Associate Administrator for Commercial Space Transportation

About the role

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is where innovation meets purpose. We ensure the safety and efficiency of the nation's aerospace system, overseeing air traffic, advancing cutting-edge aviation technologies, and shaping the future of flight. Our mission is to deliver the safest, most efficient aerospace system in the world.

Join a team where your work has real impact, your ideas drive progress, and your career helps keep millions moving safely every day.

What you will do

• The Associate Administrator for Commercial Space Transportation regulates the Unites States' (U.S.) commercial space transportation industry, and ensures compliance with international obligations of the U.S. and protects the public health and safety, safety of property, and national security and foreign policy interests of the U.S.; encourages, facilitates and promotes commercial space launches and reentries by the private sector; recommends appropriate changes in Federal statutes, treaties, regulations, policies, plans and procedures; and facilitates the strengthening and expansion of the U.S. space transportation infrastructure.
• The Associate Administrator reports directly to the Deputy Administrator and executes the role of the position via a highly technical workforce of approximately 120 employees to include three Executives and the administration of an annual operational and research budget of approximately $40M.
• Provides leadership, direction, management, and coordination of the Agency's commercial space transportation programs to ensure the health and facilitate the growth of the U.S. commercial space transportation industry.
• Manages and exercises executive and technical direction for licensing, regulatory, and space policy activities and initiatives, including direct oversight on safety review and evaluation of applicant safety organization; system safety processes; flight safety analysis; quantitative risk criteria for launch, reentry, and vehicle disposal; and national security, foreign policy interests, and international obligations affecting the United States.
• Oversees and facilitates the establishment of national policies, standards, and procedures for the operation, infrastructure, and competitive viability of the Federal role in commercial space transportation in alignment with President Trump's National Space Transportation Policy, Executive Order 14335 (Enabling Competition in the Commercial Space Industry), and Executive Order 14369 (Ensuring American Space Superiority).
• Coordinates policy positions with the Strategy and Engagement Organization to develop commercial space policy recommendations to the Administrator and Deputy Administrator.
• Supervises and provides functional executive direction to subordinate offices with responsibilities that include: development and maintenance of the commercial space Enforcement Program; compliance with the Commercial Space Launch Act, the Commercial Space Transportation Licensing Regulations in Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Chapter III, and the terms and conditions set forth in licensing; safety inspections conducted before, during and after a launch or reentry, and in the event of a mishap during the investigation; and development of Airspace Management Plans for each space operation.
• Advises the FAA Deputy Administrator on matters concerning the scope, content, emphasis, and direction of regulatory and certification programs, goals and policies (including those related to commercial space transportation, space policy, and research and development) and relationships with external elements and activities.
• Reviews and evaluates program performance to keep the Deputy Administrator informed concerning how effectively program goals are being met.
• Recommends action to correct deficiencies and improve program performance.
• Advises Congress on legislative changes necessary for the FAA to pursue stated commercial space transportation, infrastructure, and policy goals.
• Represents the Administrator and Deputy Administrator on commercial space programs and activities to both internal and external audiences, including at a technical level (e.g., outreach and collaboration during the lifecycle of a license application review process, Standards Development Organizations, Commercial Space Transportation Advisory Committee).
• Maintains close and continuous contact with representatives of Congress, other Federal organizations, state entities, commercial space industry, and the domestic public, as well as various other domestic and foreign public and private organizations concerned with commercial space policies and programs to support the U.S. as a global leader in the commercial space industry.
• Oversees an annual budget of approximately $40M and provides executive direction of a geographically dispersed organization, including executives and senior employees.
• Responsible for efficient management and safeguarding of resources and assuring internal controls meet agency standards.
• Responsible for ensuring employees can effectively contribute to the accomplishment of FAA goals and objectives and shared service non-FAA customer goals and objectives.

