Federal Project Manager (Secret Clearance Required)

VectorUSA • San Diego, CA

5d • Onsite

About The Position

VectorUSA is seeking a Federal Project Manager based in its San Diego, California office to lead complex federal projects. The position covers project planning and execution, technical leadership, logistical coordination, financial and contractual administration, compliance tracking, and support for onsite engineering and field teams. The role works with federal agencies including the Air Force, Army, Coast Guard, Marine Corps, Navy, and Veterans Administration.

The manager may be assigned projects, sites, workstreams, geographic areas, or portions of a larger program. Depending on program structure, they may serve as the primary Project Manager or as part of a program team, potentially with a dotted-line reporting relationship to a Senior Project Manager, Program Manager, or other designated project leader. Regardless of assignment structure, the role requires the capability to independently carry out the full responsibilities of a Federal Project Manager and assume primary responsibility for a federal project when assigned.

The position is based full-time in VectorUSA’s San Diego office. After six months, eligibility for remote or partial remote work may be assessed at management’s discretion based on performance and project needs. Travel is required to client locations and project sites, including Naval ports in the United States and potentially ports outside the United States. Travel may account for 50% of the employee’s time during the initial project and may change as projects evolve. Mileage compensation is offered, with potential car allowances as travel requirements increase.

The role requires an active Secret clearance and recent experience managing federal projects, including understanding federal contracting, funding and authorization controls, invoicing support, change management, documentation, and closeout. The position manages projects involving networking, cybersecurity, fiber, servers, firewalls, security cameras, and video management systems. It also uses Excel, Microsoft Project, and ProCore; training is provided for candidates unfamiliar with ProCore. VectorUSA offers a project bonus tied to project financial performance, benefits, and professional development opportunities.

Requirements

• Active Secret Clearance.
• At least 8 years of recent experience managing federal projects.
• Understanding of federal contracting and billing processes, including contract requirements, funding and authorization controls, invoicing support, change management, documentation, and project closeout.
• Proficiency in Cisco and Aruba networking, Aruba ClearPass, Cisco ISE, Fortinet, and Cisco ASA.
• Demonstrated experience with federal projects involving OSP/ISP fiber installations, network core and edge equipment installation, network server deployment, and cybersecurity implementations.
• Strong project management skills in budgeting, scheduling, scope management, risk mitigation, change control, financial forecasting, billing coordination, and project closeout.
• Expertise in IT wireless and networking, network infrastructure, cybersecurity protocols, and fiber installation.
• Familiarity with CAD and drawings.
• Familiarity with ISO 9001 and NIST frameworks, federal compliance standards, and documentation practices for audit-ready federal projects.
• Excellent communication and client relationship management skills, including experience working with federal agencies.
• Ability to travel to client locations and project sites; travel may be 50% of the employee’s time during the initial project.
• Ability to provide a written example of navigating an ambiguous situation and developing a solution to maintain a schedule.

Nice To Haves

• Degree in Project Management, Information Technology, Engineering, or a related field.
• PMP (Project Management Professional) certification.
• CISSP (Certified Information Systems Security Professional), particularly for cybersecurity, secure-network, or federal information-system projects.
• Experience supporting DoD or other federal agency contracts.
• Shipboard or maritime vessel experience.
• Ability to contribute hands-on when reviewing technical drawings and documentation.
• Experience with ProCore; training is available for candidates unfamiliar with the platform.

Responsibilities

• Lead federal projects through planning, execution, and closeout, aligning work with client goals, schedules, and budgets.
• Develop and maintain project plans covering scope, budgets, schedules, milestones, contract deliverables, billing milestones, and closeout requirements.
• Track project KPIs, including budget adherence, schedule, scope, quality, billing status, committed costs, forecast-to-complete, and financial performance.
• Coordinate daily status updates, in-briefs, and out-briefs, and present project updates and findings to executive-level stakeholders.
• Manage project paperwork, drawings, and technical documentation; obtain required signatures and ensure documents are scanned and stored correctly.
• Support onsite engineers with logistical planning and coordinate on-site project activities.
• Review technical drawings and documentation for accuracy; hands-on technical contribution is a plus.
• Manage projects involving Cisco and Aruba wired and wireless networking, cybersecurity solutions including Fortinet and Cisco ASA, and Aruba ClearPass or Cisco ISE.
• Oversee installations of outside-plant and inside-plant fiber, network servers, firewalls, security cameras, and related video management systems.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for federal clients and maintain effective communication throughout each project.
• Provide stakeholders regular reporting on progress, risks, financial status, contract changes, billing requirements, and project adjustments.
• Coordinate travel between the San Diego office, client locations, and project sites, including Naval ports.
• Ensure project activities comply with ISO 9001, NIST frameworks, and applicable federal security and compliance requirements.
• Maintain documentation and reporting for federal compliance, audit readiness, and quality assurance.
• Monitor budgets, billing, cost-to-complete, schedules, milestone and critical-path progress, scope, and contract deliverables.
• Proactively manage and mitigate project risks, escalate issues as needed, and maintain accountability for project deliverables.
• Use Excel and Microsoft Project for budget management, scheduling, and task tracking, and use ProCore as the primary project management platform.
• Navigate ambiguous situations and develop solutions to maintain schedules.

Benefits

• Performance-based project bonus tied to project financial objectives.
• Medical insurance.
• Dental insurance.
• Vision insurance.
• Training and development opportunities, including ProCore platform training and certification.
• Career advancement opportunities.
• Potential eligibility for remote or partial remote work after six months, based on performance, project requirements, and management discretion.
• Compensation for travel mileage, with potential car allowances as travel requirements increase.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed