price, task-order, time & materials) and procurement evaluation mechanisms (low-bid, best-value).
• Demonstrated expertise in budget forecasting, spend plan execution, and formal change control.
• In-depth working knowledge of building codes and regulatory mandates, including California Building Code (CBC), NFPA 70 / National Electrical Code (NEC), ADA requirements, and OSHA safety standards.
• Proven leadership forming, directing, and holding accountability for multidisciplinary project teams, consulting engineers, and multi-trade contractors.
• Excellent verbal, written, and presentation skills, with proven ability to author executive reports, negotiate contract disputes, and present technical/financial data to leadership and external partners.
• Must be a US Citizen.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Familiarity with NASA Construction of Facilities (CoF) processes and related documentation.
• Experience working in a Federal government, aerospace facility, or high-security laboratory setting.
• Experience delivering mission-critical and specialized environments: ISO cleanrooms, space flight assembly and test facilities, thermal-vacuum chambers, or high-reliability central utility plants.
• Subject matter familiarity with high-reliability power systems, medium-voltage distribution, standby generators, and uninterruptible power supply (UPS) systems.
• Knowledge of ITAR/EAR export control regulations and compliance considerations in active R&D facilities.
• Experience utilizing enterprise tools such as IBM TRIRIGA, Meridian, Bluebeam Revu, Microsoft Project, or Primavera P6.
• Professional certifications: Project Management Professional (PMP), Certified Construction Manager (CCM), DBIA, LEED AP, or professional engineering (PE) / architectural license.

Work Environment

This is an onsite-only position requiring frequent field visits across the JPL campus and facilities, including office environments, active construction sites, and operational facilities.

Occasional work during non-standard hours may be required to support critical project milestones and institutional operational needs.

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.

$146,536 - $184,704

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.

EEO is the Law.

EEO is the Law Supplement

Pay Transparency Nondiscrimination Provision

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.