UPWARDS Program Manager

Job Description The UPWARDS (University Partnership for Workforce Advancement and Research & Development in Semiconductors) program is a large-scale, multi-university initiative involving five U.S. and five Japanese partner institutions. The program focuses on advancing semiconductor, microelectronics, and chip research, education, and workforce development, supported by the National Science Foundation (NSF) and industry partners including Micron and Tokyo Electron Limited (TEL). UPWARDS integrates research, education, and workforce pipelines through multiple coordinated programs, including: UPWARDS IEEE Micro-credential Program: Development and implementation of modular, industry-aligned credential programs to enhance workforce readiness in microelectronics, chips, and computing system domains. UPWARDS TechTrek High School Summer Camp: A series of two-week day camp program with each session host up to 50 high school students, featuring hands-on laboratory experience in AI, Chip, and Internet of Things (IoT), and exposure to engineering pathways. Year-round Academic and Workforce Development Activities: Workshops, outreach programs, industry engagement events, and cross-institutional collaborations with U.S. and Japanese partners. This position is critical to ensuring integration across these components, as well as alignment with sponsors’ reporting requirements and workforce development goals. The Program Manager will play a key leadership role in research, program evaluation, and operational management across UPWARDS initiatives. The position is responsible for: Designing and conducting evaluation on the education and workforce development outcomes; Managing operations for the IEEE Micro-credential Program, summer camps, and year-round programming. The role requires close collaboration with faculty leaders, partner universities (U.S. and Japan), industry sponsors, and NSF program leadership, and serves as a key coordination point for program execution and impact assessment. Required Qualifications Bachelor's degree in engineering, education, or related field; or equivalent experience. Experience in program management, research evaluation, or workforce development initiatives. Demonstrated communication, organizational, and interpersonal skills. Ability to manage complex, multi-stakeholder programs. Preferred Qualifications Master's degree in engineering, education, or related field. Experience in engineering education, STEM outreach, or workforce development programs. Experience with certificate and credential programs (e.g., IEEE micro-credentials or similar frameworks). Pay Band 5 Salary Information Starting at $35/hour. Overtime Status Non-Exempt: Eligible for overtime Appointment Type Restricted Hours per week 20-29 Review Date 08/19/2026 Additional Information The successful candidate will be required to have a criminal conviction check. About Virginia Tech Dedicated to its motto, Ut Prosim (That I May Serve), Virginia Tech pushes the boundaries of knowledge by taking a hands-on, transdisciplinary approach to preparing scholars to be leaders and problem-solvers. A comprehensive land-grant institution that enhances the quality of life in Virginia and throughout the world, Virginia Tech is an inclusive community dedicated to knowledge, discovery, and creativity. The university offers more than 280 majors to a diverse enrollment of more than 36,000 undergraduate, graduate, and professional students in eight undergraduate colleges, a school of medicine, a veterinary medicine college, Graduate School, and Honors College. 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