Program Manager, Defense R&D Subcontracts

Our client, a nonprofit, Department of Defense-funded advanced-manufacturing consortium, needs a Program Manager to oversee a portfolio of subcontracted technology development projects. You won't build the project plans yourself. You'll manage the external teams who do, keeping each project on scope, schedule, and budget. This is a fully remote, 8–12 month W-2 contract with up to 25% travel.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Lead kickoffs and set cost, schedule, and performance baselines for each subcontracted project.
• Run a twice-monthly cadence with each performer: a technical deep dive and a PM-to-PM action review.
• Track milestones, blockers, and deliverables against contract requirements.
• Validate expense allowability, approve invoices and cost share, and submit monthly spend plans.
• Maintain a risk register and escalate high-impact issues in real time.
• Lead program reviews and travel for site visits and demonstrations.
• Write briefs and status reports that translate technical progress for government stakeholders.
• Manage change requests and project closeout.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• 5+ years of program management, including oversight of multiple external performers or subcontractors.
• Defense program experience, including briefing government stakeholders.
• Hardware or hardware/software development background, ideally starting in engineering.
• Industry experience delivering technology toward market or field use.
• U.S. citizenship; based in the Eastern or Mountain time zone.
• Strong Excel and Microsoft Office skills.

NICE-TO-HAVE

• Robotics, automation, or manufacturing experience.
• Federal cost-share and accrual tracking.
• Navy program experience.
• Familiarity with Jira and other PM tools; PMP.

IDEAL CANDIDATE
You run your own programs with light mentoring, earn credibility with engineers on teams you don't manage, and raise problems early.

This position will require a pre-employment background check and drug test to be administered by the clients preferred partners. All screening is required to be completed prior to start but will not be conducted until an offer has been made.