Program Director, Engineering Design and Systems Engineering (EDSE)

Division: Civil, Mechanical and Manufacturing Innovation (ENG/CMMI)
Directorate: Engineering (ENG)
Job Type:
STEM
Appointment Type:
Temporary / Rotator
This job is open to the public

Application timeline

Date Posted:
Closing date: Open until filled

Position Description

The Division of Civil, Mechanical and Manufacturing Innovation (CMMI) announces a nationwide search to fill the Program Director position for the Engineering Design and Systems Engineering (EDSE) program.

NSF Program Directors have an unparalleled opportunity and responsibility to ensure that NSF-funded research is at the forefront of advancing fundamental knowledge. Within NSF, they work independently to manage their programs and cooperatively to help foster cross-cutting initiatives, such as those that bridge other NSF programs and directorates. Beyond NSF, Program Directors interact extensively with academic research communities, industry and other government agencies, both in the US and abroad. The EDSE program has a long and continuing tradition of productive engagement in all of these activities.

The Engineering Design and Systems Engineering (EDSE) program supports fundamental research across the foundations of engineering design and systems engineering. It covers a broad range of disciplines that all contribute to the design of engineered systems that are increasingly complex, integrated, and interactive as demanded by advanced technologies and emerging societal imperatives. The EDSE program, having been recently reorganized, is poised to increase its scope and reach across the design research and system science spectrum and play an important part in NSF's initiative to foster convergent research across disciplines. The successful candidate will be able to foster engagement with new research communities that have an important stake in the EDSE enterprise.

The position recruited under this announcement will be filled under the following appointment option(s):

Intergovernmental Personnel Act (IPA) Assignment: Individuals eligible for an IPA assignment with a Federal agency include employees of State and local government agencies or institutions of higher education, Indian tribal governments, and other eligible organizations in instances where such assignments would be of mutual benefit to the organizations involved. Initial assignments under IPA provisions may be made for a period up to two years, with a possible extension for up to an additional two-year period. The individual remains an employee of the home institution and NSF provides the negotiated funding toward the assignee's salary and benefits. Initial IPA assignments are made for a one-year period and may be extended by mutual agreement. 

It is NSF policy that NSF personnel employed at or IPAs detailed to NSF are not permitted to participate in foreign government talent recruitment programs.  Failure to comply with this NSF policy could result in disciplinary action up to and including removal from Federal Service or termination of an IPA assignment and referral to the Office of Inspector General. https://www.nsf.gov/careers/Definition-of-Foreign-Talent-HRM.pdf.

Applications will be accepted from U.S. Citizens. Recent changes in Federal Appropriations Law require Non-Citizens to meet certain eligibility criteria to be considered. Therefore, Non-Citizens must certify eligibility by signing and attaching this Citizenship Affidavit to their application. Non-Citizens who do not provide the affidavit at the time of application will not be considered eligible. Non-Citizens are not eligible for positions requiring a security clearance.

To ensure compliance with an applicable preliminary nationwide injunction, which may be supplemented, modified, or vacated, depending on the course of ongoing litigation, the Federal Government will take no action to implement or enforce the COVID-19 vaccination requirement pursuant to Executive Order 14043 on Requiring Coronavirus Disease 2019 Vaccination for Federal Employees. Federal agencies may request information regarding the vaccination status of selected applicants for the purposes of implementing other workplace safety protocols, such as protocols related to masking, physical distancing, testing, travel, and quarantine.

Candidates must have a Ph.D. in an appropriate engineering field, plus after award of the degree, six or more years of successful research, research administration, and/or managerial experience pertinent to the position.

In addition, familiarity with NSF in general, and the EDSE program in particular, is highly desirable, as is experience working in interdisciplinary teams and engaging in engineering design and systems engineering research. Effective oral and written communication skills are essential, as is a strong commitment to the highest standards of ethical conduct. The EDSE program is part of a cluster of programs that together support fundamental research in design, operation, optimization and control to advance the complex engineered and socio-technical systems critical to society. As such, the EDSE Program Director will be expected to work cooperatively with other cluster programs (Civil Infrastructure System (CIS), Humans, Disasters and the Built Environment (HDBE), and Operations Engineering (OE)) as well as across the agency. Experience working across disciplinary boundaries is highly desired.

The position requires effective oral and written communication skills, and familiarity with NSF programs and activities is highly desirable. The candidate is expected to function effectively as a member of crosscutting and interactive teams as well as an individual contributor. The candidate must also demonstrate a capability to work across government agencies to promote NSF activities and to leverage program funds through interagency collaborations.

A description of the EDSE program is provided on the program webpage: Engineering Design and Systems Engineering (EDSE) program.

To apply, email a single PDF document that includes (i) a cover letter outlining qualifications for the position (ii) a curriculum vitae, (iii) and Citizen affidavit, as applicable, to the search committee chair, Dr. Georgia-Ann Klutke (gaklutke@nsf.gov). Formal consideration of interested applications will begin on March 15, 2019 and will continue until a selection is made. The intended start date is July 2019.