Technical Program Manager-(Remote + Travel)

Fairwinds Technologies•Washington, DC

2d•$139,452 - $158,000•Hybrid

About The Position

Fairwinds Technologies is seeking a Technical Program Manager to lead execution across a portfolio of mixed-signal R&D and IR&D efforts involving RF systems, FPGA/firmware, software control, and integration and test. The role focuses on program execution, engineering cadence, and decision flow: aligning technical teams, managing dependencies, mitigating risks, and producing measurable, evidence-based outcomes. The TPM is not the technical authority but must be technically fluent enough to follow architecture discussions, manage cross-disciplinary dependencies, and translate engineering activity into actionable plans and leadership-ready reporting. The position supports multiple efforts, including DIU task orders and international deployment initiatives, and reports to the R&D Programs Director. It is primarily performed in a traditional office environment, with some remote or hybrid work possible. The role is based at Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland, with remote work and travel, including international deployment travel.

Requirements

Bachelor’s or master’s degree in Engineering, Telecommunications, Operations Management, Logistics, or a related field.
At least 8 years of experience in program management, project management, or operations coordination.
Experience managing cross-disciplinary teams involving RF, FPGA/firmware, software, and integration/test.
Ability to manage ambiguity and early-stage technical development.
Ability to manage multiple concurrent activities and stakeholders.
Strong communication and organizational skills.
Willingness to travel internationally; travel is expected to be 10–25%.
Must be eligible to work in the United States.
Must possess a Secret clearance and be able to obtain a Top Secret/SCI clearance.

Nice To Haves

Background in satellite communications, RF systems, networking, or telecommunications.
Familiarity with government or defense programs.
Experience with logistics or supply chain coordination.
Experience supporting DoD SBIR projects or similar government-funded R&D efforts.
Experience with mixed-signal, RF, FPGA-based, or embedded systems programs.
Familiarity with architecture trade studies and TRL-based development.

Responsibilities

Lead program execution across multiple mixed-signal R&D and IR&D efforts.
Maintain integrated schedules, milestones, and cross-team dependencies.
Facilitate recurring engineering cadence, including standups, reviews, integration-readiness activities, and risk reviews.
Drive action closure and capture technical and programmatic decisions.
Manage architecture trade studies, including option development, assumptions, decision criteria, and recommendation packages.
Coordinate internal and customer-facing technical reviews.
Ensure assumptions, constraints, and decisions are documented and traceable.
Coordinate international logistics, shipping, customs, and export-compliance activities with vendors and partners.
Support travel planning and deployment team coordination.
Interface with government representatives, local partners, host-nation entities, host organizations, and commercial site owners.
Track equipment inventory and configuration across deployment sites.
Assist with contingency planning for deployment delays, access issues, site issues, or emergent operational risks.
Maintain deployment risk and issue tracking.
Identify site-readiness or partner-execution risks and develop mitigation strategies.
Elevate critical blockers affecting deployment schedules.
Coordinate technical troubleshooting between engineering teams and on-site personnel.
Track labor and travel expenditures against plan.
Support bi-weekly program status reporting and task order execution tracking.
Maintain deployment documentation and configuration records.
Exercise direct supervisory responsibility.