Program Manager of Defense & National Security

About the role

This is a limited term appointment; continuation of employment is contingent upon the availability of funding. The position is located in Huntsville, AL, within Auburn University’s Office of the Senior Vice President for Research and Economic Development and the Applied Research Institute (ARI). The Program Manager, Defense & National Security will oversee and execute a portfolio of complex defense, national security, and research programs supporting the U.S. Department of War (DoW) and other federal sponsors. Responsibilities include leading multidisciplinary projects from initiation to completion, ensuring technical, operational, schedule, cost, quality, and compliance objectives are met while aligning with sponsor requirements and strategic organizational goals. The role involves close collaboration with technical directors, principal investigators, laboratory operations personnel, engineers, and external stakeholders to coordinate program activities that support advanced defense and national security research, testing, evaluation, and laboratory operations. Leadership is provided for project planning, resource management, risk mitigation, customer engagement, and program execution across highly technical environments, including radiation effects testing and other specialized research capabilities. The Program Manager serves as the primary interface between sponsors, researchers, technical staff, and business operations to ensure successful project delivery, operational readiness, and continuous improvement of research and testing capabilities. Additionally, the role collaborates with business development and capture teams to identify growth opportunities, support proposal development, and expand strategic partnerships within the defense and national security sectors. Key duties encompass managing project schedules, budgets, contractual requirements, and deliverables; coordinating maintenance, modernization, and operational readiness activities for critical laboratory infrastructure and equipment; supporting installation and integration of new test capabilities; facilitating stakeholder communications; ensuring compliance with safety, security, regulatory, and sponsor requirements; and supporting workforce development through mentoring and training of engineers, technicians, and students.

Responsibilities

• Serves as the primary execution lead for all assigned DoW contracts in the ARI National Security Portfolio.
• Manages program scope, schedule, budget, and deliverables in compliance with sponsor requirements.
• Tracks and reports program status using standardized Program Manager Office (PMO) controls which includes Work Breakdown Structure (WBS), schedules, risk registers, performance metrics.
• Conducts monthly internal reviews and prepare inputs for Quarterly Business Reviews (QBRs) with sponsors.
• Manages subcontractors, partners, and vendors in alignment with contract obligations.
• Works closely with the Senior Technical and Lab Director and technical leads to ensure technical work is delivered to sponsor expectations.
• Supports the Director of National Security with Business Development and Capture to identify growth opportunities within the portfolio.
• Provides program execution inputs to proposals, including staffing plans, schedules, and past performance data.
• Maintains strong relationships with DoW, contracting officers, and technical sponsors.
• Ensures issues, risks, and changes are communicated promptly to both sponsors and internal leadership.
• Serves as the “face” of the ARI National Security program execution for assigned defense and federal accounts.
• Leads project staff assigned to programs within the portfolio. Provides direction, set priorities, and ensure accountability. Mentors junior staff and foster a culture of disciplined delivery and mission focus.

Qualifications

• Must be a U.S. Citizen
• Bachelor's degree in Business, Engineering, Cybersecurity, or related field
• 7 years of experience managing programs or projects in U.S. government contracting

Pay

Budgeted salary range: $97,740–$162,240

Benefits

• Life‑Changing Impact: work changes lives through research, instruction, and outreach, making a lasting impact on students,