Lead 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 Lead 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 maintain 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 8 years of prior relevant experience in Government contracting or research and development
• Program Manager, Control Account Manager, or Subcontracts Manager experience in a design and development and/or build contract including Work Breakdown Structure (WBS) definition, schedule generation, financial analysis/reporting, and resource management
• Experience in Proposal Management including planning and cost estimation
• Experience understanding challenges and constraints of working within security classification environments
• Excellent interpersonal and communications skills
• Successful experience in leading and managing multi‑discipline teams
• Strong presentation and organizational skills

Even Better:

• Active Top‑Secret security clearance
• Experience with advanced RF or EO/IR system concepts, operational and systems analysis, and autonomy behaviors and optimization
• Experience evaluating the impact of system capabilities on operational scenarios
• Experience managing projects larger than $5M for the Department of Defense
• Risk and Opportunity Management experience
• Experience managing Research and Development programs
• Proficiency in all Microsoft Office applications including but not limited to MS Project, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint

Pay Information

Full‑Time Salary Range: $147,000 - $200,000

STR is an equal opportunity employer. We are fully dedicated to hiring the most qualified candidate regardless of race, color, religion, sex (including gender identity, sexual orientation and pregnancy), marital status, national origin, age, veteran status, disability, genetic information or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.

If you need a reasonable accommodation for any portion of the employment process, email us at View email address on click.appcast.io and provide your contact info.

Pursuant to applicable federal law and regulations, positions at STR require employees to obtain national security clearances and satisfy the requirements for compliance with export control and other applicable laws.