Director IRAD Programs

Leonardo DRS; Germantown (MD); On-site; USD 146,000 - 227,000; Full time

Job summary

Leonardo DRS in Germantown, MD is seeking a Director of IRAD Programs with substantial manufacturing experience in the defense industry. The role oversees full lifecycle program management, from development through sustainment, ensuring cost, schedule, and performance are tracked and optimized.

A DOD security clearance or ability to obtain one is required. The candidate should have a engineering or business degree (master’s preferred) and at least 10 years in program leadership, including lean

Qualifications

• Engineering or business degree required (Master’s preferred).
• Minimum of 10 years relevant experience in program management.
• Certification in Program Management (PMP) preferred.
• Advanced knowledge of program management tools and procedures.
• Experience managing aerospace/defense programs (prime or sub) for domestic/foreign mili­tary.
• Experience with earned value cost accounting and progress reporting.

Responsibilities

• Lead the line of business or company program management across full lifecycle (development, production, sustainment).
• Track cost, schedule and performance against milestones; report status to stakeholders.
• Develop and implement recovery plans for yellow/red programs (schedule, performance).
• Lead reviews, manage inventories, mentor program management staff, and drive continuous improvement.
• Collaborate with business development, marketing, and sales to expand opportunities with existing and new customers.

Skills

Manufacturing experience

Program management

Leadership & management

Lean Six Sigma

Earned value management

Defense industry experience

Security clearance readiness

Education

Engineering or Business degree

Master’s degree preferred

PMP certification

Tools

Program management tools

Job description

Job Title: Director, IRAD Programs- Must have MANUFACTURING experience in the DEFENSE industry

Location: Germantown, MD (ONSITE)

Job ID: 114057

DRS RADA Technologies, is a global pioneer of AESA tactical radars and we supply a global customer base that includes the armed forces of more than 30 countries, our advanced radars are deployed on hundreds of battle-platforms of the IDF, IAF, US Army, USMC, USAF, US SOF, and more

• Must have MANUFACTURING experience in the DEFENSE industry

The salary range for this position is $146,497/year- $227,436/year.

Job Summary

• Responsible for leading the line of business (LOB) and/or Company (CO) program management function. This includes full life cycle management (development, production, and sustainment) of the LOB
• Ensure proper methods are followed to track program cost, schedules and performance across LOB
• Track all program cost, schedules and performance against established program milestones; reporting the status to management stakeholders on a regular basis
• Develop and implement recovery plans for yellow and red programs (i.e. schedule, technical performance)
• Ensure program methodologies for the LOB and the program management directives are followed
• Work closely with existing customers, and obtain feedback on the company’s performance
• Work closely with business development, marketing and sales to enhance the business portfolio
• May lead all meetings and the integrated product team (kick-off through project close)
• Manage inventory effectively
• Manage internal research and development programs within LOB and/or CO
• Develop internal relationships with management stakeholders
• Manage Program Management development to include coaching, teaching, retaining, attracting, and mentoring
• Lead monthly program reviews for the Company
• Conduct program reviews that identify root-cause and corrective action as well as continuous improvement and financial performance
• Work closely with Business Development to provide future opportunities for existing customers and solutions for new customers
• Understand and implement lean and process improvement principles (i.e. Lean Six Sigma)
• Understand and develop methodologies that allow program managers to apply leading verses lagging indicators
• Develop processes for identifying, assessing, monitoring and mitigating risk throughout the program life cycle

Qualifications

• Engineering or business degree required. Master’s degree preferred.
• Minimum of 10 years relevant experience.
• Certification in Program Management preferred (i.e. PMP or DAU level 3)
• Advanced knowledge of program management tools and procedures
• Leadership and management skills, particularly "influence management" and "conflict resolution"
• Significant experience throughout the program lifecycle from development through sustainment to include: proposal development, requirements decomposition, generation of system and subsystem statements of work and subcontracts, risk management, and continuous improvement efforts including implementation for cost reduction and performance improvement efforts
• Experience with earned value cost accounting and reporting; experience with metrics for assessing and reporting program progress, productivity and variance analysis
• Experience in finance, contracting, export regulations, engineering, logistics, manufacturing and supply chain management
• Demonstrated success in managing manpower planning, project reviews, scheduling and budget control
• Must have a successful track record in managing complex aerospace/defense programs such as a prime or sub contractor to a domestic or foreign military organization
• Must have a portfolio of programs in which financial objectives (profit, cash flow, revenue, bookings) were achieved
• Experience with turnaround programs in which recovery was successful preferred

U.S. Citizenship required. This position requires an active DOD security clearance or the ability to obtain such clearance within a reasonable time after commencement of employment.