Program Manager

Responsibilities for this Position

Program Manager

ID: 2026-75343
US-VA-Chesapeake
Required Clearance: Secret
Posted Date: 10/5/2026
Category: Program/Project Management
Employment Type: Full Time
Hiring Company: General Dynamics Mission Systems, Inc.

Basic Qualifications

Bachelors degree or equivalent is required plus a minimum of 8 years relevant experience; or Master's degree plus a minimum of 6 years relevant experience to meet managerial expectations.

CLEARANCE REQUIREMENTS:

Department of Defense SECRET security clearance is required at time of hire. Applicants selected will be subject to a U.S. Government security investigation and must meet eligibility requirements up to Top Secret for access to classified information. Due to the nature of work performed within our facilities, U.S. citizenship is required.

Responsibilities for this Position

General Dynamics Mission Systems has an immediate opening for a Program Manager to support Navy shipbuilding programs in Newport News, VA. The position will operate out Chesapeake, VA. This position is embedded within a portfolio of programs that deliver classified engineering tools, integration and test support, digital data collection systems, and AI-driven data analytics capabilities for submarine and aircraft carrier new construction. The Program Manager will lead cross-functional teams responsible for software development, cloud-hosted application delivery, and modernization initiatives that directly enhance fleet readiness. The position provides an opportunity to enhance the performance and profitability of an organization that supports some of our nations fundamental defense services. General Dynamics Mission Systems employees work closely with esteemed customers to develop solutions that allow them to carry out high-stakes national security missions. As aspiring leaders, General Dynamics Mission Systems (GDMS) believes there are several enabling behaviors which will influence your success. These behaviors will also serve as leading indicators of likely success (or difficulty), and will be used by your manager in evaluating your performance and growth as a leader, and will serve to build trust from your teams, your customer, and the organization. These behaviors are:

• Develop yourself
• Develop others
• Be a team player/leader
• Communicate effectively
• Develop and sustain the relationships you need to be successful
• Shape culture and positively impact the morale, motivation, and engagement of those around you
• Operate at the right level and deliver on your commitments
• Think and act strategically
• Confront reality
• Take reasonable, managed risks

It is expected the successful candidate will utilize these tenets so they can build on their own essential skills and traits.

REPRESENTATIVE DUTIES AND TASKS:

• Supports integration and test activities for submarine warfare tactical systems and carrier C5I and aviation systems during government new construction programs; adapting project support into platform modernization life-cycle support
• Coordinates with customer organizations to align program execution with customer requirements and priorities
• Develops customer relationships and identifies new business opportunities within the Navy shipbuilding and modernization market, including program growth and transition opportunities
• Uses proposal plans and strategies to lead teams in developing, defining, and implementing cohesive, integrated program/product, subcontractor, and material plans, and business plans that achieve overall current and long-term objectives of the program/product, business unit, and division
• Oversees AI, machine learning, and data analytics initiatives that leverage engineering and test data to drive predictive insights and operational efficiencies for naval platforms
• Identifies needed resources for projects, defines and assigns major program roles for engineering, technical and logistic support required to meet program milestones
• Leads the establishment of and sets integrated WBS-based budget and schedule baselines including management reserve for programs/products that are complex in nature, high value, with a new customer, naval organization or in a new market area
• Monitors work accomplished to baseline plans to ensure rate of work completion is sufficient to meet program/product schedules
• Balances program risks and opportunities with executable strategies to meet technical requirements and budgets
• Manages people who lead cross-functional program teams in matrix organization that are focused on the delivery of software-intensive and digital data collection and analysis systems, classified engineering tools, and cloud-hosted applications
• Leads software development teams utilizing Agile methodologies (Scrum, SAFe) and DevSecOps practices, including CI/CD pipelines and iterative sprint-based delivery while meeting all cybersecurity accreditation requirements
• Manages programs deployed on classified cloud infrastructure, including NAVSEA Cloud (GovCloud at IL6), ensuring compliance with cyber security Risk Management Framework accreditation requirements
  
• Creates an environment that fosters professional growth for team members
• Delegates assignments to others for developing solutions
• Conducts reviews to drill down into issues on products/programs, identify issues, develop corrective actions, and communicate issues, impacts and corrective actions to program teams
• Leads team to identify and quantify risks and opportunities and risk mitigation / opportunity capture activities
• Decouples risk items from mainstream program to the greatest extent possible
• Prepares and presents program/product status to leadership and external customers
• Interfaces with customers on technical matters regarding program/products and provide complex problem solving solutions within program budgets
• Identifies scope changes and develops product/program positions for equitable cost and schedule adjustments
• Develops and executes proposal plans and strategies
• Follows processes and operational policies in selecting methods and techniques for obtaining solutions. Recommends changes to policies and establishes procedures that affect immediate organization(s)

