Assistant Director, Texas A&M Space Institute

Job Title Assistant Director, Texas A&M Space Institute Agency Texas A&M Engineering Department Space Institute Proposed Minimum Salary Commensurate Job Location Houston, Texas Job Type Staff Job Description Why work for Texas A&M Engineering? Engineering has been part of Texas A&M University since its opening in 1876 as the Agricultural and Mechanical College of Texas. Today, the College of Engineering is the largest college on the College Station campus with more than 25,000 engineering students enrolled in 15 departments. Its mission is to serve Texas, the nation and the global community by providing engineering graduates who are well-founded in engineering fundamentals, instilled with the highest standards of professional and ethical behavior, and prepared to meet the complex technical challenges of society. As the research arm of Engineering, the Texas A&M Engineering Experiment Station (TEES) is a state agency within the Texas A&M University System with a mission to improve lives through basic and applied engineering research, workforce development and technology transition. Our collaborations with industry, academia and government provide cutting‑edge solutions to global technical challenges. We are deeply committed to recruiting and retaining a talented workforce that embraces our core values of Respect, Excellence, Leadership, Loyalty, Integrity, and Service, by offering competitive salaries, an array of benefits, an extensive support network, and above all, an enriching and highly collaborative working community that is deeply passionate about our vision for higher education, research, and public service. 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. The Assistant Director works closely with the Director and Associate Director to implement strategic initiatives and plays a central role in building partnerships, supporting a large tenant ecosystem, and advancing engagement with NASA, government agencies, and industry collaborators. This role requires a proactive, hands‑on, and collaborative leader with a strong space research background who contributes directly to execution, partnership development, and Institute growth. 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. What We Need Bachelor’s degree in applicable field or equivalent combination of education and experience. Six years of related experience. What Is Helpful Candidates with a Ph.D are highly encouraged to apply. Master’s degree in a STEM‑related field. 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. Additional Information Job posting will close July 15th. Interviews will begin tentatively around July 20th; if selected please ensure availability for this timeframe. Position will have an anticipated hire date of August 16th. Work Location Houston, TX. About The Texas A&M Space Institute The Texas A&M University Space Institute will advance commercial, government, military, and academic research and development partnerships in support of national and international space endeavors. With a $200 million investment from the State of Texas, a 400,000 square foot facility is under construction at NASA‑Johnson Space Center's Exploration Park. This unique facility, featuring the world’s largest indoor climate‑controlled landscapes to emulate surface operations on the moon and Mars, is expected to open in the fall of 2026 and will support space system research, testing, training, and workforce development initiatives. 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. Required Materials for Application Resume/CV. Three work references with their contact information; at least one reference should be from a supervisor/former supervisor. Letter of interest. Employment Eligibility Verification If hired, you will be required to complete the federal Employment Eligibility Verification I-9 form. You will be required to present acceptable and original documents to prove your identity and authorization to work in the United States. Documents must be presented no later than the third day of employment. Failure to do so will result in a delay of start date. All positions are security‑sensitive. Applicants are subject to a criminal history investigation, and employment is contingent upon the institution’s verification of credentials and/or other information required by the institution’s procedures, including the completion of the criminal history check. Equal Opportunity/Veterans/Disability Employer. #J-18808-Ljbffr Texas A&M Engineering Experiment Station (TEES)