Program Manager (Senior – Defense Technology Programs)

Job Title: Program Manager (Senior Defense Technology Programs)
Security Clearance: Final TS/SCI (SAP eligible required)

Position Summary

The Program Manager provides executive leadership for large-scale high-value defense technology programs. This role oversees the full lifecycle of research engineering and development initiatives ensuring successful delivery across design manufacturing integration and testing phases within highly classified environments.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead planning execution and management of major defense research engineering and development programs
• Oversee full program lifecycle including design manufacturing integration and testing
• Manage portfolios of technology programs exceeding $100M in value
• Provide leadership in highly classified environments including Special Access Programs (SAP) and Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI) programs
• Ensure compliance with DoD 5000 acquisition lifecycle processes
• Collaborate with Research & Engineering (R&E) program managers and stakeholders across the Department of Defense (DoD)
• Lead cross-functional teams and provide executive-level briefings to senior stakeholders
• Drive program performance risk management and strategic alignment

Required Qualifications

Experience:

• 10 years of experience managing planning developing and executing research engineering and development programs for defense organizations
• 10 years of experience as a Lead or Deputy Program Manager for technology programs or portfolios valued at $100M or more
• Demonstrated experience managing the full lifecycle of technology programs (design manufacturing integration testing)
• 5 years of experience operating within highly classified environments including SAP and SCI programs
• 5 years of experience with the DoD 5000 series Defense Acquisition System
• Demonstrated knowledge of DoD organizational structure and experience collaborating with Research & Engineering (R&E) program managers
• 10 years of strong written and verbal communication experience including briefing senior leadership and managing cross-functional teams

Education:

• Bachelors degree from an accredited college or university in one of the following fields:
  • Systems Engineering
  • Aerospace Engineering
  • Electrical Engineering
  • Physical Sciences
  • Software Engineering
  • Cyber Engineering
  • Artificial Intelligence / Machine Learning (AI/ML) Engineering

Security Requirement:

• Active Final TS/SCI clearance with SAP eligibility

Preferred Qualifications

• 10 years of experience managing support services contracts of similar size scope and complexity
• 10 years of experience building and maintaining stakeholder relationships across the DoD
• Experience resolving complex program challenges and driving cross-organizational collaboration
• 5 years of experience or foundational knowledge in Electromagnetics and Radio Frequency (EM/RF) technologies

Core Competencies

• Program & Portfolio Management
• Defense Acquisition (DoD 5000 Series)
• Classified Program Leadership (SAP/SCI)
• Research & Engineering (R&E) Collaboration
• Stakeholder Engagement & Communication
• Risk Management & Problem Resolution
• EM/RF Technical Awareness
• Cross-Functional Team Leadership

Required Experience:

Senior Manager