Program Manager

Dark Wolf; Colorado Springs (CO); Hybrid; USD 150,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Dark Wolf is seeking a Program Manager to oversee technical initiatives within our autonomous systems portfolio. The ideal candidate will have 10–15 years of leadership experience and a strong background in managing complex DoD-focused programs.

Hybrid work is available in Herndon, VA or Colorado Springs, CO. The role emphasizes high-level program management, technical leadership, and secure systems architecture, with a salary range of $150,000 to $190,000 depending on experience and skillset.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or 3+ years of related experience in lieu of degree.
• 12+ years of experience supporting the DoD.
• 6+ years of project and program management experience.
• US Citizenship and an active Secret security clearance.
• Strong technical leadership and analytic ability.

Responsibilities

• Lead and guide engineering teams across diverse skill sets.
• Drive adoption of new technologies and processes.
• Manage technical functions across the program portfolio.
• Architect secure solutions to protect data, platforms and systems.
• Integrate new technologies into existing platforms to boost resilience.
• Interface with technical teams to maintain high-level awareness of cyber operations.
• Ensure compliance with emerging policies and requirements.
• Present complex technical information to non-technical stakeholders clearly.

Skills

Technical leadership

Program management

DoD experience

Security clearance

Team leadership

Education

Bachelor's degree or 3+ years related experience

Job description

Dark Wolf is seeking a Program Manager to oversee technical initiatives and work efforts within our autonomous systems portfolio. The ideal candidate will have 10–15 years of experience leading multi-disciplinary engineering teams and a strong background in managing complex technical projects. While the primary focus of this role is high-level program management and technical leadership, a preferred candidate will possess a cursory operational understanding of specialized testing environments, specifically hardware and software penetration testing methodologies for Unmanned Underwater Vehicles (UUVs) or autonomous systems. This position is expected to be supported in a Hybrid capacity in Herndon, VA or in Colorado Springs, CO.

• Leading and guiding engineering teams of varied skill sets across a diverse portfolio of tools and functions.
• Driving the adoption and implementation of new and emerging technologies and processes.
• Managing technical functions and work efforts across the program portfolio.
• Architecting and engineering secure solutions to protect critical data, platforms, and systems.
• Leading efforts to integrate new technologies into existing platforms to enhance operational posture and resilience.
• Interfacing with technical teams to maintain high-level situational awareness of specialized cyber operations, including hardware/software penetration testing frameworks for tactical platforms (e.g., UUVs, autonomous systems).
• Ensuring compliance with emerging technical policies and requirements.
• Presenting complex technical information—spanning both core infrastructure and specialized edge/UAV environments to non-technical stakeholders clearly and effectively.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Information Assurance, Engineering, or related discipline OR 3+ years of applicable experience in lieu of degree.
• 12+ years of experience supporting the Department of Defense (DoD).
• 6+ years of project and program management experience.
• Proven track record in adopting and implementing new and emerging technologies in technical environments.
• Possesses strong technical leadership skills and analytic ability.
• US Citizenship and an active Secret security clearance.

Desired Qualifications

• A basic familiarity or cursory understanding of the hardware, firmware, and software vulnerabilities associated with autonomous systems.
• General awareness of penetration testing concepts for embedded devices, vehicle networks, or RF communication protocols.

The estimated salary range for this position is $150,000.00 - $190,000.00 commensurate on experience and technical skillset.

We are strictly looking for direct, full-time W2 employees. We do not engage with third-party staffing agencies, C2C, or 1099 independent contractors for this role.

We are proud to be an EEO/AA employer Minorities/Women/Veterans/Disabled and other protected categories.

In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification form upon hire.