Program Manager 2 (active Top Secret security clearance required)

Join our dynamic team as a Program Manager, where you'll play a crucial role in leading high-value program scope through execution. We are looking for an experienced leader to manage key aspects of program with a strong emphasis on subcontractor management and higher-level assembly integration activities while strongly managing cost and schedule delivery. This position offers the opportunity to drive performance improvements across production and business teams while ensuring timely delivery of hardware to our program team.

Primary responsibilities are the management of cost, schedule, and technical performance in support of the Program Director, but are not limited to:

Program Execution

• Execute programs successfully by managing risk, safety, quality, schedule, technology and cost

• Primary point of contact and driver for the program Risk and Opportunity Process 

• Have the capacity to understand people issues impacting the business 

• Have proven ability to influence others

• Strategic thinking to successfully complete the program to the requirements, within cost and on-time delivery

• Recognize and resolve issues impacting the program and critically manage associated risks

• Assist the Program Director as the primary point of contact driving design and execution reviews and associated action closure

• Assist the Program Team with general operations to include; staffing, clearance processing, customer meeting coordination, design review scheduling, etc.

• Execute and lead the proposal team and process for Engineering Change Proposals throughout the lifecycle of the program

Program Team Management

• Assist the Program in the management of the program team (to include coaching team members, resolving conflict, reviewing performance, and initiating corrective actions at the supplier, if necessary)

• Coordinate the performance of program functions (such as contract, finance, and scheduling) as needed in execution of the program

• Possess the proven ability to provide verbal and written information clearly, succinctly, and persuasively

• Support the program plan to meet critical milestones

• Manage integrated master schedules (identifying and assessing risks, and initiating necessary corrective action)

• Manage and implement the risk and opportunity process in support of program execution

Schedule Management

• Understanding of the Integrated Master Schedule (IMS) is executed and managed in support of the program delivery

• Ensure that the programs/projects are on schedule to the program milestones

• Provide oversight and management of the risk and opportunity register to ensure adequate actions are taken to effectively burn down risks and capture opportunities in support of the overall program delivery

• The ability to effectively plan, define, establish, communicate, monitor, and control scope to ensure that all of the work required and only the work required is performed

Financial Performance

• Manage budgets and update monthly performance review for program leadership

• Present performance of schedule and cost to management

• Forecast financial performance for overall integrated financial forecasting

• Work with program leadership to ensure cost and price are adequately managed and tracked

Contract Structure & Pricing

• Assist in contract negotiations, endorse final price and contract terms and help resolve contract issues as needed

• Facilitate generation of contract change estimates and proposals in response to customer and program needs

• Lead the proposal team and process in support of all Engineering Change Proposals in response to customer and program needs

Technical Performance

• Establishing and maintaining a comprehensive technical performance baseline to monitor the program's progress and assess compliance with technical requirements.

• Overseeing the burn-down of program requirements to ensure timely verification and validation of all technical deliverables

• Collaborating with engineering and quality teams to develop and implement robust verification and validation processes that align with program milestones.

• Identifying and managing technical risks early in the program lifecycle, implementing mitigation strategies to minimize impact on performance

• Conducting regular technical performance reviews to evaluate progress against the baseline, providing transparency to stakeholders and fostering a culture of continuous improvement.

• Facilitating communication among stakeholders to align technical objectives with program goals and address any discrepancies between performance and baseline requirements

• Providing insights and recommendations for process improvements based on performance data and validation outcomes to enhance overall program quality and effectiveness

Basic Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s Degree and 10+ years, or Master’s in a technical field and 8+ years’ experience supporting U.S. Government contracts and customers and/or project management in other industries. 4 additional years of experience in lieu of education

• 3-5 years of experience leading the performance of tasks on schedule, at cost and achieving all requirements as either project lead, integrated program team or cost account manager, risk and opportunity management

• 3-5 years of demonstrated success leading teams/and or organizations to achieve a common goal  

• Must possess an active Top Secret security clearance.

• Business Acumen: Strong understanding of business and financial concepts to inform program decision-making.

• Planning, Scheduling & Earned Value: Expertise in developing and managing program plans and baselines to meet contractual requirements.

• Risk & Opportunity Management: Methodical approach to identifying and addressing uncertainties throughout the program lifecycle.

• Technical Performance: Ability to establish technical performance baselines to monitor program measures and status. 

Preferred Qualifications:

• A thorough technical background with experience managing risk and opportunities for programs exceeding ~$500M  

• Significant background in space hardware programs with an emphasis on integrated space vehicles

• In-depth understanding of IMS and schedule risk assessments (SRA) to ensure adequate schedule health and performance outcomes

• Successfully management of programs exceeding ~$500M

• Experience with FFP and CPAF/IF contract types

• Current Active Top Secret/SCI or Active Top Secret / SCI Clearance with counterintelligence polygraph