Operating Unit Leader — Aviation & Transportation

Peraton•Reston, VA

5d•Onsite

About The Position

The Department of Transportation is running one of the most consequential IT modernization portfolios in the federal government — the enterprise systems behind highway safety, rail, transit, motor carrier oversight, pipeline and hazardous materials safety, maritime logistics, and vehicle safety, plus the airspace and air traffic systems on the aviation side. Peraton is hiring an Operating Leader to run the Aviation & Transportation Operating Unit — a FedCiv portfolio anchored at DOT and its operating administrations, with full P&L, delivery, and growth ownership. This role offers a unique opportunity to lead a multi-program book of business within the Federal Civilian sector, setting the operating rhythm, financials, and growth plan across the Aviation & Transportation portfolio. The position involves significant executive engagement, owning the portfolio's financial performance, and shaping investment decisions. The customer base includes key agencies like FHWA, FRA, FTA, FMCSA, NHTSA, MARAD, PHMSA, and the FAA, focusing on enterprise IT, mission systems, safety data platforms, cyber, and cloud modernization. There is a strong mandate for growth, requiring ownership of on-contract growth, recompete strategy, and adjacent capture efforts.

Requirements

18 years of professional experience, may have management experience
Minimum 8 years of Program Management experience, including financial oversight and reporting, resolving challenges, delivery optimization, and innovation.
Minimum 10 years of experience within the Department of Transportation and/or FAA client space, with in-depth knowledge of DOT and FAA mission, acquisition environment, and IT ecosystem.
Very strong business and technical acumen in programs delivering managed IT infrastructure services and agile development approaches.
Exceptional P&L management and program turnaround skill sets, with the ability to analyze complex operational environments.
Demonstrated successful track record of supporting and growing high-performing contracts.
Established commitment to innovation, diversity, and inclusion.
U.S. citizenship required; must be able to obtain and maintain a Public Trust.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in a related field.
Prior work on DOT operating administration mission systems (FHWA, FRA, FTA, FMCSA, NHTSA, MARAD, PHMSA) — safety data platforms, grants management, enterprise IT, and cyber — and/or FAA programs (e.g., NAS modernization, NextGen, ATC systems, FAA enterprise IT, aviation cyber).
Cloud delivery experience at scale (AWS GovCloud, Azure Government) and Zero Trust adoption in DOT/FAA environments.
Existing relationships across DOT and FAA OCIO leadership and the broader transportation customer community.
PMP, SAFe, or equivalent certifications.

Responsibilities

Own P&L for the Aviation & Transportation Operating Unit — revenue, margin, EAC, bookings, and cash — across all programs in the book.
Set the operating cadence: monthly program reviews, financial forecasting, staffing and hiring plans, risk and opportunity management, and corrective action when programs go yellow.
Serve as Peraton's senior executive relationship with DOT and its operating administrations — CIOs, program executives, contracting officers, and mission leadership across FHWA, FRA, FTA, FMCSA, NHTSA, MARAD, PHMSA, and the FAA.
Lead a team of program managers, delivery directors, and functional leads across managed IT infrastructure, Agile/SAFe delivery, cloud, cyber, and O&M.
Partner with FedCiv BD, capture, and solutioning to build the pipeline, shape recompetes, and manage new-business captures across the portfolio.
Own workforce strategy for the portfolio — hiring plans, retention, leadership bench, and critical-skill pipelines (cleared talent, cloud, cyber, transportation- and aviation-domain SMEs).
Drive delivery excellence: EVM discipline, subcontractor performance, CDRLs, ATO/RMF posture, and DOT/FAA compliance obligations.
Represent the portfolio in sector-level operating reviews and to corporate functions (Finance, HR, TA, Contracts, Security).