Chief Technical Officer, Berkeley Air & Space Center

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We are looking for applicants who reflect California's diversity and want to be part of an inclusive, equity-focused community that views education as a matter of social justice. Please consider whether your values align with our Guiding Values and Principles , Principles of Community , and Strategic Plan .

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Departmental Overview

Berkeley Air & Space Center is a groundbreaking new innovation ecosystem and proposed 36-acre campus at NASA Research Park where academia, government mission agencies, global industry leaders, investors, entrepreneurs, and international partners come together to accelerate breakthroughs in air and space systems. The project will focus on becoming a world-class hub for dual-use innovation-uniting cutting-edge research with real-world capability delivery at one of the most strategically important federal research sites in the country, in the heart of Silicon Valley.


Position Summary

The Chief Technical Officer is the senior technical executive for Berkeley Air & Space Center and the primary architect of its research and capability-development agenda. Reporting to the Associate Provost, the CTO leads BSC's technical strategy, champions interdisciplinary research, and develops large, multi-institution, multi-million-dollar programs aligned with UC Berkeley strengths, NASA Ames mission domains, and national priorities.

This highly energetic, accomplished leader must bring deep technical credibility-especially with DARPA, NASA, DoD, national laboratories, and major research sponsors-and possess the ability to communicate inspiring ideas, rally diverse institutions, and secure significant funding.

This is a historic opportunity to help build a national-impact innovation district from the ground up, at the nexus of UC Berkeley excellence and NASA Ames research heritage.

Application Review Date

The minimum posting duration for this position is 14 calendar days. Applications will be considered until the job is filled.


Responsibilities

• Strategic Leadership- Lead BSC's technical strategy and long-term capability planning. Develop high-value, multi-institution federal proposals. Initiate new research thrusts aligned with UC Berkeley and NASA Ames priorities. Represent the Associate Provost in senior technical engagements.
• Analysis and Management - Conduct technical and policy analyses to inform BSC investments. Build and maintain technical roadmaps and performance metrics. Oversee research administration, budget development, and post-award operations. Evaluate technical feasibility and alignment of proposed initiatives.
• Communications and Outreach - Serve as BSC's authoritative technical spokesperson. Brief senior government, academic and industry leaders. Lead technical content development for communications, workshops and symposia. Coordinate research-focused events and interdisciplinary engagements.
• External Technical Leadership - Represent UC Berkeley at national forums, federal briefings and advisory panels. Maintain relationships with senior leaders at DARPA, NASA, DoD and national laboratories. Evaluate BSC's national visibility in dual-use innovation and advanced capability development.

Required Qualifications

• 12-15 years (or equivalent) of interdisciplinary professional experience in Deep Tech with strong business acumen, to specifically include experience with national security stakeholders
• Direct experience at DARPA, NASA, DoD, DOE/NNSA or a major national laboratory.
• Demonstrated ability to design and win large, complex, multi-million-dollar federal research programs.
• Experience in public speaking, and leading Executive level meetings, webinars, workshops, etc., and able to represent BSC internally and externally with superior interpersonal skills
• Track record in overseeing and leading individuals and teams (of at least 10 people) to smooth execution of multiple initiatives and projects
• Recognized technical leader with the ability to command the respect of UC Berkeley faculty and senior government sponsors.
• Strong collaborator with experience building and working with ecosystems and partner organizations.
• Exceptional communication skills and technical judgment.
• Demonstrated success leading interdisciplinary teams and large research portfolios
• A high-energy, proactive leadership style and the ability to execute in fast-paced environments.
• Doctorate in related area (engineering, computer science, aerospace, physics, materials science, robotics, etc.) and / or equivalent experience training.

Salary & Benefits

This is a full-time, career position that is eligible for full UC benefits. This position may be eligible for hybrid work within the United States. Exact arrangements are determined in partnership with the supervisor to meet role responsibilities and department needs and may be subject to change.

For information on the comprehensive benefits package offered by the University, please visit the University of California's Compensation & Benefits website.

Under California law, the University of California, Berkeley is required to provide a reasonable estimate of the compensation range for this role and should not offer a salary outside of the range posted in this job announcement. This range takes into account the wide range of factors that are considered in making compensation decisions including but not limited to experience, skills, knowledge, abilities, education, licensure and certifications, analysis of internal equity, and other business and organizational needs. It is not typical for an individual to be offered a salary at or near the top of the range for a position. Salary offers are determined based on final candidate qualifications and experience.

The budgeted annual salary range that the University reasonably expects to pay for this position is $200,000 to $257,000. The full range for this job classification is $155,900 - $310,900.


Other Information

This is not a visa opportunity. This position does not include sponsorship of a new consular H-1B visa petition that would require payment of the $100,000 supplemental fee.

How to Apply

To apply, please submit your resume and cover letter.


Conviction History Background

This is a designated position requiring fingerprinting and a background check due to the nature of the job responsibilities. Berkeley does hire people with conviction histories and reviews information received in the context of the job responsibilities. The University reserves the right to make employment contingent upon successful completion of the background check.


Misconduct Disclosure

As a condition of employment, the final candidate who accepts a conditional offer of employment will be required to disclose if they have been subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct; received notice of any allegations or are currently the subject of any administrative or disciplinary proceedings involving misconduct; have left a position after receiving notice of allegations or while under investigation in an administrative or disciplinary proceeding involving misconduct; or have filed an appeal of a finding of misconduct with a previous employer.

Misconduct means any violation of the policies or laws governing conduct at the applicant's previous place of employment, including, but not limited to, violations of policies or laws prohibiting sexual harassment, sexual assault, or other forms of harassment, discrimination, dishonesty, or unethical conduct, as defined by the employer. For reference, below are UC's policies addressing some forms of misconduct:

UC Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment Policy
UC Anti-Discrimination Policy
Abusive Conduct in the Workplace


Equal Employment Opportunity

The University of California is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, or other protected status under state or federal law.