Strategic Engagement Program Manager

KTS is seeking a Strategic Engagement Program Manager (PM) to identify new opportunities for program expansion and serves as the primary liaison between the company and program office government contracting officers, ensuring all contractor personnel, technical specifications, cost, and schedule requirements are met.

• Establish a technical program organization that effectively addresses performance requirements and incorporates the necessary internal and external organizations.
• Lead end‑to‑end program planning, execution and delivery in accordance with cost, pricing, schedule, performance and risk requirements.
• Lead complex defense programs with a strong emphasis on strategic customer engagement and cross‑organizational alignment.
• Manage cost and schedule performance using Earned Value Management (EVM) or similar tools.
• Plan and coordinate business reviews, resource allocations, organization structures, and financial analysis.

• Serve as the primary interface between government customers, senior leadership, external partners and internal technical teams to ensure program objectives are achieved while strengthening long‑term relationships and strategic positioning.
• Build and sustain trusted relationships with senior customer leadership and key decision‑makers.
• Capture customer priorities, mission drivers, and emerging needs to inform program execution and future opportunities.
• Lead strategic engagements, capability briefings and roadmap discussions to align company offerings with customer priorities.

• Identify opportunities for program expansion, follow‑on work, and enhanced customer value.
• Actively identify and generate new business prospects through strategic sales and customer engagement activities.
• Support contract proposals and negotiations to include generation of products such as Work Breakdown Structure (WBS), Integrated Master Schedule (IMS) and Basis of Estimate (BOE).
• Develop long‑range objectives by assessing internal and external factors impacting growth and profitability.
• Monitor market trends, identify business opportunities, and evaluate strategic partnership and acquisition candidates.

• Develop and track profitability, productivity, and growth targets.
• Prepare acquisition proposals, recommend financial and nonfinancial strategic objectives and alternatives, and implement and maintain strategic and operational plans.
• Work with suppliers to ensure compliance with program objectives, performance expectations and contractual requirements.

• Bachelor’s Degree or Master’s Degree in a STEM‑related field with 5+ years of experience.
• Military experience and connections within Patuxent River, MD preferred.
• Demonstrated leadership of cross‑functional engineering teams to include systems, mechanical, electrical and software fields.
• Ability to travel.
• Ability to obtain Security Clearance, for which the United States Government requires United States citizenship.
• Proven execution of complex technical programs while maintaining cost and schedule.
• Demonstrated integration experience of various military systems (ideally of aircraft systems).
• Experience with the Systems Engineering Technical Review (SETR) Process and the Department of Defense (DoD) Acquisition Process.
• Experience with key program milestones to include Preliminary Design Review (PDR), Critical Design Review (CDR) and Production Readiness Review (PRR).
• Working knowledge of the FARs/DFAR/ITAR and other related regulations.
• Experience working with DCAA and DCMA.
• Experience with business capture and supporting proposal activities.
• Strong analytical problem‑solving skills.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.

• Comprehensive Leave plan (Paid Time Off)
• Comprehensive Health Care package including Medical, Vision, Dental, Health Savings Account (HSA), and more
• 401(k) retirement plan
• Paid Overtime
• Flex Time and Flexible Scheduling
• Opportunities to travel
• Tuition Reimbursement options
• Casual and relaxed work environment

Estimated salary range for this position is $130,000-$200,000.

KTS is an equal opportunity employer and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any kind. All applicants will be considered for employment without regards to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran or disability status, or any other segmenting characteristics protected by law.