Description
The Civil Group at Leidos is seeking a highly motivated and experienced Mission Planning Section Manager, supporting NASA on the Cargo Mission Contract (CMC). This position leads a dynamic team supporting hardware mission planning, manifesting, and on-orbit operations tracking (consumables, stowage, disposal) for NASA’s International Space Station (ISS) and Artemis spaceflight programs. This role is integral to the success of human spaceflight missions, ensuring that critical hardware and resources are properly planned, manifested, tracked, delivered, and returned of in support of long-duration missions to Low Earth Orbit and beyond.
Primary Responsibilities:
- Lead and manage a diverse team responsible for:
- Launch and return mission manifesting
- Launch and return hardware planning and analytical assessment
- Physical execution of packing plans for spaceflight
- Tracking and analysis of consumables, disposal, and stowage for on-orbit operations
- Develop and maintain integrated processes and tools to support efficient hardware and resource management.
- Coordinate with NASA, international partners (e.g., ESA, JAXA), and commercial providers to align strategies across multiple missions and timelines.
- Provide technical direction and oversight of manifesting, mission planning, operations analysis, and flight hardware processing, including resolving issues related to schedule, quality, and resources.
- Represent the organization in mission readiness reviews, manifest boards, and high-level integration meetings.
- Ensure compliance with NASA requirements, standards, and safety protocols.
- Foster team development, manage personnel performance, and support hiring and training efforts.
- Faciliate cross-functional collaboration by working closely with S&MA, Finance, Procurement, Engineering, and Program Management to support operational goals.
- Participate in strategic planning and provide insights on process improvements, risk mitigation, and resource optimization.
Required Education and Experience:
- Bachelor’s degree with at least 5 years of prior relevant experience or 5 additional years of relevant experience in lieu of degree, with at least 3 years in a leadership or managerial role.
- Strong understanding of the International Space Station and Artemis planning and logistics processes.
- Proven ability to lead cross-functional teams in a dynamic and high-stakes environment.
- Exceptional organizational, communication, and problem-solving skills.
- Proficiency in tools such as Microsoft Project, Excel, PowerPoint, inventory management systems, and NASA-specific planning tools
- Experience resolving complex and multi-dimensional problems
- Communicates with internal and external parties to agree upon concepts, practices and approaches to resolve issues on projects
- Knowledge of Lean/Six Sigma practices
- Self-motivated with proven interpersonal skills; supporting frequent interactions with internal and external stakeholders (e.g. Program and Customer personnel)
- Ability to build strong customer relationships and deliver solutions
- Strong business and financial acumen
- Ability to develop strategy, plan and prioritize work aligned to program/organization goals, and deliver solutions for the business
- Ability to build effective teams and talented team members
- Ability to consistently achieve results under tough circumstances and manage complex situations
- Prior experience using NASA/Leidos processes and software/tools
Preferred Qualifications:
- Prior experience working on NASA programs
- Shared document repository experience (using SharePoint)
- Experience working in a dynamic team environment, participating in process improvement initiatives and driving organizational culture changes
- Familiarity with cargo integration processes for visiting vehicles (Dragon, Cygnus, HTV, Orion, etc.).
- Understanding of Artemis logistics architecture and deep space mission planning.
- Occasional travel may be required to support program activities and client engagements.
Must be able to obtain a Public Trust Security Clearance; due to contract requirements, U.S. Citizenship or U.S. Permanent residency is required.
At Leidos, we don’t want someone who "fits the mold"—we want someone who melts it down and builds something better. This is a role for the restless, the over-caffeinated, the ones who ask, “what’s next?” before the dust settles on “what’s now.”
If you’re already scheming step 20 while everyone else is still debating step 2… good. You’ll fit right in.
Original Posting:
September 3, 2025
For U.S. Positions: While subject to change based on business needs, Leidos reasonably anticipates that this job requisition will remain open for at least 3 days with an anticipated close date of no earlier than 3 days after the original posting date as listed above.
Pay Range:
Pay Range $104,650.00 - $189,175.00
The Leidos pay range for this job level is a general guideline only and not a guarantee of compensation or salary. Additional factors considered in extending an offer include (but are not limited to) responsibilities of the job, education, experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities, as well as internal equity, alignment with market data, applicable bargaining agreement (if any), or other law.
