Program Manager-(Hybrid- Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD)
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 spanning RF systems, FPGA/firmware, software control, and integration and test activities. The role focuses on program execution, engineering cadence, and decision flow: aligning technical teams, managing dependencies, mitigating risks, and translating engineering progress into measurable, evidence-based outcomes. The TPM is not the technical authority but must be sufficiently technically fluent to follow architecture discussions, manage cross-disciplinary dependencies, and turn 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 requires direct supervisory responsibility and is primarily performed in a traditional office environment, with some remote or hybrid work possible. The role is full-time, exempt, Monday through Friday, 40 hours per week; occasional evening and weekend work may be required, with some flexibility in actual work hours. International travel of 25–50% is required.
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 across RF, FPGA/firmware, software, and integration/test.
- Proven 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, including deployment travel of 25–50%.
- 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, 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 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 delays, access issues, emergent operational risks, and site issues.
- 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.
- Assist with task order execution tracking.
- Maintain deployment documentation and configuration records.
- Provide direct supervision as required by the position.
Benefits
- Competitive salary and benefits package.
- Professional development and growth opportunities.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Senior
