TSA Program Manager

About the role

Battelle is seeking an experienced Program Manager to lead execution of work supporting the Transportation Security Administration’s (TSA) Open Architecture (OA) initiative, advancing a secure, interoperable, vendor-agnostic transportation security screening ecosystem. The program spans a broad, multi-year portfolio of testing, evaluation, standards, data management, and systems-integration activities executed nationwide. This is a hybrid position located in the Washington, DC metropolitan area (National Capital Region). This is a high-impact leadership role for a professional with deep experience managing complex Federal programs, leading multidisciplinary technical teams, and delivering high-quality performance in regulated, mission-critical environments. The successful candidate will serve as the single program-level point of contact and will be responsible for program execution, staffing, quality, compliance, customer engagement, and overall contract performance across multiple concurrent Mission Support Areas (MSAs).

Responsibilities

• Serve as the single program-level point of contact and lead execution across all Open Architecture Mission Support Areas, ensuring delivery aligns with contract scope, schedule, quality, staffing, and cost expectations.
• Serve as the primary interface with TSA stakeholders – including the Contracting Officer (CO), Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR), and Government technical leads – as well as industry, OEM, and standards-body stakeholders, while maintaining disciplined scope control and contract compliance.
• Direct and manage cross-functional matrixed teams supporting DICOS data management, detection algorithm and evaluation-framework activities, Common Workstation standardization, Threat Image Projection, image quality standards, and open architecture development on a nationwide basis.
• Develop, maintain, and execute the Program Management Plan (PMP) and an Integrated Master Schedule (IMS) for each MSA, managing performance, risk, staffing, and subcontractor coordination against them.
• Plan and lead program kickoff meetings, quarterly Program Management Reviews (PMRs), and recurring conference calls; prepare and deliver technical progress reports, weekly IMS/POA&M updates, and the Monthly Contractor Status Report (CSR).
• Maintain the Program Deliverables List (PDL) and ensure timely, compliant submission and secure storage of all contract deliverables.
• Coordinate program logistics, Government-furnished equipment (GFE)/Government-furnished information (GFI), site access, and travel required to support test, evaluation, and integration activities.
• Ensure full compliance with applicable TSA, DHS, FAR, HSAR, security, privacy, and information-handling requirements, including Zero Trust and cybersecurity (RMF) safeguards for program data, algorithms, and systems.
• Build and sustain a strong workforce by overseeing staffing plans, recruitment, retention, and human-resource management, and ensure workforce readiness across a diverse set of technical environments.
• Oversee safety and quality performance and ensure implementation of robust quality-management approaches across laboratory, checkpoint, and field environments.
• Support program financial and contractual discipline, including invoice support, labor-category alignment, and documentation readiness, as well as internal financial forecasting and reporting.
• Coordinate closely with subcontracting partners to align scope, cost, schedule, and quality, and lead orderly program transition-in and transition-out activities.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, physical sciences, systems engineering, operations, program management, or a related field.
• A minimum of ten (10) years of program management experience, including at least five (5) years specializing in managing similar Federal programs of similar size and complexity.
• Familiarity with TSA, security screening technologies, and associated OA initiatives.
• Strong understanding of program controls, risk management, performance management, and contract compliance for large Federal programs.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including experience engaging with Federal clients and senior stakeholders.
• Ability to travel as required to support program needs, up to 25%.
• Sole US Citizenship with an active SECRET clearance or the eligibility and willingness to obtain and maintain a SECRET clearance, and to obtain and maintain TSA Suitability.

Preferred Qualifications

• Advanced degree in a relevant technical or management discipline.
• Active Project Management Professional (PMP) certification.
• Direct experience with security screening open architecture concepts, including DICOS, the Open Platform Software Library (OPSL), third-party detection algorithm evaluation, Common Workstation/Common GUI, Threat Image Projection, and image quality standards (e.g., ANSI N42.45, IEEE N42.59).
• Experience with developmental test and evaluation (DT&E), systems integration, and cybersecurity/Zero Trust (NIST RMF) in mission-critical Federal environments.
• Experience working with airports and managing airport-based logistics and installations.

Pay

The salary range for this role is $154,500 – $220,200 per year. A candidate's salary is determined by various factors, including but not limited to education, relevant work experience, skills, and certifications. Salary ranges may vary based on geographic location and market conditions.

Benefits

• Compressed work schedule: Most of our team follows a flexible, compressed work schedule that allows for every other Friday off.
• Hybrid work arrangement: Work 60% in-office and 40% remote, with Monday and Tuesday as common in-office days.
• Paid time off to support work-life balance.
• Medical, dental, and vision coverage with wellness incentives and benefits, plus a variety of optional supplemental benefits.
• Coverage for partners, gender-affirming care and health support, and family formation support.
• 401(k) retirement savings plan: For most employees, Battelle contributes 5 percent whether you contribute or not, and matches your contributions on top of that.
• Tuition assistance for pursuing higher education.