Program Manager Journeyman

Applied Research Solutions•Bedford, MA

About The Position

Applied Research Solutions is seeking a Program Manager – Journeyman to support Air Force acquisition initiatives focused on operational capabilities and mission readiness. The position works with program leadership on acquisition planning, program execution, risk management, budgeting, and program health. It provides acquisition and program-management support to Air Force program offices, helping leadership address cost, schedule, performance, and execution challenges. The role supports acquisition strategies and documentation, program status briefings and schedules, funding activities, reporting, and risk-management processes. It coordinates with program scheduling personnel, contractors, subcontractors, and other stakeholders, and uses required program and financial management systems. Over the first 90 days, the employee will learn the program and its priorities, take on documentation and reporting support, and progress toward independently managing assigned program-support activities. The role is expected to provide practical recommendations that improve program visibility, decision-making, and execution. Applicants must be U.S. citizens with an active Secret clearance and 10 years of program support experience, including at least three years supporting DoD programs. A bachelor’s degree is preferred. The stated annual salary range is $120,000–$150,000, dependent on role responsibilities and the candidate’s experience and qualifications. Employment is contingent on successful completion of a background investigation, including criminal history and identity checks.

Requirements

U.S. citizenship.
10 years of program support experience, including at least 3 years supporting DoD programs.
Active Secret Security Clearance.
Comprehensive knowledge of DoD systems acquisition and program-management principles, policies, and practices, including DoDI 5000.02 and DoDI 5000.75.
Understanding of DoD and Air Force organizational structures, roles, and program-office relationships.
Ability to work independently, apply established processes, troubleshoot challenges, and develop practical solutions.
Successful completion of a background investigation, including criminal history and identity check, is required for employment.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s degree preferred.

Responsibilities

Support acquisition and development efforts focused on reducing cost and schedule.
Provide acquisition and program-management support to Air Force program offices.
Monitor program health and advise leadership on cost, schedule, performance, and execution challenges.
Develop and support program-status briefings, schedules, and acquisition updates for senior leadership.
Provide program-management input for Requests for Proposals, including system specifications, System Requirements Documents, Statements of Work, and Contract Data Requirements Lists.
Review acquisition documents for accuracy, consistency, and programmatic alignment, including Acquisition Decision Memorandums, Life Cycle Sustainment Plans, Acquisition Strategies, Acquisition Program Baselines, Risk Management Plans, and Program Management Reviews.
Prepare and support acquisition reports and milestone documentation in accordance with DoDI 5000.02 and applicable regulations.
Apply DoD and Air Force acquisition policies and guidance; identify policy gaps, interpret guidance, and recommend solutions.
Support the development and evaluation of acquisition strategies, including technical approaches, requirements, risk assessments, market research, deliverables, and cost, schedule, and performance considerations.
Support Urgent Capability Acquisitions and Middle Tier of Acquisition efforts in accordance with DoDI 5000.80 and DoDI 5000.81.
Coordinate with program scheduling personnel to support integrated program schedules and execution.
Develop and maintain program risk-management plans; facilitate risk identification, analysis, mitigation, and monitoring.
Support risk-management boards and working groups, document outcomes, and evaluate contractor and subcontractor risk-management processes.
Prepare and maintain acquisition reports, including Monthly Activity Reports, Source Approval Requests, Defense Acquisition Executive Summaries, and Acquisition Program Baselines.
Support acquisition reporting for ACAT I, II, and III programs in accordance with applicable DoD and Air Force guidance.
Use required program and financial management systems, including Microsoft Office, IDECS, EDA, CCaR, and other mandated applications.
Prepare and submit funding documentation, including Purchase Requests, Military Interdepartmental Purchase Requests, and Purchase Orders.
Interpret and coordinate acquisition project assignments, identify execution challenges, and recommend solutions to the Government Program Manager.
Coordinate effectively with program-office personnel, contractors, and other stakeholders.
Perform other duties as assigned.