Position Description:

Position Summary

The National Radio Astronomy Observatory (NRAO) is an exciting and prestigious research facility that plays a vital role in the study of the universe. The Observatory operates a variety of radio telescopes that span the globe, including the famous Very Large Array (VLA) in New Mexico, the Green Bank Telescope in West Virginia, and the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA) in Chile. These telescopes are among the most advanced in the world, allowing astronomers to explore the universe in unprecedented detail.

The National NRAO is seeking a forward -thinking, transformational Manager of Network Services to lead the Observatory’s Network Services Team through a period of significant modernization and organizational change.

The location for this position will be at our offices in either Charlottesville, VA; Albuquerque or Socorro, NM; or Green Bank, WV. A remote work arrangement may be available for a well qualified candidate, with occasional site visits.

What You Will be Doing:

This leader will serve as the NRAO’s Network executive, responsible for:

• Redefining Network capabilities
• Modernizing Network infrastructure and services
• Strengthening relationships between the Network Services Team and stakeholders
• Advancing IT automation across all network layers
• Scaling networks for the next generation of radio astronomy
• Transforming organizational culture, processes, and delivery models
• Driving continuous process improvement throughout Network Services

Reporting to the Head of Compute Information Services (CIS), this position plays a critical leadership role in the NRAO’s IT universe. The Network Services Team is responsible for providing the networks that support scientific operations across our distributed facilities, including major observatories, remote antenna sites, multiple data centers, and hybrid cloud systems, as well as support for incoming large-scale projects.

This is not a maintenance role — it is a change-agent leadership position for someone who thrives in complex environments, inspires teams, and leads modernization efforts from vision to execution.

Work Environment

Work is mission driven, team oriented and typically performed in an office setting within a research or development environment. Ability to safely lift 40lbs on a regular basis.

Who You Are:

• You have a bachelor's degree in a related field
• You have five years or more of IT management experience
• A Change Agent
• Excellent written and oral communication skills
• Experience modernizing a large-scale IT environment

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead a comprehensive transformation of the Observatory’s network capabilities, culture, policies, procedures, and processes.
• Develop and execute a modern network strategy aligned with scientific, operational, and organizational priorities.
• Champion standardization, modernization, automation, and process improvement across all network functions.
• Build and mentor a high-performing, customer and project focused network team.

Infrastructure, Networks & Platforms

• Oversee all multisite network infrastructure, including long‑haul fiber, campus networks, remote observatory connectivity, data centers, hybrid cloud platforms, and enterprise compute.
• Ensure network meets high standards of reliability, security, and scalability required to support scientific data flow and Observatory operations.
• Partner with the Platforms team to provide observable, manageable, scalable, and operatable LAN capabilities

People Leadership

• Build, motivate, and mentor a high‑performing IT organization capable of supporting both scientific and enterprise missions.
• Foster a culture of accountability, transparency, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
• Curating the next generation of IT leadership.

Financial & Vendor Management

• Ensure resources are aligned with strategic priorities and managed responsibly.

Additional Requirement

Observatory employees must be authorized to work in the United States. The Observatory presently cannot sponsor H-1B visas for this position.

Total Rewards:

Associated Universities Inc. (AUI) offers a comprehensive total rewards package for this position, subject to eligibility requirements. We are committed to serving our employees and their families with an extensive and competitive compensation and benefits package that supports our employees’ overall well-being and career growth.

Compensation

AUI strives to attract and retain dedicated, highly qualified, competent, and motivated employees by offering competitive compensation and recognition for performance.

Factors which may affect starting pay may include; education, experience, skills, competencies, other qualifications of the successful candidate, as well as internal equity and labor market conditions.

Benefits:

AUI’s benefits package addresses the needs of employees and their families with most benefits beginning on the first day of employment. AUI provides excellent paid time off (13 holidays, annual accrual of up to 24 vacation days and 15 sick days, additional time off for doctor/dentist visits, and 8 weeks of paid parental leave). Medical, dental and vision plans are effective on the first day of employment. AUI’s retirement benefit contributes an amount equal to 10 percent of a qualified participant’s base pay with no required employee contribution; we also offer an optional supplemental, tax-deferred plan for employee retirement contributions.

Application Instructions:

Select the “Apply” button. Please be prepared to upload your current CV/Resume and a cover letter describing interest and suitability for the position.

Equal Opportunity Employer Statement:

AUI is an equal opportunity employer. To view our complete statement, please visit https://public.nrao.edu/careers/. If you require reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process, you may submit your request by sending an email to resumes@nrao.edu. PM20