Acquisition Program Manager

Air Force Research Laboratory; Dayton (OH); On-site; USD 95,000 - 135,000; Full time

Job summary

Air Force Research Laboratory in Ohio seeks an Acquisition Program Manager to lead complex DoD programs within the AFRL Technology Transition Office. You will oversee WARTECH and Vanguards pipelines, guide systems engineering, and manage cost estimates, schedules, and risk.

The role requires strong leadership, strategic thinking, and collaboration with government and industry teams. You will advise SMEs, coordinate funding requests, and ensure timely capability transitions while adhering to DoD

Qualifications

• U.S. Citizenship required.
• Top Secret/SI clearance capable.
• Experience leading complex technology programs.
• Ability to translate SME input into program strategy.

Responsibilities

• Directs acquisition programs and transition-planning processes.
• Leads high-visibility Vanguard and WarTech initiatives.
• Advises SMEs and coordinates cost estimates, schedules and risk.
• Establishes cadence, milestones and accountability for program success.
• Develops contracting strategies and oversees contractor execution.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Teamwork

Execution

Adaptability

Collaboration

Education

Bachelor’s or Master’s degree

Job description

OPEN TO ALL QUALIFIED US CITIZENS. This announcement will be accepting applications until 11:45 PM EST, 22 October 2026.

Job Overview

The AFRL Technology Transition Office (TTO), Advanced Technology Development (ATD) Division seeks to fill a DO-02 (GS-12/13 or equiv)/DO-03 (GS-14 or equiv) position of Acquisition Program Manager located at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio.

Position Duties Include, But Are Not Limited To

• WARTECH Pipeline: Directs the systems engineering and transition-planning processes required to take early-stage concepts and build them into executable, transformational, and transition-ready acquisition programs.
• Vanguard Pipeline: Leads high-visibility DAF Vanguards and Vanguard Prospects through system-level experimentation, advanced technology demonstration, and accelerated transition to operational programs.
• Provides advice and counsel to subject-matter experts from across AFRL.
• Assesses technical and operational challenges and identifies comprehensive acquisition approaches for rapid program stand up, execution, and capability transition.
• Sets a vision for success and establishes programmatic cadence to track, evaluate, and manage the program.
• Utilizes novel and creative acquisition approaches to meet pressing warfighter needs; applies best-known acquisition, contracting and finance approaches for rapid capability development within an agile program execution framework.
• Works with program team to produce cost estimates and POM inputs supporting programmatic needs; advocates for funding and executes dollars in accordance with the DoD Financial Management Regulation (FMR).
• Leads multidisciplinary teams in the planning, creation, and execution of program schedules; identifies key milestones, delivery dates and technology transition timelines; utilizes schedule to track and communicate programmatic progress.
• Leads program teams in the creation and execution of contracts supporting programmatic objectives.
• Establishes processes to identify, manage, and adequately communicate programmatic risks to leadership.
• Regularly interface with leadership and staff to establish strategies and plans and achieve objectives set forth in ATD strategy within the prescribed timeline.
• Integrates the efforts of government staff and contractor teams both internally and externally.
• Provides technical and programmatic guidance to team members regarding program issues and promotes team building internal and external to the program.
• Builds team cohesion with internal members and external stakeholders; garners support for execution and smooth transition from future transition partners and the user community.
• Builds team cohesion and collaboration across the executing organizations (Government and Industry).

Establishes Various Management Tools And Processes To

• Track obligations/expenditures.
• Update schedules and track progress to milestones.
• Identify resource gaps (funding, people, space etc.).
• Receive and evaluate contract deliverables.
• Steer contractor execution.
• Respond to AFRL and Pentagon taskers.
• Manage dependencies and risk.

Required Qualifications

• U.S. Citizenship: Required for all applicants.
• Security Clearance: Must be able to obtain and maintain a Top Secret / Sensitive Compartmented Information (TS/SCI) clearance.
• Drug Testing: Incumbent may be subject to random drug testing as a condition of employment.
• Specialized Experience: Must have at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the DO-02 (GS-12/13 or equiv) grade level in Federal service.
• Specialized experience is defined as: Experience managing complex technology programs, guiding advanced programs through systems engineering and transition-planning processes (such as WARTECH), or leading high-visibility technology demonstrations (such as Vanguards). This includes directing program teams in the creation of cost estimates, financial execution plans, contracting strategies, program schedules, and risk management frameworks.

Desired Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in a relevant field obtained from an accredited academic institution.
• Leadership: Demonstrated ability to lead teams in rapidly standing up and executing high-visibility programs in dynamic, fast-paced environments.
• Technical Translation: Proven ability to translate complex technical requirements from subject-matter experts (SMEs) into executable Department of the Air Force (DAF) program strategies.
• Communication: Highly effective interpersonal, oral, and written communication skills.
• Teamwork: Self-motivated, team-oriented individual with a proven record of collaborative performance and mission success.
• Execution: Demonstrated accountability, strong attention to detail, and consistent follow-through on complex tasks.
• Adaptability: Exceptional flexibility and the ability to multitask, prioritize, and drive toward clarity and solutions within ambiguous, fast-moving environments.
• Collaboration: Excellent interpersonal skills with a proven ability to collaborate across diverse stakeholder groups, customers, and industry partners.

Telework

Yes, this position is eligible for situational telework; as determined by agency policy.

Eligible for a Referral Bonus?

No

Series

1101

Additional Information

• Telework & Residency: Position is eligible for situational telework; however, the incumbent must reside within the local commuting area of the assigned duty station (Wright-Patterson AFB, OH).

Resume requirement: Resume may not exceed two pages, and font size should be no smaller than 10pts. Resume with relevant start/end dates in MM/DD/YY format, per experience. Additional information on how to complete the two-page resume is located at https://help.usajobs.gov/faq/application/documents/resume/page-limit.

Transcripts/Latest SF-50 requirement: redact all Personally Identifiable Information (PII) (social security number, date of birth, etc.).