Assistant Program Manager Test & Evaluation (Journey) | PMA-280

AVIAN; Patuxent Highland (MD); On-site; USD 120,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

AVIAN is seeking an Assistant Program Manager Test and Evaluation (Journey)/Lead Test Engineer for the PMA-280/Tomahawk program. This role supports planning, scheduling, and test activities across DoD projects, with travel to meet geographically diverse test teams. As an employee-owned company, AVIAN values initiative and collaboration.

The position requires U.S. citizenship and the ability to obtain a Secret/TS clearance, with 3–10 years of relevant experience and a Bachelor's degree in a

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in a technical field.
• 3–10 years of experience; Master’s Degree may substitute for 2 years.
• U.S. Citizenship required; ability to obtain/maintain Secret/TS DoD clearance.

Responsibilities

• Support program management or project management services in planning and scheduling.
• Identify and support appropriate types of depth of testing required for the active phase of projects.
• Travel and work with geographically diverse test teams.
• Communicating and working with test teams.
• Participating in other acquisition/test and evaluation functions as necessary.
• Writing Test and Evaluation Management Plans/Master Test & Evaluation Strategy.
• Provide T&E technical advice.
• Experience holding Test Plan Working Groups including WIPT and TPWG as needed.
• Participate in program technical reviews, Deficiency Reviews, System Verifications Review and others as necessary
• Support technical studies, analyses, and planning to refine test verification methods and approaches

Skills

Test & Evaluation

Program Management

Travel

Clearance

Education

Bachelor's Degree in a technical field

Job description

Overview

AVIAN (pronounced *a-v-yin*) is looking for an Assistant Program Manager Test and Evaluation (Journey)/Lead Test Engineer employee for the PMA-280/Tomahawk program. The Tomahawk Weapons System Program Office (PMA-280) is responsible for the procurement, development, and sustainment of the Tomahawk weapons systems. Tomahawk is the U.S. Navy’s surface and subsurface launched, long-range, precision strike standoff weapon. The employee must be able to perform duties independently and collaboratively.

Join a Company Where You Can Make a Real Impact – and Own a Piece of the Future

Are you energized by the idea of helping a company grow smarter, serve our customers better, and connect more deeply? Do you thrive in an environment where your ideas matter, your voice is heard, and your work drives real results? If so, we’d love to meet you.

We’re a mid-sized, employee-owned company on a mission to create meaningful value for both our employees and our customers. That means we’re not just looking for someone to fill a seat — we’re looking for someone who wants to build, innovate, and evolve with us.

Our company primarily serves the Navy and other Department of Defense clients, offering a dynamic environment where your expertise will make a difference.

Responsibilities

• Support Program Management or project management services in the form of planning and scheduling


• Identify and support appropriate types of depth of testing required for the active phase of projects


• Ability to Travel and work with geographically diverse test teams


• Communicating and working with test teams


• Participating in other acquisition/test and evaluation functions as necessary


• Writing Test and Evaluation Management Plans/Master Test & Evaluation Strategy


• Provide T&E technical advice


• Experience holding Test Plan Working Groups including WIPT and TPWG as needed


• Participate in program technical reviews, Deficiency Reviews, System Verifications Review and others as necessary


• Support technical studies, analyses, and planning to refine test verification methods and approaches

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in a technical field


• 3-10 years of experience (see below)


• A Master's Degree may substitute for 2 years of work experience


• Must be able to obtain and maintain a Secret/Upgradeable to Top Secret Department of Defense security clearance.


• Due to the sensitivity of customer-related requirements, U.S. Citizenship is required.

Required Experience

• Previous APMT&E experience or Lead Test Engineer Experience


• Tomahawk and/or weapons experience a plus

The salary range for this role is $120,000-$150,000 (The offered rate will be based on the selected candidate’s knowledge, skills, abilities, and/or experience and in consideration of internal parity.))

About being a part of Team AVIAN

As an employee-owner, you’ll be a catalyst for progress — helping us find new opportunities with current or new customers, company efficiencies, streamline processes, and bring people and ideas together in smarter ways. Whether it’s helping us optimize workflows, enhancing the employee experience, or delivering more impactful solutions to our customers, your inputs will have reach and relevance across the organization.

Taking care of each other is a cornerstone of our AVIAN philosophy. Being part of the AVIAN team means being part of a team that takes pride in being expansive in our community because our impact doesn’t stop in the workplace. We actively engage in community initiatives, empowering our employees to make a meaningful difference.

You’ll Succeed Here If You…

• See opportunities where others see routine


• Are curious, collaborative, and passionate about making things better


• Enjoy connecting dots across teams, tools, and tasks


• Believe in doing the right thing the right way — even when no one’s watching


• Play an active role in our growth, using your ideas and initiative to shape how we work, serve, and succeed together


• Embrace a “one team” mindset knowing we are stronger together through trust, transparency and teamwork.


• Understand the power of ownership — and are excited to be part of an employee-owned culture

Why Join Us?

• Employee Ownership: We’re not just building a company — we’re building a legacy. As an employee-owner, you’ll share in our success and have a direct stake in our future.


• Real Growth: We’re expanding, evolving, and exploring new ways to serve. Your contributions will shape our direction and help us grow stronger.


• Purpose-Driven Work: Every improvement you help make is one that adds value — not just for us, but for the people and missions we support.


• Culture of Collaboration: We’re big enough to take on meaningful challenges, but small enough that everyone still knows your name.


• Comprehensive Benefits Package: Designed to support your health, financial security, and overall well-being, our health and wellness benefits include medical, dental, and vision coverage, along with telemedicine services and a TRICARE supplement for veterans.


• Flexible Leave Benefits: we prioritize a balanced, supportive environment that allows you to thrive both personally and professionally and offer flexible and paid time off, 11 paid holidays, paid sick leave, maternity and bonding leave, and military training leave.

AVIAN is a service-based organization. As an equal opportunity employer, our policy of business is to seek the most qualified candidate for each talent opportunity without regard to race, creed, color, sex, age, religious belief, marital status, national origin, ancestry, sexual preference, physical or mental handicap, lawful political affiliation or veteran’s status.