Program Manager, Defense R&D Subcontracts
About The Position
A nonprofit, Department of Defense-funded advanced-manufacturing consortium is seeking a Program Manager to oversee a portfolio of subcontracted technology development projects. The role manages external teams responsible for building project plans and ensures each project remains on scope, schedule, and budget. The position is a fully remote, 8–12 month W-2 contract with up to 25% travel. The Program Manager leads project kickoffs, establishes cost, schedule, and performance baselines, and maintains a regular review cadence with each performer. The role tracks contract milestones and deliverables, validates expenses, approves invoices and cost share, submits monthly spend plans, maintains a risk register, and escalates significant issues. It also leads program reviews, travels for site visits and demonstrations, prepares technical progress briefs and status reports for government stakeholders, and manages change requests and project closeout. Candidates should be able to run programs with light mentoring, build credibility with engineers on teams they do not manage, and raise problems early. A pre-employment background check and drug test are required after an offer and must be completed before the start date.
Requirements
- At least 5 years of program management experience, including oversight of multiple external performers or subcontractors.
- Defense program experience, including briefing government stakeholders.
- Hardware or hardware/software development background; an engineering starting point is ideal.
- Industry experience delivering technology toward market or field use.
- U.S. citizenship.
- Based in the Eastern or Mountain time zone.
- Strong Excel and Microsoft Office skills.
- Able to run programs with light mentoring, earn credibility with engineers on teams not directly managed, and raise problems early.
Nice To Haves
- Robotics, automation, or manufacturing experience.
- Federal cost-share and accrual tracking experience.
- Navy program experience.
- Familiarity with Jira and other project management tools.
- PMP.
Responsibilities
- Lead kickoffs and set cost, schedule, and performance baselines for each subcontracted project.
- Run twice-monthly meetings with each performer, including a technical deep dive and a PM-to-PM action review.
- Track milestones, blockers, and deliverables against contract requirements.
- Validate expense allowability, approve invoices and cost share, and submit monthly spend plans.
- Maintain a risk register and escalate high-impact issues in real time.
- Lead program reviews and travel for site visits and demonstrations.
- Write briefs and status reports that translate technical progress for government stakeholders.
- Manage change requests and project closeout.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Mid Level
Education Level
No Education Listed
