Associate Administrator for Commercial Space Transportation

Summary

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is where innovation meets purpose. We ensure the safety and efficiency of the nation's aerospace system, overseeing air traffic, advancing cutting-edge aviation technologies, and shaping the future of flight. Our mission is to deliver the safest, most efficient aerospace system in the world. Join a team where your work has real impact, your ideas drive progress, and your career helps keep millions moving safely every day.

Duties

The Associate Administrator for Commercial Space Transportation regulates the Unites States' (U.S.) commercial space transportation industry, and ensures compliance with international obligations of the U.S. and protects the public health and safety, safety of property, and national security and foreign policy interests of the U.S.; encourages, facilitates and promotes commercial space launches and reentries by the private sector; recommends appropriate changes in Federal statutes, treaties, regulations, policies, plans and procedures; and facilitates the strengthening and expansion of the U.S. space transportation infrastructure. The Associate Administrator reports directly to the Deputy Administrator and executes the role of the position via a highly technical workforce of approximately 120 employees to include three Executives and the administration of an annual operational and research budget of approximately $40M. Provides leadership, direction, management, and coordination of the Agency's commercial space transportation programs to ensure the health and facilitate the growth of the U.S. commercial space transportation industry. Manages and exercises executive and technical direction for licensing, regulatory, and space policy activities and initiatives, including direct oversight on safety review and evaluation of applicant safety organization; system safety processes; flight safety analysis; quantitative risk criteria for launch, reentry, and vehicle disposal; and national security, foreign policy interests, and international obligations affecting the United States. Oversees and facilitates the establishment of national policies, standards, and procedures for the operation, infrastructure, and competitive viability of the Federal role in commercial space transportation in alignment with President Trump's National Space Transportation Policy, Executive Order 14335 (Enabling Competition in the Commercial Space Industry), and Executive Order 14369 (Ensuring American Space Superiority). Coordinates policy positions with the Strategy and Engagement Organization to develop commercial space policy recommendations to the Administrator and Deputy Administrator. Supervises and provides functional executive direction to subordinate offices with responsibilities that include: development and maintenance of the commercial space Enforcement Program; compliance with the Commercial Space Launch Act, the Commercial Space Transportation Licensing Regulations in Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Chapter III, and the terms and conditions set forth in licensing; safety inspections conducted before, during and after a launch or reentry, and in the event of a mishap during the investigation; and development of Airspace Management Plans for each space operation. Advises the FAA Deputy Administrator on matters concerning the scope, content, emphasis, and direction of regulatory and certification programs, goals and policies (including those related to commercial space transportation, space policy, and research and development) and relationships with external elements and activities. Reviews and evaluates program performance to keep the Deputy Administrator informed concerning how effectively program goals are being met. Recommends action to correct deficiencies and improve program performance. Advises Congress on legislative changes necessary for the FAA to pursue stated commercial space transportation, infrastructure, and policy goals. Represents the Administrator and Deputy Administrator on commercial space programs and activities to both internal and external audiences, including at a technical level (e.g., outreach and collaboration during the lifecycle of a license application review process, Standards Development Organizations, Commercial Space Transportation Advisory Committee). Maintains close and continuous contact with representatives of Congress, other Federal organizations, state entities, commercial space industry, and the domestic public, as well as various other domestic and foreign public and private organizations concerned with commercial space policies and programs to support the U.S. as a global leader in the commercial space industry. Oversees an annual budget of approximately $40M and provides executive direction of a geographically dispersed organization, including executives and senior employees. Responsible for efficient management and safeguarding of resources and assuring internal controls meet agency standards. Responsible for ensuring employees can effectively contribute to the accomplishment of FAA goals and objectives and shared service non-FAA customer goals and objectives.

Qualifications

To meet the minimum qualifications of this position, you must clearly articulate and describe within your two (2) page resume evidence that you possess the Executive Leadership Dimensions (ELDs) and Mandatory Technical Requirements (TRs) related to this position. Your resume should include examples of experience and accomplishments applicable to the qualifications. Applicants who do not possess these criteria are ineligible for further consideration. Please do not submit separate documents addressing the Technical Requirements (TRs) and Executive Leadership Dimensions (ELDs), only your two (2) page resume will be accepted and considered. MANDATORY TECHNICAL REQUIREMENTS (TRs): TR 1: Demonstrated leadership experience overseeing a complex commercial space transportation program with national impact. TR 2: Demonstrated leadership experience applying commercial space-related scientific or engineering principles, including, but not limited to: (1) aerospace vehicle systems (e.g., flight dynamics, propulsion, maintenance/inspections, satellite technology), (2) system safety and quality assurance, structural, mechanical or software engineering, (3) U.S. launch sites and ranges infrastructure development, and/or (4) space transportation analysis (e.g., applicable standards and safety). EXECUTIVE LEADERSHIP DIMENSIONS (ELDs) ELD 1: Commitment to the Rule of Law and the Principles of the American Founding - This ELD requires a demonstrated knowledge of the American system of government, commitment to uphold the Constitution and the rule of law, and commitment to serve the American people. ELD 2: Driving Efficiency - This ELD involves the demonstrated ability to strategically and efficiently manage resources, budget effectively, cut wasteful spending, and pursue efficiency through process and technological upgrades. ELD 3: Merit and Competence - This ELD involves the demonstrated knowledge, ability, and technical competence to effectively and reliably produce work that is of exceptional quality. ELD 4: Leading People - This ELD involves the demonstrated ability to lead and inspire a group toward meeting the organization's vision, mission, and goals, and to drive a high-performance, high-accountability culture. This includes, when necessary, the ability to lead people through change and to hold individuals accountable. ELD 5: Achieving Results - This ELD involves the demonstrated ability to achieve both individual and organizational results, and to align results to stated goals from superiors. Note: Applicants who are current Officers or Executives (EV-1 or EV-2 level) of the FAA Executive System (FAAES), current Career Executives in the Senior Executive Service (SES) or equivalent system as evidenced by an interchange agreement between your agency and the Office of Personnel Mana