Naval Systems Program Manager — Requirements & Capture

First Order Effects; Washington, Northern (District of Columbia, KY); Hybrid; USD 150,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

First Order Effects is seeking a Program Manager, Naval Systems to lead customer requirements, drive compliant program baselines, and coordinate across growth, programs, and engineering in Washington, DC area. You will shape captures, author essential documents, and ensure readiness for gate reviews with government partners.

The role requires deep government acquisition experience, MIL-STD knowledge, and strong technical writing, with potential DoD security clearance considerations.

Qualifications

• Ten or more years in government acquisition and defense industry.
• Experience inside NAVSEA, warfare centers, or equivalent command.
• Fluency in DoD acquisition structures and MIL-STD/DoD standards.
• Proven ability to author requirements documents, SRVMs, and T&E plans.
• Strong technical writing and government-facing communication.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. DoD Secret clearance; clearance a strong plus.

Responsibilities

• Own the customer requirements thread from capability need to verification and validation closure.
• Architect the technical solution during capture and anchor proposals.
• Produce requirements baselines, verification matrices, and T&E plans.
• Own MIL-STD and specification compliance strategy.
• Manage government stakeholders across program offices and testing authorities.
• Translate customer needs into actionable requirements across growth, programs, and engineering.
• Lead program gate reviews and ensure baselines are ready for validation.

Skills

NAVSEA experience

Requirements management

DoD acquisition

Technical writing

AI in workflow

DoD security clearance

Job description

First Order Effects is seeking a Program Manager, Naval Systems to lead customer requirements, drive compliant program baselines, and coordinate across growth, programs, and engineering in Washington, DC area. You will shape captures, author essential documents, and ensure readiness for gate reviews with government partners.

The role requires deep government acquisition experience, MIL-STD knowledge, and strong technical writing, with potential DoD security clearance considerations.