Program Manager, Defense Contracts

Description

The company builds distributed power generators that can run on a range of fuel sources, aiming to keep energy production clean, flexible and affordable as the energy market changes.

This role leads the company's government and defense programs from opportunity review and proposal work through contract delivery. You will act as the main customer contact for assigned programs and coordinate engineering, operations, finance, business development, supply chain and outside partners to turn customer requirements into workable plans.

The team uses AI tools across its work and expects you to use them to move faster and tackle harder problems.

Responsibilities

• Plan and run government and military programs, coordinating internal teams, suppliers and outside stakeholders.
• Read solicitations, contracts, statements of work, specifications and customer commitments, then turn them into a requirements and deliverables matrix, work plans, schedules, named owners and acceptance criteria.
• Build and maintain integrated schedules, including Gantt charts, and track milestones, dependencies, decisions, risks, issues and corrective actions. Spot schedule or delivery problems early and write recovery plans.
• Keep requirements and specifications matched to system designs and customer expectations, and track hardware, software and system deliverables through prototype and production.
• Be the day-to-day contact for government program offices, contracting officers and technical points of contact, making sure customer priorities shape program execution.
• Run internal and customer program reviews. Prepare status material on technical progress, schedule, deliverables, risks and spending, with weekly health updates and monthly reports where required.
• Forecast program spend and track actual costs, commitments and variances with Finance, ensuring financial data meets customer reporting rules.
• Work directly with customers, Tier 1 suppliers and outside stakeholders to fix delivery issues, clear blockers and keep commitments on track.
• Take part in reviewing government contracting opportunities and plan proposal schedules and inputs.
• Lead writing, editing, coordinating and submitting proposals and other responses, including SBIR proposals, BAAs, white papers and related government requests.
• Gather technical, programmatic, cost, schedule and compliance input from internal teams and partners, making sure submissions meet solicitation requirements and deadlines.
• Maintain contract requirement matrices, supporting records and audit trails, and track reporting and other contract obligations to completion.
• Coordinate DCAA audits, prepare people for process reviews, document findings and deficiencies, and track and report corrective actions.
• Manage required PIEE workflows, including WAWF and SPRS, and administer the SAM.gov account and annual representations and certifications.
• Work with Finance on government accounting, rate proposals, contract cost tracking and FAR/DFARS processes and training.
• Coordinate with IT, security and other support teams on cybersecurity and support-service requirements for government contracts.
• Take on other duties as assigned or needed for the business.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in engineering, business or a related field.
• At least five years in government program or project management, government contract execution, proposal development or a similar role.
• Experience with government compliance, reporting or audit work is preferred.
• Experience in a technology environment is preferred.
• Project Management Professional (PMP) certification is preferred.
• Strong program management skills, covering scope, requirements, schedules, costs, risks and deliverables.
• Clear, concise writing that produces persuasive proposals and accurate program reports.
• Technical aptitude and a track record of solving complex problems.
• Working knowledge of government contracting, and the ability to learn and apply contract, reporting and compliance rules.
• Experience with program management tools and Microsoft Office.
• Works well with others, keeps commitments, adapts to shifting priorities and meets agreed deadlines in a fast-paced setting.
• Communicates well with customers, internal teams, suppliers and outside partners.
• Experience with high-voltage systems and their safety protocols.
• Able to travel up to 10% to visit customers, engineering providers and hardware suppliers.
• The company is not accepting candidates who will require sponsorship for this role at this time.

Conditions

Salaried, exempt-level position.

Usually based in an office, but also exposed to operations, warehouse and production environments given the nature of the business.

Benefits

• Medical plans with PPO or HDHP options.
• Dental plans with a buy-up option.
• Vision plan.
• Life insurance and accidental death and dismemberment plans, with buy-up options.
• Short-term and long-term disability, paid for by the company.
• Flexible spending account (FSA) and health savings account (HSA).
• 401(k) and Roth 401(k).
• Voluntary accident, critical illness and hospital indemnity plans.