Senior Program Manager

Looking for an opportunity to make an impact

At Leidos we deliver innovative solutions through the efforts of our diverse and talented people who are dedicated to our customers success. We empower our teams contribute to our communities and operate sustainably. Everything we do is built on a commitment to do the right thing for our customers our people and our community. Our Mission Vision and Values guide the way we do business.

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Leidos Defense provides a diverse portfolio of systems solutions and services covering land sea air space and cyberspace for customers worldwide. Solutions for Defense include enterprise and mission IT large-scale intelligence systems command and control geospatial and data analytics cybersecurity logistics training and intelligence analysis and operations support. Our team is solving the worlds toughest security challenges for customers with cant fail missions.

The Emerging Space Systems Division at Leidos currently has an opening for a Senior Program Manager to work in our San Diego CA office. This is an exciting opportunity to use your experience to advance Advanced Electro-Optical/Infrared (EO/IR) Technologies. In this mission we lead the research development and prototyping of next-generation optical sensing capabilitiesincluding multi-spectral imaging persistent surveillance and laser systemsdesigned to provide a tactical advantage to Department of Defense (DoD) operators in contested environments. This role is central to our partnership with high-consequence R&D customers specifically DARPA and AFRL and requires a leader with a strong technical foundation capable of balancing complex engineering demands with internal corporate performance objectives while driving technologies toward mission-ready production.

Primary Responsibilities

• Lead the full lifecycle execution of complex R&D programs focused on EO/IR sensor payloads from initial concept and optical design through sensor-to-platform integration and field testing.

• Serve as the primary point of contact with the Government and Prime-Customers to ensure milestones budgets and schedules are met.

• Execute program management using Earned Value Management (EVM) principles including managing the Integrated Master Schedule (IMS) tracking CPI/SPI and conducting Variance Analysis.

• Report program performance to internal Leidos leadership including regular PMRs financial forecasting (EACs) and resource allocation.

• Drive the proposal process for new R&D efforts including leading technical and cost volume development for DARPA & AFRL solicitations.

• Execute proposals and programs following Leidos internal processes and procedures.

• Work with other disciplines eg Contracts Subcontracts Finance Engineering Management to ensure the successful execution of proposals and programs.

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelors Degree in Engineering Physics or a related technical field with 12 years of prior relevant experience or a Masters Degree with 10 years of prior relevant experience.

• Must have direct experience applying Earned Value Management (EVM) methodology on DoD contracts including formal reporting and reviews.

• Proven track record of managing DoD R&D programs specifically with a focus on DARPA or AFRL contract vehicles.

• Demonstrated experience reporting program health and financial metrics to internal senior management within a matrixed corporate environment.

• Direct management experience in the development integration or testing of EO/IR hardware (e.g. EO sensors hyperspectral imagers or laser systems).

• Strong understanding of the DoD Technology Readiness Level (TRL) and Manufacturing Readiness Level (MRL) scales.

• Must have an active Secret security clearance with the ability to obtain and maintain a TS/SCI.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience leading >$10M / year in customer-funded programs as the Program Manager.

• Prior experience as a Lead Engineer or Subject Matter Expert (SME) in sensor systems before transitioning into Program Management.

• Active PMP certification.

• Specific experience navigating the transition of a DARPA or AFRL prototype into a formal Program of Record (PoR).

• Experience managing classified programs involving Special Access Programs (SAP).

If youre looking for comfort keep scrolling. At Leidos we outthink outbuild and outpace the status quo because the mission demands it. Were not hiring followers. Were recruiting the ones who disrupt provoke and refuse to fail. Step 10 is ancient history. Were already at step 30 and moving faster than anyone else dares.

Original Posting:

Pay Range:

The Leidos pay range for this job level is a general guideline onlyand not a guarantee of compensation or salary. Additional factors considered in extending an offer include (but are not limited to) responsibilities of the job education experience knowledge skills and abilities as well as internal equity alignment with market data applicable bargaining agreement (if any) or other law.