Program Manager - DARPA PSS

This position is contingent upon contract award with an anticipated start in March 2027 and a period of performance of 1 Base Year + 4 Option Years. Location: Arlington, Virginia.

About the role

Celestar, a B&A Company, is seeking a Program Manager to support the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) Program Security Services (PSS) task order.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the primary interface with the Government for all matters associated with contract execution.
• Exercise authority to select, hire, manage, and dismiss personnel as necessary to maintain contract performance.
• Ensure timely recruitment, onboarding, training, logistics and travel support, and retention of high-quality personnel across all contract positions.
• Notify the COR and Director, SID of employee resignations and personnel removals, including issues affecting clearance or access eligibility.
• Provide weekly status updates regarding vacant positions and coordinate Key Personnel vacancies with the appropriate SID Government lead.
• Proactively engage and support SID leadership and communicate issues that may affect SID operations or activities.
• Ensure proper accounting, inventory, purchasing, and disposition of Government-furnished equipment and consumable materials.
• Oversee required contract deliverables and present monthly performance metrics to the COR and Director, SID.

Requirements

• A Bachelor’s degree with 12 years of qualifying related experience or an Associate’s degree with 15 years of qualifying related experience.
• Recent experience managing a multidiscipline security organization supporting the Federal Government in a classified program environment; DoD or Intelligence Community experience is preferred.
• At least 5 years of experience directing and managing 75 or more personnel on a Federal Government support contract, in defense industry supporting federally funded programs, as a Federal civilian, or through military service.
• Expert leadership and mentorship capabilities.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills and ability to effectively interface with Government leadership.
• Research and development (R&D) management experience, highly desired.
• Active TS/SCI Clearance, adjudicated within the past five (5) years.

Pay

Salary Range: $180,000–$240,000 annually. Actual compensation will be based on experience, qualifications, certifications, security clearance, and contract funding.

Benefits

• Company-paid employee and family dental insurance.
• Company-paid employee health insurance.
• Company-paid life insurance and disability coverage.
• 401(k)-retirement plan with company matching.
• Paid holidays and personal time off.