Director, PMO NASA Programs

DRS Global; Reston (VA); On-site; USD 150,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

SES Space & Defense in the United States seeks an experienced Program Manager to lead a large, multi-year aerospace program. You will coordinate cross-functional teams across Engineering, Contracts, Finance, and Supply Chain to deliver on schedule and within budget, while meeting technical and contractual commitments.

The role requires strong leadership, enterprise-level financial acumen, and the ability to communicate complex program data to executive stakeholders. U.S.

Qualifications

• Progressive program/project management experience in aerospace/defense.
• Experience managing enterprise-level, multi-year government programs.
• Leading integrated teams and multiple subcontractors in a matrix environment.
• Strong program financial acumen: budgeting, forecasting, revenue and cost management.
• Understanding of Earned Value Management (EVM) preferred.
• Knowledge of PM frameworks: Agile, Waterfall, SAFe.
• Exceptional communication, stakeholder engagement, and leadership.
• Conflict resolution, risk management, and change management experience.
• Proficiency with MS Office, Visio, and project management tools.
• U.S. citizenship with ability to obtain Top Secret clearance.

Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end program management for a large aerospace production program.
• Manage relationships with Government customers and ensure contractual commitments.
• Lead cross-functional IPTs and external subcontractors.
• Provide visibility into program performance and disciplined management practices.
• Oversee program cost control and alignment with contractual requirements.
• Prepare proposals, budgets, and terms of contracts.
• Apply formal change management to baselined programs.
• Communicate with diverse audiences and translate technical data into business terms.
• Facilitate timely decisions and build cross-functional relationships.

Skills

Program management

Aerospace & defense

Government programs

Cross-functional leadership

Budgeting & forecasting

EVM awareness

SAFe/Agile/Waterfall

Communication & leadership

Risk & change management

MS Project / MS Office / Visio

US citizenship with TS clearance

Tools

Costpoint

Salesforce

MS Project

MS Office

Visio

Job description

Who We Are:

At SES Space & Defense, we deliver secure, resilient connectivity and integrated space solutions for customers operating in the world's most demanding environments. As part of SES S.A., a global leader in satellite-enabled communications, we combine capabilities across all orbits with extensive global ground infrastructure, managed networks, hosted payload solutions, and mission integration services to support communications, sensing, data transport, and operational resilience worldwide.

Our vertically integrated space and ground capabilities bring together satellite capacity, terrestrial infrastructure, advanced network technologies, and deployed user terminals to support mission-critical government operations around the world. We are a trusted partner to the U.S. Federal Government and national security community, allied governments, NATO, NASA, and other civilian agencies, delivering reliable, high-performance solutions when mission success is critical.

At SES Space & Defense, our people are our competitive advantage. You'll work alongside a mission-driven team committed to integrity, innovation, accountability, and delivering real-world impact for customers whose missions matter most.

What You'll Do:

The Program Manager is an operational leadership role responsible for the successful execution of a large, complex aerospace program across SES Space & Defense. You will lead cross-functional teams spanning Engineering, Contracts, Finance, Configuration Management, Supply Chain, Business Management, and external partners to deliver program commitments on schedule, within budget, and in accordance with technical and contractual requirements. Working closely with the Chief Engineer, Government customers, subcontractors, and functional organizations, you will own program execution across cost, schedule, risk, contractual performance, and customer commitments throughout the program lifecycle. You will provide clear visibility into program performance, establish disciplined program management practices, and ensure teams remain aligned around program objectives and deliverables.

