Stern was Executive Director of the Southwest Research Institute's Space Science and Engineering Division until becoming Associate Administrator of NASA's Science Mission Directorate in 2007.
Stern adalah Direktur Eksekutif Divisi Teknik dan Ilmu Pengetahuan Ruang Angkasa Southwest Research Institute sampai menjadi Administrator Asosiasi Direktorat Misi Ilmu Pengetahuan NASA pada 2007.