Requirements

• US Citizenship is required.
• If you are a male applicant born after December 31, 1959, certify that you have registered with the Selective Service System or are exempt from having to do so (see ***) This position is covered by the Department of Transportation's Drug and Alcohol Testing Program.
• Any applicant tentatively selected for this position will be subject to pre-employment or pre-appointment drug screening.
• Persons occupying a "testing designated position (TDP)" will be subject to random drug and/or alcohol testing.
• Complete a Declaration for Federal Employment to determine your suitability for Federal employment, at the time requested by the agency.
• You will be required to serve a one-year FAA Executive System (FAAES) probationary period unless you have previously completed a probationary period in either the FAAES or the Senior Executive Service (SES).
• You may be required to obtain and maintain an interim and/or final security clearance prior to entrance on duty.
• Failure to obtain and maintain the required level of clearance may result in the withdrawal of a job offer or removal.
• The person selected for this position may be required to file a financial disclosure statement within 30 days of entry on duty.
• FAA policy limits certain outside employment and financial investments in aviation-related companies. *** As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you may be required to serve a 1-year probationary period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest.
• In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider: your performance and conduct; the needs and interests of the agency; whether your continued employment would advance the organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service.
• Upon completion of your probationary period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.

Education

This position does not have an education requirement.

How you will be evaluated

Once the application process is complete, a review of your resume and supporting documentation will be conducted. If you possess the Executive Leadership Dimensions (ELDs) and Mandatory Technical Requirements (TRs) listed above, your application package may be further evaluated by an Executive Rating Panel.

Additionally, Hiring Managers may choose to interview highly qualified candidates via one or more interviews. IMPORTANT: Applicants may be rated on the extent and quality of experience, education, and training relevant to the duties of the position(s). All answers provided in the online process must be substantiated.

Ensure that your application package/resume supports your responses.

Documents you must provide

• Please carefully review the following list to determine what documentation you need to submit.
• RESUME: All applicants must submit a resume limited to two (2) pages.
• Eligibility and qualifications will be determined solely based on the information provided within this two-page resume.
• Your resume must include sufficient detail to validate your qualifications, including employment start and end dates (month/year), position titles, and full-time or part-time status (or average hours worked per week).
• It must clearly demonstrate your relevant experience and education as they relate to the position's requirements.
• SF-50: Current or former federal employees should submit an SF-50.
• PROOF OF NONCOMPETITIVE ELIGIBILITY (IF APPLICABLE): In order to receive noncompetitive consideration, applicants who are current Officers or Executives (EV-1 or EV-2 level) of the FAA Executive System (FAAES), current Career Senior Executive Service (SES) members, Executives within an SES equivalent system as evidenced by an interchange agreement between your agency and the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) that permits noncompetitive movement of employees between the SES and your agency, individuals certified through successful completion of an OPM-approved SES Candidate Development Program (SESCDP), or those with Career FAAES or SES reinstatement eligibility must provide documentation verifying eligibility for noncompetitive appointment to the FAAES (e.g., SF-50 or certification from OPM's SES Qualifications Review Board (QRB)).
• Failure to submit any required documents by the closing date will remove you from consideration.

Benefits

A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Learn more about federal benefits.

What to expect next

Once your complete application is received, we will conduct an evaluation of your qualifications and determine your ranking. The most highly qualified candidates will be referred to the hiring manager for further consideration and possible interview. We expect to make a selection within 80 days of the closing date of this announcement.

You will be notified of the outcome. All qualified applicants will be considered regardless of political affiliation, race, color, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, age, disability, or other non-merit factors. DOT provides reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities.

If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, please notify the agency contact listed in the Agency Contact Information section of this announcement or the hiring manager. An employee with a disability must notify the decision-maker of the accommodation request.

Job applicants and employees are required to follow up oral requests in writing. Decisions on granting reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis. Additional information on reasonable accommodations procedures or on EEO Programs is available on Office of Civil Rights (ACR) or by contacting the local FAA Civil Rights Office.

Additional information

Veterans preference does not apply to the FAA Executive System. This is not a bargaining unit position. Links to Important Information: Locality Pay, COLA Relocation or recruitment incentive may be authorized at agency discretion.

Current or Former Political Appointees: The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) must authorize employment offers made to current or former political appointees.

If you are currently, or have been within the last 5 years, a political Schedule A, Schedule C, Non-career SES or Presidential Appointee employee in the Executive Branch, you must disclose this information to the Human Resources Office.