Senior Defense Project Manager

Teague is an independent design consultancy that combines technology expertise with a deep understanding of human behavior to design what’s next for companies in automotive, commercial aviation, smart cities and infrastructure, advanced mobility, technology, space, and defense. On any given day, you might be prototyping a new space station, designing cutting‑edge technology, or traveling around the world conducting research. We just celebrated our one‑hundred‑year anniversary and are proudly employee‑owned. Our culture fosters collaboration, accountability, and stability—because when we succeed, we all win. Come be a part of something bigger than just a job—build your career with an employee‑owned company that invests in you!

ABOUT THE ROLE

Teague’s Senior Defense Project Managers lead complex defense, government, and space programs from pursuit through delivery—driving execution across scope, schedule, budget, risk, security, and client communications. Working alongside Business Development and Creative Leadership, you’ll guide multidisciplinary teams, navigate classified and regulated environments, and ensure projects meet the highest standards of quality, compliance, and client service. You’ll lead initiatives with budgets up to $10 M and teams of 1–20 employees and partners, balancing strategic thinking with disciplined execution. Success in this role means building trusted client relationships, proactively managing risk, and delivering exceptional results in some of our most complex and mission‑critical programs. 5% business travel is required for project‑related, business development, and/or industry engagements.

WHO YOU ARE

You are an experienced project leader who thrives in complex, fast‑paced environments where strategic thinking, disciplined execution, and strong client relationships are essential. You have a proven track record leading multidisciplinary projects through the creative process while balancing scope, schedule, budget, risk, and quality. You communicate with confidence, build trust quickly, and know how to align clients, partners, and cross‑functional teams around a common goal. You’re comfortable navigating competing priorities, making sound decisions with incomplete information, and bringing structure to complex challenges. You understand the unique demands of defense, space, and government programs, owning the project classification process, assessing export control requirements, determining appropriate ITAR, EAR, and CUI handling, and continuously improving these practices as needs evolve. You proactively identify issues before they become problems and lead teams through challenges with professionalism and sound judgment. Above all, you’re a collaborative leader who values accountability, develops strong working relationships, and is passionate about delivering exceptional experiences for clients while enabling creative teams to do their best work.

WHAT YOU’LL DO

OWNING

Represent Teague with professionalism, discretion, and sound judgment in client, partner, and internal interactions, particularly within regulated or security‑sensitive environments. Establish trust through consistent follow‑through, clear communication, and accountability for commitments made to clients, partners, and internal teams. Lead through ambiguity and change, creating clarity, alignment, and accountability across multidisciplinary teams and stakeholders. Take ownership of compliance readiness across Teague’s Space & Defense work, ensuring requirements are understood, integrated into project planning, and addressed with the appropriate internal partners. Support defense and space business development by participating in initial client discussions, leading solution development, leveraging personal networks to identify and cultivate leads, and bringing delivery insight to spot follow‑on opportunities and shape practical, credible pursuit strategies.

THINKING

Partner with Business Development, Creative Leadership, and technical teams to shape defense, government and space pursuits, including their project strategies, scopes, and delivery approaches that align with client, mission, and business objectives. Apply structured problem solving and sound judgment to develop estimates, resourcing plans, schedules, and risk strategies for complex work, balancing the opportunity with delivery confidence and financial performance for Teague. Assess changing project conditions and make timely recommendations to adjust delivery approaches, resources, controls, or priorities to protect project outcomes. Evaluate incoming pursuits and projects for export & security classification and other compliance considerations, ensuring the appropriate procedures, resources, and tools are in place before work begins. Maintain visibility into current and future defense and space work, identifying resource needs, delivery constraints, and opportunities to improve planning and project execution. Identify opportunities to strengthen Teague’s defense and space delivery practices, tools, and readiness as client, program, and regulatory needs evolve.

