Position Available at NASA (USC)

Director, NASA Far West Regional Technology Transfer Center (FWRTTC), School of Engineering, University of Southern California

The mission of FWRTTC is to play a leading role in the commercialization of NASA technology, with the primary focus on technology developed in the three NASA field centers in its region; Ames Research Center, Jet Propulsion Laboratory, and Dryden Flight Research Center. The FWRTTC region includes the eight western states (CA, OR, WA, AK, AZ, HI, NV and ID) and the FWRTTC supports an affiliate organization in each of these states to assist in the commercialization work.

The commercialization mission is broadly defined, and includes making industry aware of NASA technology, promoting new NASA technology, assisting companies seeking to acquire and commercialize NASA technologies, forming industry alliances and state-industry relationships to further the commercialization of NASA technology, and assisting in the formation of new enterprises to further the commercial development and application of NASA technology.

The FWRTTC Director has responsibility for all phases of the FWRTTC program, including direct responsibility for program planning, policy and budgets. Specific duties of direct responsibility include:

• Principal investigator for the NASA FWRTTC contract, which is managed by Ames Research Center,
• Maintains close liaison with NASA, Federal Laboratories, the Federal Laboratory Consortium, and other Federal, State and local agencies with whom existing contractual working agreements are maintained; and leveraging the NASA technology transfer and commercialization mission through these liaisons, and
• Identifies and pursues innovative arrangements with all appropriate agencies and business organizations to further the overall mission and objectives of the FWRTTC and develops other strategic business relationships to leverage NASA funding and achieve budgetary critical mass.

The Director oversees the day-to-day operations of the FWRTTC, including:

• The general supervision and personnel administration of the FWRTTC staff.

• The overall strategic planning, implementation and management of technology commercialization, business assistance, marketing, promotion and outreach functions of the FWRTTC.

The Director reports to the Associate Dean for Research of the School of Engineering.

Education

An advanced degree in Business or Engineering is preferred. Desirable qualifications include: business experience and experience in dealing with government organizations; demonstrated leadership skills, strong work ethic and a sound value system; demonstrated experience in program design and development; broad experience in technology transfer and commercialization from the federal to the private sector; and, entrepreneurial spirit.

Please send resume, including the names of three references, to: FWRTTC Search Committee, University of Southern California, School of Engineering, Olin Hall 200

Los Angeles, CA 90089-1450. Compensation package commensurate with experience. This position will remain open until filled.