Tools Portfolio Manager at Simple Technology Solutions in Washington DC

Job description

• STS is seeking a highly motivated Tools Portfolio Manager to support NASA’s Earth Observing System Data and Information System (EOSDIS) Evolution and Development 3 (EED-3) contract.  Raytheon’s EED-3 team provides Earth scientists and others access to data from NASA’s Earth Science missions. Full-time telecommuting or remote working is available for this position.

Responsibilities

• The Tool Portfolio Manager oversees the full lifecycle of organizational tools and ensures they are effectively documented, evaluated, secured, governed, and maintained. This role supports both internal teams and the scientific community by providing clear guidance on tool selection, usability, and alignment with operational and research needs. The manager is responsible for developing a centralized, accessible tool library; modeling ROI for strategic tool decisions; and implementing governance and security practices to ensure responsible, compliant, and efficient tool usage across the organization.
• Tool Documentation and Cataloging
• Develop and maintain a comprehensive inventory of approved tools, including detailed documentation on purpose, capabilities, dependencies, ownership, and usage guidelines.
• Ensure the tool library is well‑organized, discoverable, and actively maintained.
• Evaluation and Assessment
• Create and manage standardized evaluation processes to assess new and existing tools for functional fit, usability, scalability, and long‑term viability.
• Provide structured recommendations for adoption, enhancement, or retirement.
• ROI Modeling and Analysis
• Build and maintain ROI models to analyze the value and operational impact of tools.
• Deliver data‑driven insights that guide tool selection, prioritization, and lifecycle decisions.
• Tool Lifecycle Management
• Oversee all phases of the tool lifecycle, from initial selection and onboarding to continuous review and decommissioning.
• Monitor tool effectiveness to ensure alignment with organizational and scientific requirements.
• User Support and Consultation
• Assist end users in identifying tools that address project needs or technical challenges.
• Offer guidance on tool capabilities, limitations, best practices, and decision drivers.
• Governance and Compliance
• Implement governance policies and procedures to ensure consistent and responsible tool usage.
• Align tool management practices with organizational policies, procurement standards, and audit requirements.
• Security Oversight
• Evaluate tools for compliance with cybersecurity standards and organizational risk frameworks.
• Collaborate with security teams to ensure proper access controls, monitoring, and mitigation strategies.
• Cross‑Team Collaboration
• Partner with scientists, engineers, IT teams, and security personnel to maintain alignment between tool capabilities and organizational goals.
• Facilitate communication across stakeholders to ensure transparent and informed decision‑making.

Requirements

• Background in software engineering, IT management, product management, or a related technical discipline.
• Strong analytical skills, including the ability to evaluate tool performance and develop ROI models.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with experience producing clear documentation and guidance.
• Familiarity with lifecycle management, governance frameworks, and evaluation methodologies.
• Demonstrated ability to collaborate with scientific communities, technical teams, stakeholders, and end users.
• Strong execution and follow‑through, with the ability to drive process consistency and portfolio oversight.
• Tool Lifecycle Management: Demonstrated experience managing tools or software products through evaluation, onboarding, maintenance, and retirement phases.
• Documentation & Cataloging: Strong ability to document tool purpose, capabilities, dependencies, usage guidance, and governance criteria.
• Security & Compliance Awareness: Ability to assess tools against cybersecurity and compliance standards, ensuring risk controls and audit readiness.
• Communication & Consultation: Excellent skills in guiding users, translating technical concepts, and supporting stakeholders in selecting appropriate tools.
• Cross‑Functional Collaboration: Demonstrated ability to work effectively across scientific communities, technical teams, and organizational stakeholders.
• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field.
• 12+ years of experience in the Earth Science domain, including support for scientific workflows or tools.
• Permission to work in the United States is required; U.S. citizenship is required.
• All candidates must be able to pass a National Agency Clearance with Inquires (NACI) screening.
• Technical Ecosystem Knowledge: Experience working within complex tool or system environments, including integrations and infrastructure considerations.
• Earth Science Domain Competence: Familiarity with tools, workflows, or research applications commonly used in Earth Science.
• User Experience Sensitivity: Ability to evaluate and improve tool usability, documentation clarity, and discoverability within a centralized library.
• Data‑Driven Reporting: Skill in tracking portfolio health, usage patterns, performance metrics, and operational value to inform strategic decisions.
• Process Optimization: Ability to refine evaluation, governance, or support workflows to improve consistency, effectiveness, and adoption.

Skills

Required

• Strong analytical skills
• Strong execution and follow-through
• Tool Lifecycle Management
• Documentation & Cataloging
• Security & Compliance Awareness
• Communication & Consultation
• Cross-Functional Collaboration

Preferred

• Technical Ecosystem Knowledge
• Earth Science Domain Competence
• User Experience Sensitivity
• Data-Driven Reporting
• Process Optimization