NASA Network Program Director (Hybrid) — Mission-Critical Ops

KBR, Inc; Columbia (MD); Hybrid; USD 221,000 - 331,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401K with company match

Flexible work schedule

Medical, dental, vision benefits

Job summary

KBR, Inc seeks a Sr. Director (Program Manager) for the Advanced Engineering and Operations division to lead a large NASA communications contract, overseeing O&M, cybersecurity, modernization, and performance management for NASA missions.

This hybrid role includes 20% travel to the DC area and requires Top Secret/SCI eligibility plus 15+ years in program management with government contracting experience.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree and 15 years of related experience, OR a master’s degree and 12 years of related experience.
• Background in supporting U.S. Government contracts and customers, aerospace manufacturing, project management, or program management.
• 10+ years of experience leading the performance of tasks on schedule, at cost and achieving all requirements as a program manager.
• 10+ years of demonstrated success leading teams/and or organizations to achieve a common goal.
• Top Secret Security Clearance with ability to obtain SCI within 1 year.

Responsibilities

• Lead day-to-day execution of task orders, ensuring safe, reliable, secure, and uninterrupted communications and navigation services across the Network.
• Manage KBR, subcontractor, and partner personnel across geographically distributed operations, engineering, cybersecurity, logistics, mission interface, and modernization teams.
• Serve as the senior customer-facing program leader for NASA, mission-user communities, and other Government stakeholders, building trusted relationships and maintaining strong customer intimacy.
• Drive the transition from legacy network operations to an integrated Network operating model through disciplined management.
• Oversee integrated network management functions, and continuous improvement across Government-owned and commercial network assets.
• Ensure operational performance with transparent reporting to NASA and KBR leadership.
• Chair or oversee program governance forums, including risk and opportunity management, configuration control, performance reviews, corrective action boards, modernization decision gates, and subcontractor accountability reviews.
• Lead cost, schedule, technical, staffing, and financial performance for fixed-price and cost-type task orders, applying sound business judgment when making KBR-binding program decisions.
• Lead functional managers onboarding commercial service providers, new missions, new capabilities, and modernization initiatives into operational baselines while preserving operator authority, mission assurance, and NASA decision visibility.
• Ensure contract deliverables, integrated master schedules, financial reports, performance metrics, program management reviews, staffing plans, risk registers, and customer briefings are accurate, timely, and decision-useful.
• Recruit, coach, certify, and retain a mission-focused workforce capable of supporting 24x7 operations, critical mission events, geographically distributed activities, and evolving NASA requirements.

Skills

Strong Engineering Skills

Core engineering knowledge

Leadership

Communication skills

High-stakes leadership

Self-motivation

Multitasking

Adaptability

Education

Bachelor’s Degree + 15 years

Master’s degree + 12 years

Top Secret Clearance

U.S. Government contracts experience

NASA contractor experience

Job description

KBR, Inc seeks a Sr. Director (Program Manager) for the Advanced Engineering and Operations division to lead a large NASA communications contract, overseeing O&M, cybersecurity, modernization, and performance management for NASA missions.

This hybrid role includes 20% travel to the DC area and requires Top Secret/SCI eligibility plus 15+ years in program management with government contracting experience.