Principal Program Manager

Job Responsibilities

• Own execution of a portfolio of assigned programs across the full lifecycle, delivering to contractual cost, schedule, technical, and quality baselines.
• Lead proposal development, basis-of-estimate (BOE) generation, contract negotiation support, and program startup for follow-on and new business within the product line.
• Serve as the primary customer interface, managing contractual commitments, issue resolution, and ongoing customer relationships.
• Maintain credible budgets, estimates at completion (EACs), forecasts, and cash flow projections; deliver complete, on-time program review packages in accordance with the business rhythm.
• Own the program risk and opportunity register; drive mitigation plans and corrective actions to closure.
• Analyze and report program performance, including schedule, cost, and earned value metrics; present results and recovery plans to senior leadership.
• Ensure compliance with contractual requirements, government regulations, and company policies and procedures.
• Provide leadership to cross-functional teams, fostering collaboration across Engineering, Operations, Supply Chain, Finance, and Contracts.
• Drive material execution and resource planning; lead program closeout, including contract closure and lessons-learned capture.
• Represent the organization in customer meetings, program reviews, and executive briefings.
• Mentor and develop program managers within the product line, promoting consistent execution standards and supporting PM onboarding.
• Act as delegate for Director of Program in program reviews and customer engagements as required.
• Manage contract baseline changes, including identification of out-of-scope work and recovery through contract modification.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 10 years of progressive defense program management experience, including cost and schedule accountability for complex development and production programs.
• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Project Management or related field.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. Department of Defense security clearance.
• Strong leadership and management skills, prior people leadership experience is preferred.
• Experience throughout the program lifecycle from development through sustainment to include: proposal development, requirements decomposition, generation of system and subsystem statements of work and subcontracts.
• Demonstrated success in risk management and continuous improvement, including cost reduction and performance improvement initiatives.
• Proficiency in earned value management (EVM), cost accounting, and reporting, including metrics for assessing program progress, productivity, and variance analysis.
• Experience in finance, contracting, export regulations (ITAR/EAR), engineering, logistics, manufacturing and supply chain management.
• Strong problem-solving skills.
• Strong oral and written communication skills.
• Project Management Professional (PMP) or equivalent program management certification preferred.
• Experience with Navy/maritime power systems and NAVSEA or prime shipbuilder customers preferred.
• U.S. Citizenship required.

Benefits

Taking care of our people is a top priority at Leonardo DRS. We are proud to offer competitive salaries and comprehensive benefits, including medical, dental, and vision coverage, a company contribution to a health savings account, telemedicine, life and disability insurance, legal insurance, and a 401(k) savings plan. We champion wellness programs that focus on physical, emotional, and financial well-being. We develop our talent by offering programs and activities to support career-growth, professional development, and skill enhancement. And we understand there is more to life than work, and the importance of offering flexible work schedules with our 9/80 program, competitive vacation, health/emergency leave, paid parental leave, and community service hours.