Program Manager I/II

Primary Function

This leadership position requires a candidate who consistently demonstrates sound judgment, accountability, and Long Wave leadership behaviors. The successful candidate will excel in a fast-paced environment, managing diverse assignments while collaborating effectively across cross-functional teams and routinely interacting with customers, functional leadership, and executive management to ensure successful program execution.

Essential Responsibilities

• Lead all phases of assigned programs, ensuring successful execution in accordance with approved scope, schedule, budget, quality, and contractual requirements.

• Serve as the primary program lead, accountable for technical, cost, schedule, and quality performance while maintaining compliance with company policies and customer expectations.

• Develop and execute integrated Program Management Plans (PMPs) and program schedules, identifying risks, opportunities, and mitigation strategies to achieve program objectives.

• Monitor program financial performance, including budgets, forecasts, Estimates at Completion (EACs), Annual Operating Plan (AOP) commitments, and Earned Value Management (EVM) metrics, implementing corrective actions as needed.

• Execute program growth initiatives by identifying Engineering Change Proposals (ECPs), contract modifications, follow-on opportunities, and supporting business development, capture, and proposal activities.

• Build and maintain strong relationships with prime contractors, U.S. Government representatives, subcontractors, and industry partners to ensure successful program execution and support future business opportunities.

• Lead Integrated Product Teams (IPTs) and coordinate cross-functional execution across Engineering, Operations, Contracts, Finance, Supply Chain, Quality, Manufacturing, and other functional organizations.

• Identify and resolve program risks, issues, and execution challenges by developing and implementing effective mitigation and recovery plans.

• Conduct Program Management Reviews (PMRs), financial reviews, customer status meetings, executive briefings, and gate reviews, delivering clear and actionable program updates.

• Collaborate with functional leadership to ensure appropriate staffing, resource allocation, workforce planning, contract startup, and successful program execution.

• Foster a collaborative, high-performing team environment while demonstrating sound judgment, accountability, and Long Wave leadership behaviors.

• Travel approximately 25% as required to support customer engagements and program execution.

Work Conditions

Employee will be working within an office environment. Employee may be expected to travel on occasion to locations where specific PPE or attire is necessary.

Job Requirements

• Experience in Program Management, leading teams managing cost, schedule and technical performance

• Demonstrated experience in Earned Value Management and Profit & Loss management.

• Knowledge of all phases of DoD programs including engineering and manufacturing development (EMD), integration and test, production, and sustainment

• Expertise with the U.S. DoD acquisition process and organizations

• Typically requires a degree in Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics (STEM) and a minimum of 5 years of prior relevant experience

• Active and transferable U.S. government issued security clearance is required prior to start date. U.S. citizenship is required, as only U.S. citizens are eligible for a security clearance.

Preferred Requirements

• Experience managing U.S. Government prime contracts, including program execution, customer engagement, and contract performance

• Demonstrated ability to build and maintain effective relationships with government customers, prime contractors, subcontractors, and cross-functional teams

• Experience managing program cost, schedule, and technical performance using Earned Value Management (EVMS), Estimates at Completion (EACs), forecasting, and other program management best practices

• Experience leading engineering development, production, sustainment, or modernization programs involving hardware, software, or integrated systems

• Experience supporting business development, capture, proposal activities, and identifying program growth opportunities through Engineering Change Proposals (ECPs) or follow-on efforts

• Excellent leadership, communication, problem-solving, and presentation skills, including experience briefing customers and executive leadership

• Program Management certification (PMP, DAWIA, or equivalent) preferred

• Experience supporting classified U.S. Department of Defense programs, preferably within Nuclear Command, Control, and Communications (NC3), STRATCOM, E-4B, E-6B, or related strategic mission systems.

Position Benefits

• Competitive Salary

• Medical, Dental & Vision coverage

• 401k

• Educational Assistance

• Life Insurance

• Employee Assistance Programs & Work/Life Solutions

• Paid Time Off

Position Details

• The 9/80 schedule allows employees who work a nine-hour day Monday through Thursday to take every other Friday off.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Long Wave is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.