PCL Node Operations and Program Manager

Job Description

The PCL Node Operations and Program Manager supports Virginia Tech's Programmable Cloud Laboratory (PCL) Node within the Bradley Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering in the College of Engineering. The position provides program controls and coordinates operational readiness for the PCL Node, one of approximately 20 nodes nationwide funded through a four-year National Science Foundation award. The Virginia Tech PCL Node integrates semiconductor fabrication and characterization instruments with scientific data infrastructure, digital twins, artificial intelligence, cloud services, and supervised automation.

Reporting to the PCL Node Principal Investigator/Director, the position manages the integrated program schedule and tracks milestones, risks, decisions, dependencies, corrective actions, and performance measures. The position coordinates NSF reporting inputs and partner deliverables across a multi-institutional collaboration and manages formal handoffs between the teams developing the Node and those responsible for its ongoing operation.

The position coordinates technical contributions to NSF reports, with the Principal Investigator retaining final review and submission authority. This position does not currently have assigned direct reports but may assume supervisory responsibilities in the future.

Required Qualifications

• Master's degree in relative field or Bachelor's degree with appropriate experience in engineering, science, business, public administration, project management, or a related field, or equivalent professional experience.
• Professional experience coordinating complex technical, research, laboratory, infrastructure, or advanced manufacturing programs.
• Demonstrated experience managing integrated schedules, risk registers, milestone-tracking systems, or comparable program controls.
• Experience tracking risks, decisions, reports, action items, and stakeholder dependencies.
• Experience coordinating multidisciplinary or multi-institutional teams.
• Experience maintaining accurate and traceable program records.

Preferred Qualifications

• Advanced degree in a relevant field.
• Significant relevant professional experience, including experience supporting NSF-funded or other federally sponsored, multi-institutional research programs.
• PMP, PgMP, CAPM, or comparable project or program management credential.
• Experience with shared-user facilities, advanced manufacturing, semiconductor research, cleanroom environments, or cyber-physical infrastructure.
• History demonstrating familiarity with subawards, operational-readiness reviews, research compliance, or program-level performance measures.
• Experience using program-management or scheduling software such as Microsoft Project, Smartsheet, or Jira.
• Demonstrated work history showing familiarity with NSF's Research.gov reporting system.
• Work history showing strong organizational, analytical, written, verbal, facilitation, and stakeholder-management skills.
• Demonstrated ability to coordinate multiple stakeholders and maintain accurate records while managing competing deadlines.

Overtime Status

Exempt: Not eligible for overtime

Appointment Type

Restricted

Salary Information

$80,000 - $110,000, Commensurate with Experience

Hours per week

40

Review Date

10/22/2026

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. The university has a significant presence across Virginia, including Blacksburg, the greater Washington, D.C. area, the Health Sciences and Technology Campus in Roanoke, sites in Newport News and Richmond, and numerous Extension offices and research institutes. A leading global research institution, Virginia Tech conducts more than $650 million in research annually.

Virginia Tech endorses and encourages participation in professional development opportunities and university shared governance. These valuable contributions to university shared governance provide important representation and perspective, along with opportunities for unique and impactful professional development.

Virginia Tech does not discriminate against employees, students, or applicants on the basis of age, color, disability, sex (including pregnancy), gender, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, ethnicity or national origin, political affiliation, race, religion, sexual orientation, or military status, or otherwise discriminate against employees or applicants who inquire about, discuss, or disclose their compensation or the compensation of other employees or applicants, or on any other basis protected by law.

If you are an individual with a disability and desire an accommodation, please contact Cole Tankersley at cpt19@vt.edu during regular business hours at least 10 business days prior to the event.