Program Manager (Mission Training)

Requirements Demonstrated success leading complex, cross-functional programs in dynamic, fast-paced environments Ability to manage multiple concurrent programs across different platforms, timelines, and stakeholders Strong organizational discipline with a bias toward structured planning, milestone tracking, and accountability Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to align technical, operational, and leadership stakeholders Proven ability to identify risks early, drive mitigation strategies, and maintain program momentum under uncertainty Strong analytical mindset, with the ability to leverage data and reporting to inform decisions and communicate program status Demonstrated leadership capability, including experience guiding teams, influencing without authority, and developing junior personnel (e.g., analysts or PMO staff) Ability to translate complex technical systems and operational concepts into clear program plans and training requirements Comfort operating in field environments and engaging directly with training teams, engineers, and operators Ability to operate effectively in environments where requirements and timelines evolve rapidly Willingness to travel up to 40–50% to support training sites, sea trials, and program activities Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Operations, Business, or a related field 8+ years of experience in program management, operations, or technical project leadership Proven experience managing complex, cross-functional programs with multiple stakeholders Strong organizational and planning skills, with the ability to manage competing priorities and timelines Experience driving programs from concept through delivery in fast-paced environments Experience leading or managing analysts, PMO functions, or data/reporting efforts preferred Excellent communication skills, including experience briefing senior leadership Master’s degree in a related field (e.g., MBA, Data Analytics, Operations Research/Analysis, or a closely related discipline) (Desirable) Experience in defense, maritime, autonomy, or other high-consequence operational environments (Desirable) Familiarity with platform development lifecycles, testing, and deployment processes (Desirable) Experience supporting training programs, workforce readiness, or operational rollout efforts (Desirable) Understanding of maritime operations, vessel systems, or mission planning concepts (Desirable) What the job involves We’re seeking a Program Manager to lead the development and rollout of Mission Training programs for new and evolving autonomous maritime platforms, including medium and large USVs In this role, you will own the cradle-to-grave development of training programs for new platforms—coordinating across engineering, product, instructional design, and training teams to ensure operators can be trained, qualified, and deployed in step with system development You will operate at the center of complex, cross-functional efforts, managing timelines, dependencies, risks, and milestones to ensure training programs are delivered on schedule and aligned with mission requirements Program Ownership & Delivery: Own the cradle-to-grave development of Mission Training programs for new platforms and major capability releases Develop and manage integrated program plans spanning curriculum development, training infrastructure, staffing readiness, and multi-site rollout Drive alignment between platform development timelines and training program availability Planning, Milestones & Dependencies: Define program milestones, deliverables, and success criteria for training readiness Identify and manage cross-functional dependencies across Engineering, Product, Instructional Design, Mission Training, and Operations Track progress against plans and proactively resolve risks, blockers, and schedule conflicts Curriculum & Instructional Design Integration: Partner closely with the Instructional Design Manager and team to translate platform capabilities and mission requirements into structured training curriculum Ensure alignment between program timelines and curriculum development, validation, and release cycles Support prioritization of instructional design efforts based on platform readiness and operational demand Validate that training materials, assessments, and learning objectives support operator qualification and mission performance Training Readiness & Rollout: Ensure training programs, materials, and environments are ready to support system testing, fielding, and operational use Coordinate rollout of new training programs across multiple sites and locations Partner with Training Operations to transition programs from development into steady-state delivery Cross-functional Coordination: Serve as the central coordination point for training-related efforts tied to new platforms Align stakeholders across engineering, autonomy, maritime operations, instructional design, and training teams Facilitate communication, decision-making, and escalation across program stakeholders Operational Integration: Incorporate inputs from sea trials, testing, and early deployments into training program development Ensure training reflects real-world operational requirements, mission profiles, and system capabilities Support development of training scenarios aligned with expected operational use Risk Management, Data & Reporting: Establish and lead program-level risk management processes, identifying schedule, scope, and readiness risks early and driving mitigation strategies Lead a team of analysts responsible for data capture, analysis, and reporting across training programs Develop and maintain dashboards and reporting frameworks to track program health, readiness status, and key milestones Provide clear, data-driven updates to leadership on program progress, risks, dependencies, and performance trends Use quantitative and qualitative insights to inform decision-making and improve program outcomes Physical Demands: Primarily office-based with regular travel to training sites, shipyards, and operational environments Ability to support field activities, including observing training, testing, and deployment events Will be exposed to marine environments, including sun, wind, rain, cold, and saltwater spray, often for extended periods Ability to perform physically demanding work i.e. stoop, lay, bend, reach, squat, kneel, crouch, twist and crawl for extended periods of time including up to 12 hours/day Wear Personal Protective Equipment, including but not limited to: safety glasses, safety shoes, hard hat and adhering to prescribed safety rules and guidelines #J-18808-Ljbffr