OPIR Senior Program Manager

Chimera Enterprises International; Aurora (CO); On-site; USD 150,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Chimera Enterprises International is seeking an experienced OPIR Senior Program Manager to provide end-to-end leadership for high-visibility GEOINT acquisition programs within the IC/DoD. You will coordinate across government, FFRDCs, contractors, and international partners to translate strategic priorities into executable plans.

The role requires 18+ years of relevant experience or a bachelor’s with extensive program management background, active TS/SCI with CI Poly, and a proven ability to

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Science, Business, or related field; 18+ years of directly relevant experience may be considered in lieu of a degree.
• 12+ years of directly supporting or managing acquisition programs in IC/DoD.
• Experience with Major Systems Acquisition-level projects in IC/DoD and integrated contractor/government teams.
• Recent TCPED experience for persistent GEOINT phenomena (OPIR strongly desired).
• Ability to provide senior leaders with decision-quality data for resource allocation.

Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end management of OPIR and GEOINT initiatives across lifecycle.
• Develop detailed plans, milestones, and resource tracking.
• Coordinate with Program Control on budgets and scheduling.
• Support source selection and compliant contract awards.
• Brief senior leaders with status updates and recommendations.
• Identify and mitigate cost, schedule, and technical risks.
• Lead program reviews and stakeholder engagements.

Skills

Program management

Leadership

Risk management

Stakeholder engagement

Communication

Acquisition planning

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering/Science/Business

18+ years experience in lieu of degree

Job description

Position Summary

The OPIR Senior Program Manager provides end-to-end leadership and advisory support for high-visibility OPIR and persistent GEOINT acquisition programs within the Intelligence Community and Department of Defense. This role oversees complex program lifecycles—from concept through delivery—ensuring cost, schedule, and performance objectives are met while aligning with evolving operational needs. The Senior Program Manager serves as a key integrator across government, FFRDCs, contractors, and international partners, translating strategic priorities into executable plans. The ideal candidate brings deep acquisition expertise, proven experience in IC/DoD environments, and the ability to deliver decision-quality information to senior leaders.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead program management activities across the full lifecycle of OPIR and persistent GEOINT initiatives, including planning, execution, risk management, and performance oversight.
• Develop and maintain detailed project plans, milestones, timelines, and resource tracking tools to ensure timely and effective delivery of mission capabilities.
• Coordinate closely with Program Control to analyze program budgets, track expenditures, and maintain alignment with financial constraints and strategic priorities.
• Support source selection processes by reviewing and refining acquisition strategies, supporting evaluation teams, and ensuring fair, compliant contract awards.
• Serve as a primary liaison with government customers and stakeholders, providing clear, concise status updates, briefings, and recommendations.
• Identify, assess, and mitigate program-level risks across cost, schedule, and technical dimensions, driving proactive issue resolution.
• Participate in and lead technical interchange meetings, program reviews, and stakeholder engagements to ensure program objectives are met and stakeholder equities are addressed.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a related field (e.g., Engineering, Science, Business, or similar); 18+ years of directly relevant experience may be considered in lieu of a degree.
• 12+ years of directly supporting or managing acquisition programs in the Intelligence Community (IC) or Department of Defense (DoD).
• Demonstrated experience with Major Systems Acquisition-level projects in the IC or DoD, including integrated contractor/government team environments.
• Direct, recent (within the past 5 years) experience enabling and executing TCPED for persistent GEOINT phenomena (OPIR strongly desired).
• Proven ability to provide senior leaders with decision-quality data for resource allocation (money and manpower) affecting high-visibility NSG programs.
• Strong program management, communication, and stakeholder engagement skills, with the ability to exercise discretion and independent judgment.
• Active TS/SCI clearance with current CI Polygraph, or eligibility and willingness to obtain and maintain this level of clearance.

Preferred Qualifications

• Project Management Professional (PMP), DAWIA (Program Management or related), or equivalent acquisition/program management certification.
• Experience managing OCONUS programs and coordinating with the U.S. Department of State, U.S. Embassies, and international partners.
• Familiarity with NGA, NSG, and OPIR/persistent GEOINT mission sets and enterprise architectures.
• Experience leading multi-organizational initiatives involving government, FFRDCs, contractors, and allied partners.
• Advanced degree in Engineering, Systems Management, National Security, or related discipline.