DOING

Lead complex defense, government, and space projects through execution and delivery, maintaining control of scope, schedule, budget, resourcing, risk, and client commitments. Partner with Business Development, Creative, and technical teams to shape pursuits, develop scopes and estimates, and establish clear project plans and delivery strategies. Serve as a primary client contact following contract execution, building trusted relationships and leading clear communication across clients, teams, and leadership. Maintain project health through proactive financial management, forecasting, risk management, and timely escalation of issues requiring leadership support. Lead multidisciplinary teams by creating alignment across resources, staffing, facilities, and external partners as project needs evolve. Apply and improve project delivery practices, documentation, and compliance processes to ensure work aligns with applicable security, export, classification, and regulatory requirements.

WHAT YOU BRING

7+ years of experience leading complex projects in defense, government, aerospace, space, consulting, product development, or similarly regulated environments. PMP certification is a plus. Proven ability to lead defense and government‑related projects from scope development and estimating through delivery, with accountability for client relationships, scope, schedule, budget, forecasting, risk, and project outcomes. Experience supporting defense business development and partnering with business development, technical, and creative teams to shape scopes, estimates, delivery approaches, and project plans. Working knowledge of defense and government compliance requirements, including CMMC, ITAR, export controls, controlled information, security requirements, and project classification considerations. Ability to develop and improve practical compliance processes, policies, and guidance that balance regulatory obligations with client needs and Teague’s operating model. Strong client leadership, communication, judgment, and problem‑solving skills; able to lead multidisciplinary teams, manage complex priorities, and improve defense project delivery practices. Currently holds, or has the demonstrated ability to obtain and maintain, a U.S. Government security clearance up to and including Top Secret. The salary range for this job in most U.S. geographic locations is $130,000 – $155,000. Note: This job posting provides a general overview of the role and is not meant to represent a comprehensive list of all responsibilities, duties, or required skills.

WHY YOU’LL LOVE WORKING HERE

Creative Environment – Work with a talented and passionate team. Growth‑Oriented – We support professional development and skill‑building. Collaborative Culture – We value diverse perspectives and ideas. Impactful Work – Shape the future of design and create meaningful experiences. A Team That Cares – We believe great work comes from happy, inspired people.

OUR COMMITMENT

At Teague, we believe that diversity fuels creativity, equity drives opportunity, inclusion fosters belonging, and accessibility makes innovation truly universal. We are committed to creating an environment where everyone, regardless of background, identity, or lived experience, feels valued, heard, and empowered.

WHY JOIN US

We create new ways of working to drive innovation and adaptability. We trust one another, empowering collaboration and autonomy. We never stand still, embracing growth and continuous learning. We champion new ideas and perspectives, valuing creativity and fresh thinking. We celebrate our differences and foster an inclusive culture of belonging. We engage across diverse projects that challenge and inspire. We encourage work/life integration, promoting balance and well‑being.

WHAT WE OFFER

We are an employee‑owned company through an Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP), fostering a culture of collaboration, accountability, and long‑term stability. Our comprehensive Total Rewards package includes employer‑provided Short & Long‑Term Disability and Life/AD&D insurance, competitive dental and medical plans with a Health Savings Account option, Flexible Spending Accounts, 401(k), and Parental Leave. We also offer voluntary benefits for vision, additional life, additional AD&D, accident & injury, critical illness, identity theft protections, legal, and long‑term care. Employees enjoy discounts on pet insurance and access to healthcare discount programs. Full‑time employees accrue 4 weeks of paid time off a year (prorated for part‑time hires) and 10 paid holidays throughout the fiscal year. On‑call or temporary employees accrue 1 hr of PTO for every 30 hrs worked. Full‑time interns begin receiving benefits in the first month following 60 days of hire. We are a Washington State based company. All employees must reside in the state of Washington (unless otherwise noted for specific roles) and be able to access one of our studio locations in the greater Seattle area.

EEO STATEMENT

Teague is an EEO/AA employer. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or protected veteran status. #J-18808-Ljbffr Teague Design, Inc.