KNOWLEDGE SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

• Very strong knowledge of submarine and aircraft carrier engineering tools and digital data collection systems, products and technologies including current and potential applications
• Very strong knowledge of customer needs, particularly Navy submarine warfare tactical systems and aircraft carrier C5I and aviation systems new construction and modernization programs
• Knowledge of the submarine and carrier new construction and modernization process, including familiarity with CWITT, SIIMO and CAITT workflows, engineering tools, associated test and evaluation procedures and inventory management methods
• Understanding of Navy modernization programs and the role of software-intensive systems in supporting fleet readiness
• Very strong verbal and written communication skills to articulate project plans and ideas
• Familiarity with software development lifecycle management, DevSecOps practices, CI/CD pipeline implementation and cyber security Risk Management Framework accreditation requirements
• Familiarity with Agile methodologies (Scrum, SAFe, or similar frameworks) and their application to defense software programs
• Familiarity with AI, machine learning, and data analytics concepts and their application to engineering data analysis and predictive insights
• Knowledge of Navy Test and Evaluation (T&E) processes across submarines and aircraft carrier programs, including the role of government test teams, shipbuilders and Supervisor of Shipbuilding
• Experience working with NIWC Atlantic, submarine and surface naval warfare centers or similar Navy systems commands in a program management or technical coordination capacity providing consultation to government leadership for strategic goal and objective planning, business development and capability implementation, systems engineering strategies, and/or complex problem solving solutions
• Skilled in the development and implementation of product/program strategy and tactics
• Ability to generate cohesive program plans under a structured methodology that aligns program objectives, resources, timelines, and evaluation metrics into an integrated and actionable blueprint
• Must be able to establish and assure adherence to budgets, schedules, work plans, and performance requirements and articulate to the customer the specific, measurable and achievable objectives
• Ability to develop and implement a product oriented WBS and WBS Dictionary
• Ability to track work accomplished to baseline plans and identify issues, track progress, and follow through on effective corrective actions based on data analysis and trends
• Skilled in communicating issues, impacts, and corrective actions on programs to internal and external representatives, including Navy and DoD senior level representatives
• Ability to understand and analyze program financial data
• Ability to evaluate quality of work product across organization teams to ensure satisfaction of customer requirements and determine potential opportunity for system or process improvement
• Very strong understanding of advanced risk and opportunity management techniques and ability to apply them to programs
• Ability to lead teams in matrix organization, across organizational boundaries and influence cross-organizational technical teams effectively
• Ability to lead others in team building, conflict resolution, motivation, leadership and advanced risk management
• Familiarity with government contracting practices and regulations regarding acquisition
• Outstanding relationship management and marketing skills
• Needs ability to execute company policies that affect immediate operations and program growth
• Ability to develop and execute proposal plans and strategies
• Ability to lead program in customer negotiations and negotiate win-win solutions
• Will interact frequently with internal personnel and outside representatives at various levels
• Requires weekly on-site interaction with government customers
• Working knowledge of MS Project, Excel, Word, PowerPoint
• May be required to travel
• Identifies opportunities to apply AI for continuous improvement and innovation

#LI-Hybrid

Salary Note

This estimate represents the typical salary range for this position based on experience and other factors (geographic location, etc.). Actual pay may vary. This job posting will remain open until the position is filled.

Combined Salary Range

USD $164,314.00 - USD $177,792.00 /Yr.

Company Overview

General Dynamics Mission Systems (GDMS) engineers a diverse portfolio of high technology solutions, products and services that enable customers to successfully execute missions across all domains of operation. With a global team of 12,000+ top professionals, we partner with the best in industry to expand the bounds of innovation in the defense and scientific arenas. Given the nature of our work and who we are, we value trust, honesty, alignment and transparency. We offer highly competitive benefits and pride ourselves in being a great place to work with a shared sense of purpose. You will also enjoy a flexible work environment where contributions are recognized and rewarded. If who we are and what we do resonates with you, we invite you to join our high-performance team!

Equal Opportunity Employer / Individuals with Disabilities / Protected Veterans

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