Deputy Program Manager - Army UAS Operations

Check Defense, LLC; Fort Huachuca (AZ); On-site; USD 110,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

Check Defense seeks an experienced Deputy Program Manager to oversee a large U.S. Army UAS training, maintenance, logistics, and mission support contract.

The DPM serves as the Program Manager’s principal assistant with day-to-day operational oversight across performance, staffing, quality, safety and customer support. The role requires a SECRET clearance, a DoD background, and leadership of multidisciplinary teams in a complex, compliance-driven environment.

Qualifications

• Must be a U.S. citizen.
• Active SECRET security clearance with the ability to maintain clearance eligibility.
• Bachelor’s degree in business administration, Program Management, Aviation Management, Engineering, Military Science, or related field.
• Minimum of 5 years of management or supervisory experience supporting DoD contracts.
• Minimum of 3 years of experience supporting aviation, unmanned systems, maintenance, logistics, training, or military operations programs.
• Experience leading multi-disciplinary teams in complex operational environments.
• Experience supporting large service contracts with multiple functional work centers.
• Strong understanding of government contract operations, workforce management, and performance metrics.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Assist the Program Manager in the overall management and administration of contract operations.
• Serve as the acting Program Manager during periods of absence and exercise full authority over contract operations.
• Monitor contract performance to ensure compliance with all PWS requirements, government directives, and company policies.
• Coordinate daily operations across all functional departments to ensure mission success and uninterrupted customer support.
• Support execution of the Program Management Plan (PMP) and associated operational initiatives.
• Participate in PMRs, IPRs, customer meetings, and performance briefings.
• Track contract deliverables, reporting requirements, and performance metrics.
• Oversee day-to-day execution of training, maintenance, logistics, and mission support activities.
• Coordinate staffing resources to ensure operational requirements are met.
• Monitor workforce productivity, utilization, and performance.
• Identify operational risks and implement mitigation strategies.
• Support continuous improvement initiatives to enhance efficiency, quality, and mission effectiveness.
• Ensure timely resolution of customer concerns and operational issues.
• Provide leadership and guidance to supervisors, managers, instructors, maintainers, logistics personnel, and support staff.
• Support workforce planning, hiring, onboarding, employee development, and retention initiatives.
• Ensure employee qualifications, certifications, and training requirements remain current.
• Assist with performance management, corrective actions, and employee relations matters.
• Support implementation and administration of the Quality Control Plan (QCP).
• Monitor compliance with contract requirements, Army regulations, aviation standards, and company procedures.
• Participate in internal audits, inspections, corrective action programs, and quality reviews.
• Ensure accurate and timely submission of required reports, data calls, and contract documentation.
• Support safety, environmental, security, and risk management programs.
• Assist in budget planning, labor forecasting, and resource allocation.
• Monitor staffing levels, labor utilization, and operational costs.
• Assist with invoice validation, financial reporting, and contract administration functions.
• Support property accountability and government-furnished equipment oversight.

Skills

Leadership

Program management

Communication

Contract management

Risk management

Budget planning

Education

Bachelor’s degree in business administration, Program Management, Aviation Management, Engineering, Military Science, or related field

Tools

Microsoft Office Suite

Job description

Check Defense seeks an experienced Deputy Program Manager to oversee a large U.S. Army UAS training, maintenance, logistics, and mission support contract.

The DPM serves as the Program Manager’s principal assistant with day-to-day operational oversight across performance, staffing, quality, safety and customer support. The role requires a SECRET clearance, a DoD background, and leadership of multidisciplinary teams in a complex, compliance-driven environment.