Program Manager

Akima, LLC•Colorado Springs, CO

25d•Onsite

About The Position

The Program Manager will serve as the contractor's primary point of contact and overall leader for the execution of the Ground-Based Electro-Optical Deep Space Surveillance System (GEODSS) Operations & Maintenance (O&M) contract supporting the U.S. Space Force's Space Domain Awareness (SDA) mission. This individual will provide strategic leadership and operational oversight for a geographically dispersed workforce responsible for the 24/7 operation, maintenance, logistics, and sustainment of GEODSS sites located in New Mexico, Hawaii, and Diego Garcia. The Program Manager is accountable for ensuring mission readiness, contract compliance, customer satisfaction, financial performance, and successful execution of all contractual requirements while maintaining close collaboration with U.S. Space Force leadership and mission partners.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Physical Sciences, Business Administration, or a related discipline.
Minimum of 8–12 years of progressively responsible program management experience supporting DoD, aerospace, defense, or space operations programs.
Demonstrated experience managing large, geographically dispersed operational teams supporting mission-critical environments.
Experience supporting Space Domain Awareness (SDA), space surveillance, electro-optical sensor systems, or ground-based operational systems.
Strong knowledge of DoD acquisition, sustainment, and lifecycle support processes.
Experience managing complex operations involving maintenance, logistics, and technical support.
Excellent leadership, communication, customer engagement, and organizational skills.
Active Top Secret security clearance required; SCI eligibility or current SCI access preferred.

Nice To Haves

Project Management Professional (PMP), DAWIA certification, or equivalent program management certification preferred.
Experience supporting U.S. Space Force, Air Force Space Command, Space Systems Command, or Space Operations Command programs.
Knowledge of optical tracking systems, telescope operations, or space surveillance technologies.
Experience managing Operations & Maintenance (O&M) contracts exceeding $25M annually.
Familiarity with Earned Value Management (EVM), risk management frameworks, and continuous process improvement methodologies.
Experience supporting classified operations within high-security government environments.

Responsibilities

Serve as the primary point of accountability for overall contract performance, including cost, schedule, quality, risk, and customer satisfaction.
Lead all aspects of contract execution supporting continuous 24/7/365 global deep-space surveillance operations.
Ensure operational readiness and mission success across all GEODSS operational sites.
Develop and implement program strategies, performance objectives, and continuous improvement initiatives.
Foster strong relationships with Government stakeholders and customer leadership.
Coordinate with U.S. Space Force Space Operations Command (SpOC), Space Systems Command (SSC), and other mission stakeholders.
Ensure timely and accurate delivery of optical tracking data supporting space object catalog maintenance and orbital awareness.
Support integration of GEODSS capabilities with the broader Space Domain Awareness enterprise, including sensor fusion and command and control (C2) networks.
Ensure mission priorities are met while maintaining high operational availability.
Provide oversight of operations and maintenance activities for electro-optical telescopes, sensors, and supporting ground systems.
Manage preventive and corrective maintenance programs to maximize equipment reliability and system availability.
Ensure compliance with Technical Orders (TOs), maintenance procedures, calibration standards, cybersecurity requirements, and COMSEC policies.
Oversee logistics planning, supply chain coordination, and equipment lifecycle management.
Lead and manage geographically dispersed teams operating in remote and secure locations.
Ensure staffing levels, certifications, qualifications, and shift coverage requirements are consistently maintained.
Promote a culture of operational excellence, safety, accountability, and continuous improvement.
Mentor supervisors and technical staff while supporting employee development and retention initiatives.
Manage overall contract performance, budgets, funding execution, and financial forecasting.
Monitor program metrics, key performance indicators (KPIs), and service level requirements.
Support Earned Value Management (EVM), program reviews, executive briefings, and customer reporting.
Oversee subcontractor performance and vendor relationships to ensure successful contract execution.
Ensure compliance with DoD, U.S. Space Force, federal regulations, and company policies.
Maintain security requirements for classified environments, including Top Secret/SCI operations where applicable.
Identify operational, technical, staffing, logistics, and supply chain risks and implement mitigation strategies.
Support quality assurance, audits, inspections, and continuous process improvement initiatives.