Senior Program Manager

About the Team

The Sensors Division at STR focuses on technology development for advanced sensor systems and platforms in support of national security. At STR, Defense Systems Researchers study complex defense technologies and systems by developing representative, physics-based models, analyzing data, developing metrics of performance, and evaluating against mission requirements. In addition, the researcher will often integrate the algorithms and control systems that are critical to operations of modern defense systems.

The Systems Autonomy, Analysis, and Modeling (SAAM) Group within the Sensors Division studies and develops novel concepts for the next-generation ground-based, airborne, and space-based RF and EO/IR sensor systems and platforms. We perform systems and operational analysis using a combination of low, medium, and high-fidelity modeling, simulation, and analysis tools to inform systems designs and development. Our main customer focus is on Air Force, Navy, and DARPA research programs.

The Role

The SAAM Group is seeking a Senior Program Manager with an engineering background to manage a portfolio of programs focused on modeling and simulation as well as autonomy development. You will manage multi-disciplinary teams of researchers, scientists, and engineers spread across multiple STR campuses to meet cost, schedule, and performance objectives on innovative, complex, and challenging national security programs. Your areas of specific focus will include building and executing programmatic baselines, including personnel, deliverables, and subcontractor management plans while anticipating risks, resolving resource, security, and contracting challenges, and meeting or managing customer, sponsor, and leadership expectations.

A successful candidate will have recent experience leading programs in either a program manager or engineering capacity, with experience in several of the following areas: modeling and simulation, systems engineering, test & evaluation, software architecture, resource management, operational analysis, systems autonomy, and/or communications. This position requires competency in leading and managing multi-disciplinary teams, navigating complex security environments, briefing senior leadership, cultivating positive, collaborative, and productive work environments, and a strong proficiency in all aspects of program management. Strong interpersonal, communication, mentorship, and peer-leadership skills are also required.

What you will do:

• Effectively execute multiple programs ensuring cost, schedule and technical program metrics are being tracked and within plan
• Support proposals by providing expertise in proposal development while ensuring adherence to a gated capture process
• Creating Subcontractor statements of work and manage/track Subcontractors to ensure proper execution
• Work with lead engineers to lead multi-functional teams
• Provide regular program briefs to Group and Division Leadership
• Create and maintaining an environment that fosters collaboration by giving clear direction and constructive feedback to the team
• Monitor progress against goals: anticipate risks, resolve issues, and initiate corrective actions as appropriate
• Identify and address security classification constraints

Who you are:

• Active Security Clearance at the Secret level and the ability to obtain Top-Secret Clearance, for which U.S citizenship is needed by the U.S government
• Technical Undergraduate Degree and minimum of 5 years of prior relevant experience in Government contracting or research and development
• Program Manager, Control