Acquisition Specialist/Program Manager

Tecolote Research, Inc.; Albuquerque (NM); On-site; USD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Major Medical Insurance

Dental Insurance

Vision Insurance

Life Insurance

Disability Insurance

Retirement plan

PTO and paid time off

Job summary

Tecolote Research, Inc. is seeking an experienced Senior Space Acquisition Program Manager in Albuquerque, NM. The role focuses on program management, technical integration, and space acquisition strategy within AFRL initiatives.

You will coordinate with government and industry to manage milestones, risks, and COAs, delivering clear senior-leader briefings. Requirements include advanced degrees or equivalent experience, DoD/AFRL space domain knowledge, and strong communication skills.

Qualifications

• Requires DoD/space domain experience and program management expertise.
• Strong written and verbal briefing skills for leadership.
• Experience with Agile methods and system integration.
• Ability to coordinate activities across government and industry partners.
• Develops and presents program documents and briefs.

Responsibilities

• Provide program management and integration across AFRL Space initiatives.
• Coordinate cross-functional activities with government and industry partners.
• Translate dense technical data into clear briefings and roadmaps.
• Monitor milestones and deconflict timelines across programs.
• Support development of actionable recommendations for senior leadership.

Skills

Program management

Space acquisition

DoD/AFRL experience

Agile / Scrum

System engineering

Technical briefing

Cross-functional collaboration

MS Project

Independent work

PM certifications (PMP/PSP/CCEA/CCP)

Education

Master's degree in Management, Business, Economics, Finance, Accounting, Mathematics, Science, Technology, Engineering, or Statistics

Bachelor’s Degree in any of these fields with 10 years of applicable experience

Tools

Microsoft Project

Microsoft Office Suite

SharePoint

Job description

The position requires at least 10-years of combined industry and government acquisition experience of which 5-years shall include duties/assignments specifically in support of DoW space acquisition programs. Master’s degree in Management, Business, Economics, Finance, Accounting, Mathematics, Science, Technology, Engineering, or Statistics OR a Bachelor’s Degree in any of these fields and 10 years of experience that directly applies to fulfilling the required skills identified below.

Responsibilities

• The applicant will provide comprehensive program management and technical integration across Air Force Research Lab (AFRL) Space Warfare Directorate (AFRL/RJ) initiatives, directly supporting space acquisition strategy, program management, and various programmatic functions.
• Because each of these programmatic pillars shares complex, critical dependencies, the applicant will serve as the essential integration point to anticipate bottlenecks, deconflict timelines, and evaluate Courses of Action (COAs) addressing multifaceted technical, fiscal, and resource challenges.
• Collaborating across laboratory, engineering, test, and industry stakeholders, candidate will drive projects spanning operational exercises, demonstrations, experimentation, and system resiliency while partnering with the AFRL program stakeholders to advance hybrid space architectures, resilient data transport, and system characterization.
• Applicant will translate dense technical and programmatic data into clear briefings, strategic roadmaps, and actionable recommendations for senior Government leadership and multi-organizational working groups.
• The applicant will understand cross-functional dependencies, monitor milestones, and periodically spearhead projects to help ensure the space enterprise delivers resilient warfighting capabilities in accordance with the Government’s direction.

Skills Required

• Experience supporting DoW Science & Technology (S&T), acquisition, operational, or program management organizations
• Experience with military space, communications, or related systems
• Experience or knowledge of systems engineering and software development using Agile methodologies, including Scrum and sprint-based development practices.
• Experience supporting user integration, exercises, demonstrations, testing, or capability development
• Ability to coordinate technical and programmatic activities across multiple Government and industry organizations
• Experience developing and presenting technical briefings, recommendations, and program documentation
• Strong written, verbal, analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills
• Proficiency with Microsoft Project, Microsoft Office Suite and SharePoint
• Ability to work independently and as part of an integrated Government/contractor team
• Master’s degree in Management, Business, Economics, Finance, Accounting, Mathematics, Science, Technology, Engineering, or Statistics OR a Bachelor’s Degree in any of these fields and 10 years of experience that directly applies to fulfilling the required skills identified below.
• Certifications: Project Management Professional (PMP), Project Scheduling Professional (PSP), Certified Cost Estimator/Analyst (CCEA), Certified Cost Professional (CCP) or similar credentials highly desired.

Air Force Research Laboratory Space Warfare Directorate

• The AFRL/RJ is located at Kirtland Air Force Base, N.M. The organization leverages multidisciplinary expertise to pave the way for development of future satellite systems, rocket propulsion and space domain awareness capabilities. The Directorate consists of an integrated team of military, civilian, and on-site contractors.
• AFRL executes the Science and Technology appropriations of the Department of the Air Force (DAF).
• U.S. citizenship and ability to obtain DoD Top Secret / Secret Compartmentalized Information (TS/SCI) Clearance required.

Education

Bachelor’s degree required, preferably in math, engineering, or the sciences.

Full-Time

SecurityClearance

Senior-Level

On-site

We offer competitive salaries commensurate with education and experience. We have an excellent benefits package that includes:

Health & Welfare

Company Paid

• Major Medical Insurance for employees and family members
• Dental Insurance for employees and family members
• Vision Insurance for employees (employee-paid for family members)
• Group Life Insurance
• Accidental Death and Dismemberment Insurance
• Travel Accident Insurance
• Long-Term Disability

Voluntary

• Short-Term Disability
• Supplemental Life Insurance
• Flexible Spending Account (pre-tax deferrals for health care expenses)

Retirement

• Money Purchase Pension Plan - 100% Company funded defined contribution retirement plan. One-year entry waiting period and 5-year vesting. Core Funds available and a self-directed brokerage account option.
• Employee Stock Ownership Plan - 100% Company funded discretionary contribution. 100% vested after one-year entry waiting period.

Time Off

Tecolote’s generous paid time off benefits give employees the flexibility they need to relax, recharge and take care of the unexpected.