Principal Program Manager – Engineering Development

Leonardo DRS; Germantown (MD); On-site; USD 146,000 - 227,000; Full time

Job summary

DRS RADA Technologies is seeking a Principal Program Manager – Engineering Development to lead the IRAD portfolio and program management operations, including scheduling, PO management, and performance across product development programs.

You will collaborate with Engineering and cross‑functional teams to plan, track and execute programs from inception to delivery, ensuring cost, schedule and technical objectives are met while aligning with senior management directives.

Qualifications

• 10+ years relevant experience in DoD or defense programs
• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent combination of education and experience
• Knowledge of program management tools and procedures
• Solid leadership and management skills
• Experience across the program lifecycle from development through sustainment
• Experience with earned value cost accounting and reporting
• Strong presentation skills
• PM certification preferred (PMP/DAU)

Responsibilities

• Manage daily execution of multiple programs within IRAD roadmap to meet cost, schedule and performance goals
• Lead IRAD and program management operations including scheduling and contract/PO activity
• Track program cost, schedule and performance against milestones and report status
• Coordinate cross-functional teams and ensure on-time, on-budget delivery
• Collaborate with Business Development, Engineering, and Sales to align roadmap with customer needs
• Develop risk management processes across the program lifecycle
• Lead monthly program reviews and inter-department coordination

Skills

Program management

Leadership

Earned value management

DoD contract management

Communication

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree or equivalent in Engineering/Finance/SC/Biz

Tools

ERP/MRP systems

PM tools (MS Project/Primavera)

Cost accounting tools

Job description

Principal Program Manager – Engineering Development

Location:

Germantown, MD, US, 20876

Job ID:114057

DRS RADA Technologies, a subsidiary of Leonardo DRS, is focused on proprietary radar solutions and legacy avionics systems supporting the defense industry globally. The company is a global pioneer of AESA tactical radars for active military protection, counter-drone applications, critical infrastructure protection, and border surveillance.

Job Summary

Responsible for leading DRS RADA’s IRAD portfolio and program management operations to include scheduling, PO management, and overall performance of individual product development programs. Responsibilities are conducted under the guidance of senior level management (Sr. Director of Programs).

Works closely with Engineering to manage a development program or a product development project. May need to intercede with Engineering Management to accomplish objectives. Work outcomes may encompass product development, services or both. Manages and ensures the timely completion of specific, defined technical programs or projects. Oversee a team or portion of a program to plan, track and execute project plans from start to completion using specific technical knowledge.

Job Responsibilities

• Manage and direct the daily execution of multiple programs within IRAD Roadmap to ensure cost, schedule and performance goals are met
• Responsible for leading the IRAD and program management operations. This includes responsibility for program scheduling function, FSR/event coordination in cooperation with Business Development and Engineering, and contract/PO placement and quoting
• Ensures proper methods are followed to track program cost, schedules and performance
• Track all program cost, schedules and performance against established program milestones; reporting the status to management stakeholders on a regular basis
• May be required to ensure the overall execution of material on schedule and on budget for a development programs and projects
• Required to collaborate and manage a cross-functional, matrix team
• Ensures program management directives are followed
• Work closely with internal and external customers, and obtain feedback on the program and product requirements, performance, and capability objectives and timelines
• Work closely with business development, marketing and sales to ensure IRAD Roadmap meets upcoming customer needs
• Be able to overcome program development challenges and implement plans to proactively rectify any issues that arise

Job Responsibilities Part II

• Manage internal research and development programs within LOB and/or CO
• Develop internal relationships with management stakeholders
• Manage Program Management development to include coaching, teaching, retaining, attracting, and mentoring cross-functional teams
• Lead monthly program reviews for IRAD programs
• Work closely with Business Development to provide future opportunities for existing customers and solutions for new customers
• Develop processes for identifying, assessing, monitoring and mitigating risk throughout the program lifecycle
• May partner with various stakeholders on planning process and system improvements
• Support, communicate, reinforce and defend the mission, values and culture of the organization

Secondary Accountabilities

• Develop and understand principles of process improvement (i.e. Lean Six Sigma)
• May require 10+ year in the in DoD program management an/or in production manufacturing
• May require knowledge of DoD FAR procurement regulations
• May require knowledge of MRP/ERP with a solid understanding of electro-mechanical assembly operations, bills of material, demand material planning, and the supply chain purchasing process

Qualifications

• 10+ years relevant experience.
• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent combination of education and experience. Engineering, Finance, Supply Chain or Business degree may be preferred or equivalent combination of education and experience depending upon the job discipline
• Knowledge of program management tools and procedures
• Solid leadership and management skills
• Experience throughout the program lifecycle from development through sustainment to include: proposal development, requirements decomposition, generation of system and subsystem statements of work and subcontracts, risk management, and continuous improvement efforts including implementation cost reduction and performance improvement efforts
• Experience with earned value cost accounting and reporting; experience with metrics for assessing and reporting program progress, productivity and variance analysis
• Experience in finance, contracting, export regulations, engineering, logistics, manufacturing and supply chain management
• Solid problem solving skills
• Strong presentation skills
• Experience with managing manpower planning, project reviews, scheduling and budget control
• Ability to manage aerospace/defense programs as a prime or subcontractor to a domestic or foreign military organization
• Strong oral and written communication skills
• Program Management certification preferred (i.e. PMP or DAU)

U.S. Citizenship required. This position requires an active DOD security clearance or the ability to obtain such clearance within a reasonable time after commencement of employment.

The salary range for this position is $146,497/year- $227,436/year. This range reflects the good faith estimate of pay the employer is willing to offer at the time of posting. Several factors can influence the pay scale, including but not limited to: Federal contract labor categories and contract wage rates, collective bargaining agreements, geographic location, business considerations, scope, and responsibilities of the position, local or other applicable market conditions, and internal equity. Other factors include the candidate’s qualifications such as prior work experience, specific skills and competencies, education/training, and certifications. In addition to base pay, employees may be eligible for: annual performance-based bonuses, equity awards, and overtime pay (for non-exempt employees as applicable. Our benefits package includes comprehensive health insurance (medical, dental, vision), employer matching 401(k) retirement plan, paid time off including vacation, holidays, and sick leave (including ant state-mandated paid sick leave), parental leave benefits, tuition reimbursement, professional development support, and life and disability insurance coverage.