Project Manager, Acceptance

J.D. Irving, Limited; Dartmouth; On-site; CAD 80,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

A defense contracting company in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia is seeking a skilled Project Manager, Acceptance to lead Validation and Acceptance activities for the River Class Destroyer program. This role requires a strong background in defense contracting and project management, with responsibilities including stakeholder management and compliance with government regulations. The ideal candidate will have 7–10 years of experience in similar roles and a relevant degree. This position requires full-time, in-office presence.

Qualifications

• 7–10 years of experience in defense contracting, ideally in naval/maritime programs.
• PMP certification is an asset.
• Proven experience in scheduling, budgeting, and performance tracking.

Responsibilities

• Lead stakeholder reviews across scope, cost, schedule, and risk.
• Develop and communicate performance measures to stakeholders.
• Manage change impacts across the enterprise.

Skills

Project management principles

Defense contracting

Risk management

Scheduling

Budgeting

Education

Post-secondary degree in business, engineering, or related field

Tools

Lean Six Sigma

Job description

We are seeking a skilled Project Manager, Acceptance to lead the Validation and Acceptance activities for the River Class Destroyer (RCD) program. This role blends technical expertise in defense contracting with disciplined project management to ensure successful delivery of whole-ship acceptance milestones.

You will manage performance tracking, change control, and reporting, while driving quality, risk mitigation, and process improvements. Working closely with internal teams and external stakeholders, you’ll ensure acceptance criteria are clearly defined, governed, and executed to standard.

Qualifications

• Post-secondary degree in business, engineering, or related field.
• 7–10 years of experience in defense contracting, ideally in naval/maritime programs.
• Strong knowledge of project management principles; PMP certification is an asset.
• Continuous improvement certification (e.g., Lean Six Sigma) is an asset.
• Proven experience in scheduling, budgeting, risk management, and performance tracking.
• 5+ years in project management within defense/design/construction industries.
• Experience in ship delivery, transition, and acceptance for major programs.

Due to the nature of work Irving Shipbuilding does, all successful applicants must meet requirements for the Canadian Controlled Goods Program (CGP), Canadian Government Security clearance, and U.S. International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR).

Please note this position requires a full-time, in-office presence.

Responsibilities

• Lead stakeholder reviews across scope, cost, schedule, and risk.
• Develop and communicate performance measures to internal and external stakeholders.
• Serve as SME for Validation and Acceptance, establishing governance structures.
• Manage change impacts across the enterprise.
• Analyze data to identify root causes and recommend solutions.
• Ensure compliance with ISI regulations, policies, and procedures.
• Provide leadership to project teams and contribute to continuous improvement.