Principal Acquisition Program Manager

Applied Research Solutions; Bedford (MA); Hybrid; USD 165,000 - 175,000; Full time

Job summary

Applied Research Solutions in Hanscom AFB, MA seeks a Principal Acquisitions Program Manager to lead defense acquisition efforts within the ESS Portfolio. The role requires coordinating with PMs, IPTs, and government teams to ensure cost, schedule, and performance objectives are met.

The ideal candidate has DoD program management experience, an active Secret clearance, and strong communication skills. Hybrid work arrangement with on-site collaboration is available.

Qualifications

• US citizen with active Secret clearance and DoD acquisition experience.
• Bachelor's degree required; advanced degree preferred for senior level.
• Strong written and oral communication across senior leadership.

Responsibilities

• Support Program Manager and IPT Leads in cost, schedule, and performance objectives.
• Assist with acquisition strategies, requirements analysis, risk assessment, and cost/schedule evaluation.
• Contribute to RFP development and review acquisition documentation.
• Coordinate EVM/IMS analysis and align schedules with DoD frameworks.
• Support DoDI 5000.x processes and DoD acquisition reporting (MAR/SAR/DAES).

Skills

Active Secret Clearance

DoD program management

Communication skills

Agile/DevOps familiarity

EVM/IMS analysis

Education

Bachelor's Degree in related field

Master’s or Doctorate preferred

Tools

IDECS

CCaR

Microsoft Office

Job description

Applied Research Solutions is seeking a Principal Acquisitions Program Manager to support the Air Force Life Cycle Management Center Electronic Systems PEO (AFLCMC/ES).

The Electronic Systems System (ESS) Division aka Force Protection Division's mission responsibility is to manage and execute the modernization, design, development, testing, fielding, and sustainment of the various software and hardware within the ESS Portfolio.

This is a full-time position located at Hanscom AFB, MA.

Why Work with us?

Applied Research Solutions (ARS) is respected as a world-class provider of technically integrated solutions as we deliver premier talent and technology across our focused markets for unparalleled, continuous mission support.Awarded a Best Places to Work nominee since 2020, ARS recognizes that without our career- driven, loyal professionals, we would not be able to deliver state-of-the- art results for our mission partners. We firmly believe that prioritizing our employees is of the upmost importance. We provide a culture where our employees are challenged to meet their career goals and aspirations, while still obtaining a work/life balance. ARS employees are motivated through our industry competitive benefits package, our awards and recognition program, and personalized attention from ARS Senior Managers.

Responsibilities will include:

• Support Program Manager and IPT Leads in meeting cost, schedule, and performance objectives.
• Assist with planning and implementing acquisition strategies, including requirements analysis, technical approaches, risk assessment, and cost/schedule evaluation.
• Support execution of acquisition and development processes with Government teams and prime contractors.
• Contribute to RFP development (SOWs, system specifications, SRDs, CDRLs).
• Review acquisition documentation (Acquisition Strategies, LCSPs, APBs, ADMs, Risk Management Plans).
• Develop and update required acquisition reports and program updates (MAR, SAR, DAES, APB).
• Support program risk management activities per AFPAM 63‑128.
• Coordinate EVM and IMS analysis and review contractor schedules, deliverables, and integration plans.
• Assist with ECP and RFP evaluations and preparation of funding documentation using CCaR, IDECS, and EDA.
• Support Mission Planning Environment (MPE) activities and ensure alignment with operational aircraft and OFP schedules.
• Support acquisition efforts under DoDI 5000.02, 5000.80, and 5000.81.
• Participate in mission planning, capability development, event integration, evaluation, and reporting.
• Support site surveys, acquisition planning, documentation compliance, risk management execution, DoD acquisition systems usage, and milestone reporting.
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications/Technical Experience Requirements:

• Must be a US citizen
• Active Secret Security Clearance
• Bachelor's Degree in a related field and 25 years of experience in the respective technical/professional discipline being performed, 15 of which must be in the DoD OR
  • 30 years of experience with 20+ years of DoD related experience
• Familiarity with cloud-based systems (cost/performance management)
• Familiarity with Agile, CI/CD, DevSecOps, and DevOps
• Comprehensive knowledge of DoD systems acquisition and program management (DoDI 5000.02, 5000.75)
• Understanding of DoD and Air Force acquisition environments
• Ability to measure acquisition program effectiveness using quantitative and qualitative techniques
• Strong written and oral communication skills; ability to produce acquisition documentation

Preferred Qualifications

Education:

Master’s or Doctorate Degree in a related field with 20 years of experience, 12 years within the DoD

• Experience supporting site surveys
• Experience in acquisition planning, reporting, and documentation compliance
• Experience in risk management planning and execution
• Experience supporting RFP and contract execution
• Experience using DoD acquisition systems
• Experience with EVM and milestone reporting

Technical Skills

• DoD acquisition processes and program management frameworks
• ACAT program support
• Acquisition documentation (APB, LCSP, ADM, MAR, SAR, DAES)
• EVM and IMS analysis
• RFP/SOW/SRD/CDRL support
• Risk management support
• MPE and OFP schedule support
• Microsoft Office, IDECS, EDA, CCaR
• Cloud-based systems
• Agile, CI/CD, DevSecOps, DevOps

Interpersonal Skills

• Effective communication with senior leadership and IPTs
• Strong written and verbal communication
• Ability to analyze complex programs and provide recommendations
• Ability to coordinate across stakeholders
• Strong organizational and problem-solving skills
• Ability to interpret and apply DoD acquisition policies

Additional Information

Location: Hanscom AFB, MA

Travel: Travel may be required per the customer’s discretion

Hybrid: In Office 3-5 days per week

The expected annual salary range is $165k - $175k. Salary is dependent upon the role and associated responsibilities, candidates experience and qualifications to include education, training and key skills.

All positions at Applied Research Solutions are subject to background investigations. Employment is contingent upon successful completion of a background investigation including criminal history and identity check.

This contractor and subcontractor shall abide by the requirements of 41 CFR 60-741.5(a). This regulation prohibits discrimination against qualified individuals based on disability and requires affirmative action by covered prime contractors and subcontractors to employ and advance in employment qualified individuals with disabilities.

This contractor and subcontractor shall abide by the requirements of 41 CFR 60-300.5(a). This regulation prohibits discrimination against qualified protected veterans and requires affirmative action by covered contractors and subcontractors to employ and advance in employment qualified protected veterans.