Program Manager

Program Manager (PM)

KTS is seeking a Program Manager (PM) to provide oversight for defense contract programs. The PM 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.

• Lead the end-to-end execution and development of the program, establishing the foundational processes, schedules, and performance metrics needed for long term success.
• Manage overall cost and schedule performance to include the Contract Data Requirements List process, ensuring program execution aligns with contractual, financial, and operational commitments – to include pre‑award and proposal activities, requirements analysis, solution development, cost estimation, and proposal preparation.
• Comply with Federal Acquisition Regulations, Defense Federal Acquisition Regulations Supplement, and International Traffic in Arms Regulations.
• Interface directly with the customer to include the government Contracting Officer and/or Contracting Officer’s Representative to maintain strong relationships, provide regular updates, and ensure alignment on technical, schedule, and performance expectations.
• Demonstrate credibility with the customer through technical expertise and/or relevant military experience, serving as a trusted point of contact throughout the program lifecycle.
• Demonstrate an expert-level ability to brief senior military and corporate leadership on complex technical and financial statuses.
• Lead multidisciplinary teams, including engineering, operations, supply chain, and quality assurance to ensure cross functional alignment and timely execution of program objectives.
• Identify, assess, and manage program risks, developing mitigation strategies and ensuring proactive communication to stakeholders.

• Bachelor’s Degree or Master’s Degree in a S.T.E.M. related field with 5+ years of experience.
• Military experience and connections within Patuxent River, MD is 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 regulation.
• 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.

As required by law in this state, the estimated salary range for this position is $100,000–$150,000 and represents our good faith estimate of what our ideal candidates are likely to expect. We tailor our offers within the range based on organizational needs, internal equity, market data, geographic zone, and the selected candidate’s experience, education, industry knowledge, location, technical and communication skills, and other factors that may prove relevant during the selection process.

We are part of an SPX Technologies’ Communication Technologies platform in the Detection & Measurement business segment. KTS is focused in the defense industry specializing in Infrared Countermeasures (IRCM) systems, digital interoperability and networking, and program…