Assistant Director, Texas A&M Space Institute

About the role

The Assistant Director, under direction, provides leadership for daily operations and administrative processes, facilitates tenant needs, and provides programmatic support for the Texas A&M University Space Institute in Houston. This position serves as the primary on-site representative of the Institute and ensures strong alignment between Houston based activities and Texas A&M leadership in College Station.

Responsibilities

• Assists the Director, Associate Director, and Institute leadership by directing, coordinating, and executing operational and program activities aligned with strategic priorities.
• Serves as the primary on-site leader in Houston, acting on behalf of Institute leadership in meetings, initiatives, and decision-making as appropriate.
• Builds and sustains relationships with tenants and partners and facilitates their needs.
• Supervises and develops a small team of Institute personnel.
• Oversees and approves daily activities, schedules, and priorities of Institute staff and tenants.
• Manages administrative processes, workflows, and operational systems.
• Travels between Houston and College Station to ensure close coordination of Institute staff.
• Oversees facility readiness, safety, space utilization, hiring and contracts.
• Interfaces with statewide university leadership and researchers, government officials, state agencies, and industry executives.
• Seeks additional business opportunities and cultivates partnerships for the Institute.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in applicable field or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Six years of related experience.

Qualifications

• Candidates with a Ph.D. are highly encouraged to apply.
• A Master’s degree in a STEM-related field is helpful.
• Relevant professional experience in conducting aerospace operations and research.
• Experience in leading spaceflight hardware development teams.
• Preference for experience in analog field testing.
• Experience in forming partnerships across industry, government, and academia.
• Experience with NASA, human spaceflight, and surface exploration.
• Experience supervising teams and managing complex facilities, equipment, and operations.
• Experience in higher education, research institutes, or technology-driven environments.
• Knowledge of forming a new aerospace team.

Skills

Proactive, hands-on, and collaborative leader with a strong space research background who contributes directly to execution, partnership development, and Institute growth.

Benefits

Competitive medical insurance benefits through Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas and Prescription coverage by Express Scripts. Options for Vision, Dental, Life, and Long-Term Disability insurance. A defined benefit retirement plan with the Teacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS) with 8.25% employer contribution. Additional Voluntary Retirement Programs: Tax Deferred Account 403(b) and a Deferred Compensation Program 457(b). Flexible spending account options for medical and childcare expenses. Generous paid time off with holidays, vacation and sick leave. Robust free training access through LinkedIn Learning plus professional development opportunities. Tuition assistance and Educational release time to further your academic pursuits. Access to Engineer Your Wellness programs that provide opportunities for employees to engage in health and fitness. Wellness release time offered to employees to promote work/life balance.

Pay

Commensurate with experience

Schedule

N/A