Program Manager: Defense Programs

Program Manager (Senior)

DES, a company focused on engineering solutions in the defense sector, seeks an experienced Program Manager to lead engineering programs, manage budgets, schedules, staff, and client relationships.

• Lead the engineering and prototype projects with technical know-how and experience, including effective requirements analysis, decomposition, systems engineering, and technical management.
• Manage project teams through scrums, design reviews, and planning meetings to ensure all projects are completed on time and within budget.
• Create value‑added engineering products and prototypes for both internal and external customers.
• Effectively keep project teams on target and efficiently utilized on billable projects.
• Create design/project plans with the customer, track progress, and communicate status using the customer’s preferred method.
• Actively identify and mitigate project risks both technically and operationally.
• Support project teams by offering help and assistance, communicating effectively, and being flexible to necessary changes.
• Act without direction and seek opportunities to improve and reduce waste while understanding industry intricacies and proper conduct.
• Facilitate and encourage a culture of cross‑collaboration, open communication, and solutions‑oriented approaches to challenges.
• Collaborate with senior leadership to align staffing, recruiting, and retention strategies with organizational goals and strategy.
• Coordinate with departmental stakeholders to ensure alignment of organizational timelines and mutual goals.
• Work closely with Human Resources to lead the team with integrity, establishing a trusting, inclusive, and productive environment; this includes compensation, benefits, recognition, morale, occupational health and safety, and training and development.
• Coaching, teaching, mentoring, and advising Engineering Project Managers (EPMs) in the fundamentals of project management to ensure their proper development and successful completion of projects.

• Bachelor of Science in Engineering, Physical Sciences, Mathematics, Management Information Systems, or Business.
• Fifteen (15) years of technical experience in a relevant field such as Equipment Support, System Support, and Programmatic Support.
• Ten (10) years of Program Management experience, including technology assessments, systems design, systems analysis, programmatic support, acquisition planning, budget planning, and scheduling.
• Ten (10) years as a Program Manager supporting the Department of War.
• Experience managing programs under the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR), Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation (DFAR), and other Department of War procurement policies and procedures.

DES is an Equal Opportunity / Affinitive Action Employer. DES recognizes the value of diversity and is committed to inclusion in our workplace. Additionally, we are committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all individuals in all employment practices, including but not limited to recruitment, selection, hiring, employment, assignment, reassignment, training, promotion, transfer, compensation, benefits, discipline, termination, and any other personnel action or benefit without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, and gender identity, non‑binary gender designations, age, national origin, disability or handicap, pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions, including but not limited to lactation, genetic information, status as a member or veteran of the uniformed services, citizenship status, or any other characteristic or category protected by federal, state, or local law.