• Lead end-to-end program management for a large, complex aerospace production program, ensuring delivery on schedule, within budget, and in accordance with program requirements.
• Manage relationships with Government customers and ensure successful delivery of program and contractual commitments.
• Execute program requirements by leading cross-functional teams including Engineering, Contracts, Finance, Configuration Management, Supply Chain, Business Management, and external subcontractors.
• Lead cross-functional Integrated Program Teams (IPTs) to achieve program cost, schedule, and technical performance objectives throughout the program lifecycle, from inception through closeout.
• Lead program risk and opportunity management practices including identification, assessment, mitigation, and realization. Conduct monthly risk reviews.
• Ensure delivery of contractual and purchase order requirements, including SDRLs/CDRLs, while overseeing applicable spacecraft bus and payload subcontractor activities.
• Present program performance, financial data, schedule status, risks, and other key metrics during internal program management and customer reviews.
• Oversee program cost control and scope of work to ensure execution remains aligned with contractual requirements.
• Lead the preparation of proposals, business plans, proposal work statements and specifications, operating budgets, and financial terms and conditions of contracts.
• Apply formal change management practices to ensure programs are appropriately baselined at kickoff, and subsequent changes are evaluated for justification and program impact and receive appropriate approvals.
• Provide clarity on program objectives, ensure roles and responsibilities are well understood, and address conflicts in a timely manner with minimal direction from senior management.
• Act as a liaison internally and externally to support the development and management of key program initiatives.
• Communicate effectively with diverse audiences, including translating complex technical and program information into clear business terms and program relevance.
• Facilitate timely decisions in complex situations to keep teams and program activities moving forward.
• Establish and reinforce effective program management practices while building strong working relationships with cross-functional teams throughout the organization.

Who You Are:

You are an experienced program leader with a demonstrated ability to manage complex, multi-year Government aerospace, defense, satellite, or high-technology programs. You understand how customer requirements, contracts, cost, schedule, technical performance, risk, subcontractors, and cross-functional teams come together to determine program success. You are comfortable working alongside Chief Engineers and technical organizations and bring enough technical understanding to effectively lead program execution without replacing the engineering organization's technical authority. You build credibility with Government customers, executive leadership, engineering teams, functional organizations, and external partners through disciplined execution, clear communication, and sound judgment. You are comfortable operating in highly matrixed environments and can provide the structure, visibility, and leadership necessary to keep complex programs aligned with their technical, contractual, financial, and schedule commitments.

Key Qualifications & Experience:

• Successful track record of progressive experience in program and/or project management, including at least eight years managing complex aerospace, defense, satellite, or other high-technology programs.
• Proven track record of successfully managing enterprise-level, multi-million-dollar, multi-year Government programs.
• Experience leading integrated teams and multiple subcontractors within a highly matrixed environment.
• Strong program financial acumen, including budgeting, forecasting, revenue and cost management, margin performance, Estimate at Completion (EAC), variance analysis, cash flow, and contract financials.
• Ability to identify financial risks and trends, develop corrective actions, and communicate program financial performance to senior leadership. Experience partnering with Finance, Contracts, and functional teams to maintain accurate forecasts and achieve revenue, profitability, and delivery objectives. Understanding of Earned Value Management (EVM) principles is strongly preferred.
• Strong understanding of program and portfolio management principles, methodologies, and tools, including Agile, Waterfall, and/or SAFe.
• Exceptional communication, stakeholder engagement, and leadership skills.
• Demonstrated experience with conflict resolution, cross-functional collaboration, and risk and opportunity management.
• Demonstrated experience with change management frameworks and organizational development principles.
• Proficiency with MS Office tools, Visio, and project management software/tools such as MS Project.
• U.S. citizenship required, with the ability to obtain a Top Secret security clearance with SCI eligibility.

Preferred Qualifications & Experience:

• Certifications in program management (PMI), Scrum, and SAFe
• Understanding of satellite communications systems, payloads, ground systems, and/or space-segment development preferred.
• Experience with Costpoint and Salesforce
• Knowledge of the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) and Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS)

SES Space & Defense is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to any characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.

The final base salary offered will be determined based on factors such as the position's location, the candidate's relevant skills, experience, and qualifications.

Where applicable, this position may also be eligible for an annual bonus. Employees are eligible to participate in SES Space & Defense's benefits programs, which include paid vacation, sick and personal leave; medical, dental, vision, life, and disability insurance; a 401(k)-retirement plan; and others.