Deputy Program Manager – Advanced Radar & Capture Lead

Riverside Research; Lexington (MA); Hybrid; USD 150,000 - 165,000; Full time

Job summary

Riverside Research in Lexington, MA is seeking a Deputy Program Manager to lead advanced radar system initiatives. This hybrid leadership role bridges government customers, technical teams, and business development, guiding program strategy and mentorship across engineers and analysts.

You will oversee end-to-end execution, manage baselines and EVM, translate customer needs into cost-effective solutions, and help grow the opportunity pipeline.

Qualifications

• 8+ years of related technical/program management experience with a Bachelor’s degree (or 6+ years with a Master’s; or 3+ years with a PhD).
• Active U.S. Government TS/SCI security clearance.
• Strong foundational knowledge of radar systems, signal processing, or defense system architectures.
• Demonstrated background balancing program financials (EVM/BOEs) with hands-on customer engagement and business capture.
• Exceptional writing and briefing skills with the ability to navigate fast-paced, mission-driven environments.

Responsibilities

• Lead day-to-day operations and act as the key decision-maker in the Program Manager's absence.
• Guide end-to-end execution for advanced radar system and software development, integration, test, and deployment programs.
• Serve as the primary technical interface with government stakeholders translating operational needs into cost-effective technical solutions.
• Manage program baselines, financial performance, earned value management (EVM), and risk mitigation.
• Travel up to 25%.
• Lead, mentor, and foster professional development for a multidisciplinary team of engineers and analysts.
• Oversee resource allocation, staffing plans, and cross-functional performance management.
• Leverage radar domain expertise to identify, shape, and capture new business opportunities; support BOE pricing; cultivate customer relationships.

Skills

Radar systems

Program management

Team leadership

Business development

Education

Bachelor's degree in related field

Job description

Riverside Overview

Riverside Research is an independent National Security Nonprofit dedicated to research and development in the national interest. We provide high-end technical services, research and development, and prototype solutions to some of the country’s most challenging technical problems. All Riverside Research opportunities require U.S. Citizenship.

Position Overview

Are you a technical leader who loves solving complex radar engineering challenges and has a passion for shaping the future through strategic business growth?

We are looking for a high-impact Deputy Program Manager to join our advanced radar systems group in Lexington, MA. In this hybrid leadership role, you will act as the primary bridge between high-level government customers, multidisciplinary technical teams, and our business development engine. You will help guide program strategy, mentor engineers at all skill levels, and directly influence our growth pipeline across cutting-edge defense domains.

Responsibilities

Program Execution & Technical Leadership

• Provide support to the Program Manager, leading day-to-day operations and acting as the key decision-maker in their absence.
• Guide end-to-end execution for advanced radar system and software development, integration, test, and deployment programs.
• Serve as the primary technical interface with government stakeholders translating operational needs into cost-effective technical solutions.
• Manage program baselines, financial performance, earned value management (EVM), and risk mitigation.
• Travel up to 25%
• Other duties as assigned

Team Mentorship & Supervision

• Lead, mentor, and foster professional development for a multidisciplinary team of engineers and analysts.
• Oversee resource allocation, staffing plans, and cross-functional performance management.

Business Development & Strategic Growth

• Leverage your radar domain expertise to identify, shape, and capture new business opportunities across sensor and defense portfolios.
• Support proposal elements, author technical volumes, and drive Basis of Estimate (BOE) pricing strategies.
• Cultivate trusted customer relationships and build a sustainable opportunity pipeline.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications

• 8+ years of related technical/program management experience with a Bachelor's degree (or 6+ years with a Master's; or 3+ years with a PhD), including at least 3 years leading teams within radar, defense, or aerospace programs.
• Active U.S. Government TS/SCI security clearance.
• Strong foundational knowledge of radar systems, signal processing, or defense system architectures.
• Demonstrated background balancing program financials (EVM/BOEs) with hands-on customer engagement and business capture.
• Exceptional writing and briefing skills with the ability to navigate fast-paced, mission-driven environments.

Preferred Qualifications

• PMP or DAU Program Management certification.
• Direct background in Radar Modernization, Phased Array Technology and the Space Domain Awareness mission.
• Proven history of winning competitive DoD task orders or research proposals.

Global Comp

150,000 - 165,000 This represents the typical compensation range for this position based on experience, location and other factors.

Closing Statement

Riverside Research Institute is a not-for-profit, technology-oriented defense company, where service to our customers and support of our staff is our overall mission. Riverside is an affirmative action-equal opportunity employer and complies with all applicable federal, state, and local laws regarding recruitment and hiring. Riverside offers comprehensive compensation and benefit packages to our employees. Riverside bases its employment decisions solely on technical experience, qualifications and other job-related criteria related to our organizational purpose as a not-for-profit company, and without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex marital status, sexual orientation, national origin, physical or mental disability, veteran's status or any other status legally protected by applicable federal, state, and local law.