Journeyman Program Manager

About the job

Expertise and Functions

Program & Acquisition Management

• Provide program-level acquisition support to the Program Manager (PM) and Integrated Product Team (IPT) Leads to ensure disciplined execution, acquisition battle rhythm, and delivery of warfighter capability

• Advise program leadership on overall program health and options to maintain cost, schedule, and performance objectives

• Interpret, coordinate, and execute acquisition project assignments; identify and resolve issues with significant impact to acquisition and sustainment efforts

• Compare program direction and plans for alignment and consistency across stakeholders

• Monitor and assess program integration plans and interface control between systems

Acquisition Strategy & Policy Compliance

• Plan, evaluate, and implement acquisition strategies across traditional acquisition, Middle Tier of Acquisition (MTA), and Urgent Capability pathways.

• Provide non-technical acquisition expertise and guidance in accordance with DoD and Air Force acquisition policies, directives, and instructions

• Identify and resolve policy disconnects; provide policy interpretation and recommendations to program leadership

• Track acquisition reform initiatives and recommend updates to programs impacted by policy changes

Contracting, RFP & Source Selection Support

• Provide program management inputs to RFPs, including system requirements, SOWs, SRDs, CDRLs, and evaluation criteria

• Develop source selection strategies and provide administrative and evaluation support.

• Review and track prime contractor deliverables, schedules, and contractual performance

• Draft contractual correspondence related to program management issues

Program Reporting & Senior Leadership Briefings

• Develop, prepare, and review acquisition reports and statutory documentation in support of milestone decisions and program oversight
• Support preparation of senior-level briefings, graphics, schedules, and program status updates
• Maintain recurring program documentation such as MARs, APBs, DAES inputs, SARs, and supplemental acquisition reports
• Utilize DoD-mandated and specialized systems to support reporting, documentation, and execution

Risk, Schedule & Performance Management

• Develop, maintain, and execute program risk management plans; facilitate risk identification, analysis, handling, and monitoring
• Support risk management boards and working groups; document outcomes and action items
• Analyze contractor and subcontractor risk management processes
• Coordinate with program scheduling personnel and correlate EVM cost performance data with Integrated Master Schedule (IMS) CDRLs

Financial & Funding Support

• Provide direct support for preparation and submission of funding documents, including purchase requests, MIPRs, and obligation/spend plans
• Support cost and schedule reduction initiatives across acquisition and development efforts
• Evaluate funding realism and cost impacts in support of acquisition strategies and execution decisions

Advisory & Leadership Support

• Provide expert acquisition and program management guidance to division chiefs and program/project managers
• Advise PMs on best-practice program management principles to improve processes, increase efficiency, and achieve cost avoidance
• Support life-cycle logistics considerations and operational supportability planning
• Other duties as assigned

This position requires 20% travel.

Requirements

Education/Training:

• Bachelor’s Degree preferred

Experience:

• 5+ years of general experience
• 3+ years working in the DoD sector

Technical Skills

• Provide program management support focused on cost, schedule, and performance for the E‑7 platform
• Track, analyze, and brief program metrics within established guidelines
• Apply DoD acquisition processes and program documentation standards relevant to AWACS modernization
• Use Microsoft Office Suite for reporting, scheduling, documentation, and communication
• Identify risks, troubleshoot issues, and recommend solutions across technical and programmatic areas

Interpersonal Skills

• *Communicate clearly and professionally in written and verbal formats with government and contractor teams *
• *Collaborate effectively with cross‑functional, geographically dispersed stakeholders supporting AWACS programs *
• *Work independently as a self‑starter while following established PM processes and guidelines *
• Demonstrate sound judgment, adaptability, and critical thinking when navigating evolving program needs
• Contribute positively to team dynamics, ensuring coordination across multiple major defense contractor partners

Security:

• Must be a US citizen
• Must have an active Secret clearance

Physical Requirements:

• Able to occasionally reach with hands and arms
• Prolonged periods of computer screen use, while sitting or standing at a desk
• Adhere to safety protocols when in work areas requiring use of PPE (e.g. eyewear, gloves, masks, hearing protection, steel toed shoes, etc.)
• Able to safely lift and carry up to 20 pounds at a time

Benefits

• Health Care Plan (Medical, Dental & Vision)
• Retirement Plan (401k, IRA)
• Life Insurance (Basic, Voluntary & AD&D)
• Paid Time Off (Vacation, Sick & Public Holidays)
• Short Term & Long Term Disability
• Training & Development
• Wellness Resources

Salary:

The projected salary range for this position is $104,000- $122,000. This is not a guarantee of compensation, rather actual salary will be based on experience, qualifications, and applicable certifications or degrees held. Offered salary may fall outside of this range.