Summary
Description
The Deputy Director of Technology is a senior member of the LASP leadership team, serving as the deputy to the Senior Director of Technology across a division of 300+ professional and student employees. This role is responsible for workforce leadership and cross-divisional coordination. The Deputy provides strategic direction to the functional departments within the Technology division and ensures the division’s people, resources, and operations are aligned to deliver project and mission success. The Deputy acts on behalf of the Senior Director of Technology as needed.
CU is an Equal Opportunity Employer and complies with all applicable federal, state, and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment. We are committed to creating a workplace where all individuals are treated with respect and dignity, and we encourage individuals from all backgrounds to apply, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.
Who We Are
Founded a decade before NASA, the Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space Physics (LASP) at the University of Colorado Boulder is revolutionizing human understanding of the cosmos. LASP is deeply committed to inspiring and educating the next generation of space explorers. From enabling the first exploratory rocket measurements of Earth’s upper atmosphere to trailblazing observations of every planet in the solar system, LASP is at the forefront of solar, planetary and space physics research, space-weather monitoring, and the search for evidence of habitable worlds.
LASP advances scientific discovery and inspires the next generation through research, innovation, and education in space sciences. We employ over 700 scientists, engineers, support personnel, and students that work closely to cultivate creative ideas and explore novel solutions to make the impossible possible.
LASP is dedicated to building and maintaining a unique synergism of expertise in space science, engineering, and spacecraft operations. Through research projects, LASP participates actively in the training of the future leaders of space research and helps the University of Colorado to educate students with valued technical and scientific skills. Development and use of innovative technologies and continuing participation in new research initiatives ensures a strong leadership role for LASP into the future. LASP is proud of our work environment that supports employee creativity and productivity and offers opportunities for a broad range of experiences. Further information about LASP can be found here: https://lasp.colorado.edu/home/ .
Responsibilities
What Your Key Responsibilities Will Be
Strategic Leadership
- In partnership with the Senior Director of Technology, provide strategic leadership and direction to all functional departments within the Technology division, advancing LASP’s position as a leader in aerospace and scientific research.
- Represent the Technology division in lab-wide leadership forums and serve as acting division head in the Senior Director’s absence.
- Serve as a senior technical authority for the division, supporting system-level design decisions, trade studies, lessons learned, and anomaly investigations that span both ground and space segment elements of space missions.
- Oversee a broad portfolio of spacecraft and space instrument operations centers, ensuring operational excellence, resource alignment, and mission continuity.
- With the Senior Director and Technical Division subject matter experts, oversee the design, development, and testing of spaceflight systems, ensuring mission success.
- Establish and maintain relationships across the Science division to ensure appropriate and equitable allocation of technical resources for non-flight and science-led projects.
- Coordinate with the Director of Projects to regularly assess project staffing needs and fulfill accordingly.
Workforce Management
- Lead workforce planning for the Technology division, including hiring needs, workforce mix analysis, skill gap identification, and long-term staffing strategy.
- Lead, mentor, and facilitate career development and growth of technical personnel across all levels.
- Develop and mentor senior staff members to build leadership depth and succession in the division.
- Drive a culture of engagement and professional excellence that supports retention and long-term workforce health.
- Address personnel matters within the division, including performance management, conflict resolution, and corrective action, in partnership with Human Resources.
Resource Management
- Oversee management of laboratory space and more than $50 million worth of capital equipment, including planning for maintenance, utilization, and long-term investment.
- Partner with the Senior Director of Technology on operating budget oversight, resource allocation, and financial planning for the division.
- Partner with the Director of Projects, Project Managers, and other project leads to ensure project success by identifying and providing the resources those projects need (personnel, facilities, hardware and software tools, and equipment).
- Other duties as assigned
What You Should Know
- Due to requirements to access export-controlled data and information, only U.S. citizens, lawful permanent residents (green card holders), or other protected individuals (i.e., persons designated as an asylee, refugee, or temporary resident under amnesty provisions) may apply.
- This role requires an onsite presence of 4 days per week.
What We Can Offer
- $234,900 – $277,700 per year.
- Relocation assistance may be available for this position.
Benefits
At the University of Colorado Boulder , we are committed to supporting the holistic health and well-being of our employees. Our comprehensive benefits package includes medical, dental, and retirement plans; generous paid time off; tuition assistance for you and your dependents; and an ECO Pass for local transit. As one of Boulder County’s largest employers, CU Boulder offers an inspiring academic community and access to world-class outdoor recreation. Explore additional perks and programs through the CU Advantage program.
Be Statements
Be ambitious. Be groundbreaking. Be Boulder.
What We Require
- Bachelor’s degree in engineering or related field.
- Extensive leadership experience in engineering roles.
- Proven track record in strategic planning and execution.
- Demonstrated experience in the full lifecycle of space flight projects or programs, from concept through launch and operations.
- Strong financial management skills.
- Experience in external relations and communication.
- Technical expertise in aerospace systems and technologies.
What You Will Need
- In-depth understanding of aerospace regulations and industry best practices.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
- Ability to lead and motivate a diverse team.
- Demonstrated ability in personnel and team management.
What We Would Like You To Have
- Advanced degree in engineering or related field.
- Working knowledge of US export regulations (ITAR/EAR) as applied to spaceflight hardware and technical data.
- Experience in government and industry relations.
- Experience operating within a university research environment or other soft-money research institution, including familiarity with academic research culture and sponsored-project management.
- Familiarity with NASA program management and mission assurance frameworks.
Special Instructions
To Apply, Please Submit The Following Materials
- Resume or CV.
- Cover Letter.
(Optional) Transcripts/Proof of Degree: If you are selected as the finalist, your degree will be verified by the CU Boulder Campus Human Resources Department using an approved online vendor. However, if your degree was obtained outside of the United States, please submit an English-translated version as an Optional document.
Please apply by 6/25/2026 for consideration.
Note: Application materials will not be accepted via email. For consideration, applications must be submitted through CU Boulder Jobs.
In compliance with the Colorado Job Application Fairness Act, in any materials you submit, you may redact or remove age-identifying information such as age, date of birth, or dates of school attendance or graduation. You will not be penalized for redacting or removing this information.
