Deputy Program Manager – Advanced Radar & Capture Lead

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

Job summary

Riverside Research Institute in Lexington, MA is seeking a Deputy Program Manager to lead advanced radar programs in a hybrid role, bridging government customers and technical teams while shaping strategy and growth.

You will mentor engineers, manage program baselines and EVM/BOEs, and collaborate with business development to expand opportunities across defense portfolios.

Qualifications

• 8+ years in technical/program management, incl. 3+ years leading radar/defense teams.
• Active TS/SCI clearance.
• Strong radar, signal processing, or defense-architecture knowledge.
• Experience balancing program financials with customer engagement.
• Excellent writing and briefing skills for fast-paced environments.

Responsibilities

• Guide program execution and technical leadership for radar programs from concept to delivery.
• Mentor engineers and analysts; oversee staffing and cross-functional performance.
• Support business development, capture proposals, and Basis of Estimate pricing.
• Travel up to 25%.

Skills

Program management

Radar systems knowledge

Security clearance

EVM/BOE financials

Leadership/mentorship

Education

Bachelor's degree in a related field

Advanced degree preferred

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.