Program Acquisition Specialist

Piper Companies; El Segundo (CA); On-site; USD 160,000 - 175,000; Full time

Job summary

Zachary Piper Solutions is seeking a Program Acquisition Specialist to support a DoD program in El Segundo, CA. This on-site role requires advising on acquisition strategies, schedules, budgeting, and program execution across government and contractor teams.

The candidate will draft planning documentation per DoD 5000.02, coordinate TIMs, and perform program assessments. Security clearance and polygraph consent are required, with preferred PMP and advanced degrees.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience in DoD government weapon systems acquisition, program management, and/or contracts management.
• Bachelor’s degree in Business Management or equivalent.
• Experience with the DoD Major Capability Acquisition process.
• Experience with the Joint Capabilities Integration and Development System (JCIDS) process.
• Experience with the Planning, Programming, Budgeting, and Execution (PPBE) process.
• Must have an in-scope T5 or SSBI security background investigation, adjudicated for SCI eligibility and enrollment in the Continuous Evaluation program, if applicable.
• Must be willing to be nominated for access to Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI) and Special Access Programs (SAP) and consent to a Polygraph examination.
• Master’s degree in Business Management, Technical Management, Engineering, or a related discipline (preferred).
• Professional certification such as a PMI Project Management Professional (PMP) (preferred).
• Experience supporting National Security Space and/or the Space Control mission area (preferred).

Responsibilities

• Advise Program and Project Managers on acquisition strategies, schedules, contracting, budgeting, and program execution.
• Develop and coordinate acquisition plans, program schedules, status reports, and executive-level program briefings.
• Draft and coordinate program planning and execution documentation in accordance with DoDI 5000.02, the DoD Acquisition Framework, Air Force policies, and applicable local unit requirements, including policies related to rapid prototyping.
• Coordinate and support staff meetings and Technical Interchange Meetings (TIMs) across government and contractor teams.
• Conduct technical and programmatic assessments of contractor design and milestone reviews, evaluating program progress, risks, issues, and the ability to meet mission requirements.
• Support program element coordination, staffing, and monitoring throughout program execution.
• Advise and assist government customers with funding commitments, obligations, expenditures, and overall financial execution.
• Develop and support the delivery of program funding documentation and monthly financial reports.

Skills

DoD weapon systems acquisition

Program management

Contracts management

DoD Major Capability Acquisition

JCIDS

PPBE

SCI eligibility

Polygraph

National Security Space

Space Control mission area

DoD acquisition

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Business Management

Master’s degree (preferred) in Business Management/Technical Management/Engineering

Tools

PMP certification

Job description

Zachary Piper Solutions is seeking a Program Acquisition Specialist to support a mission-critical DoD program in El Segundo, CA. This is an ONSITE position in El Segundo, CA.

The Program Acquisition Specialist will provide acquisition and program management support to government Program Managers, advising on acquisition strategies, schedules, contracting, budgeting, and program execution. This position will support DoD acquisition planning and execution, program reviews, acquisition documentation, financial management, and coordination across government and contractor teams.

Responsibilities of the Program Acquisition Specialist:

• Advise Program and Project Managers on acquisition strategies, schedules, contracting, budgeting, and program execution.
• Develop and coordinate acquisition plans, program schedules, status reports, and executive-level program briefings.
• Draft and coordinate program planning and execution documentation in accordance with DoDI 5000.02, the DoD Acquisition Framework, Air Force policies, and applicable local unit requirements, including policies related to rapid prototyping.
• Coordinate and support staff meetings and Technical Interchange Meetings (TIMs) across government and contractor teams.
• Conduct technical and programmatic assessments of contractor design and milestone reviews, evaluating program progress, risks, issues, and the ability to meet mission requirements.
• Support program element coordination, staffing, and monitoring throughout program execution.
• Advise and assist government customers with funding commitments, obligations, expenditures, and overall financial execution.
• Develop and support the delivery of program funding documentation and monthly financial reports.

Qualifications for the Program Acquisition Specialist:

• 5+ years of experience in DoD government weapon systems acquisition, program management, and/or contracts management.
• Bachelor’s degree in Business Management or an equivalent business-related discipline.
• Experience with the DoD Major Capability Acquisition process.
• Experience with the Joint Capabilities Integration and Development System (JCIDS) process.
• Experience with the Planning, Programming, Budgeting, and Execution (PPBE) process.
• Must have an in-scope T5 or SSBI security background investigation, adjudicated for SCI eligibility and enrollment in the Continuous Evaluation program, if applicable.
• Must be willing to be nominated for access to Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI) and Special Access Programs (SAP) and consent to a Polygraph examination.
• Highly Preferred:
  • Master’s degree in Business Management, Technical Management, Engineering, or a related discipline.
  • Professional certification such as a PMI Project Management Professional (PMP).
  • Experience supporting National Security Space and/or the Space Control mission area.

Compensation for the Program Acquisition Specialist:

• Salary Range: $160,000 - $175,000 *depending on experience*
• Comprehensive Benefits: Medical, Dental, Vision, 401k Plan, PTO, Holidays, Sick Leave if required by law

This job opens for applications on 09/28/26. Applications for this job will be accepted for at least 30 days from the posting date.

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