Program Manager

SARA; Colorado Springs (CO); On-site; USD 80,000 - 115,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Disability insurance

Life insurance

PTO

Tuition reimbursement

Certification reimbursement

Flexible work schedules

Discretionary bonuses

401(k) match

ESOP

Job summary

SARA's High Power Electromagnetics Division in Colorado Springs seeks a Program Manager to guide multiple R&D programs from concept to delivery for DoD and DoE customers. You will lead engineers, scientists, and technicians, ensuring milestones, budgets, and customer requirements are met.

The role demands strong leadership, excellent communication, and the ability to manage cross-functional teams in a fast-paced environment while maintaining security clearance readiness and compliance.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in engineering or related field required.
• 2–4 years of program management experience.
• US citizenship with ability to obtain DoD Top Secret clearance.
• Strong communication and stakeholder management.

Responsibilities

• Oversee cost, schedule, and tasking for multiple R&D programs.
• Act as liaison between customers, technical lead, and engineering team.
• Lead multi-disciplinary teams to meet milestones.
• Provide program status updates to senior management and customers.
• Prepare technical proposals and risk assessments.
• Interface with government sponsors and internal directors.

Skills

Program management

Leadership

Communication

DoD familiarity

Travel willingness

Education

Bachelor's degree in engineering or related field

Tools

Costpoint

ProPricer

MS Project

Job description

Scientific Applications & Research Associates, Inc. (SARA) is a world-class Defense Research and Development enterprise, with a charter to create new and emerging technology innovations in support of Commercial & Government organizations. We have expertise in RF, EMP, Pulsed Power, Acoustics and Threat Warning Systems, and we prioritize partnering with our customers to address real-world problems with cost-effective solutions… that work.

The SARA High Power Electromagnetics Division (HPEM) is looking for a remarkably talented, motivated, and imaginative Program Manager to support research and development activities and transition innovative technologies to the DoD, DoE, and their contractors in Colorado Springs, CO. The candidate will have the opportunity to grow and learn with talented engineers, physicists, and technicians on long-standing programs and new programs supporting our customers. Our small group will allow the candidate to experience, contribute, and collaborate in a multidisciplinary nature from conception all the way through to operation.

Candidates must be strong team leaders and participants, have excellent communication skills, be resourceful and creative, and willing to learn from and lead junior, mid, and senior-level engineers, scientists, and technicians in a multidisciplinary engineering environment.

The Program Manager will be responsible for direct management of multiple R&D programs in a fast-paced and rapidly evolving environment with oversight of multi-disciplinary teams to ensure timely execution of program milestones and deliverables. Will work closely with government sponsors and lead a multi-functional team to build and deliver end-user products, provide training and logistics support, and ensure product reliability and availability.

Core Responsibilities

• Overseeing direct management of cost, schedule, and tasking for multiple R&D HPEM programs in a fast-paced and rapidly evolving environment
• Act as liaison between customers, technical lead, and engineering team to execute the program objectives and adapt/prioritize tasking as necessary
• Providing oversight and leadership to multi-disciplinary teams operating within/between HPEM division's various departments to achieve timely execution of program milestones
• Effectively communicating program directions and objectives to all skills levels, from technicians to senior engineers up to senior scientists
• Ensuring program execution remains focused on customer requirements and as requirements evolve working to quickly inform appropriate team members with updates
• Interfacing with various SARA Division Directors, working to implement technical and managerial visions across various projects
• Maintaining regular communications with customers and partners while working with the technical leads to implement requested scope changes and/or additions, brainstorming ways to provide additional capabilities to stakeholders
• Interfacing with customers on issues that may arise and working with teams as well as technical leads to facilitate timely resolutions, as needed
• Creating and providing financial/technical program status updates and briefings to senior-level personnel and customers
• Preparing technical proposals, including technical volumes, system requirements, schedules/milestones, budgets, assumptions, and risks
• Providing input and recommendations for internal R&D strategic planning for business opportunities and avenues for company growth
• Keep junior level engineers aligned with the program mission (big picture)

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in relevant engineering or project field
• 2 4 years of program management experience
• Flexibility to work as part of a diverse team that is located both remotely and on-site
• Strong oral and written communication skills with intermediate-level expertise with MS Word, PowerPoint, Excel, and Project
• Proven time-management skills; able to thrive in a rapidly changing, deadline-driven environment
• US Citizen with the ability to obtain and maintain DoD Top Secret security clearance
• May require light physical effort, involving standing, sitting and use of hands while performing duties, carrying or lifting up to 50 pounds
• Working environment is indoor, moderately quiet, reasonably clean, well-lighted and well-ventilated, moderate physical hazards may exist

Preferred Qualifications

• 5 7 years of program management experience (or Master's degree in relevant field in lieu of additional experience)
• 2 years in DoD government contracting
• Active Top-Secret security clearance
• Strong leadership skills, with the ability to quickly identify and resolve issues and motivate others to achieve their best
• Proven problem-solving skills with a background in system engineering and integration efforts such as developing system/subsystem requirements, integration plans, and test methodologies
• Experience with Costpoint accounting systems
• Experience with government contract pricing software such as ProPricer
• Ability to travel up to 10% of the year
• Project Management Professional (PMP) certification
• Knowledge of FAR and DFARS

SARA offers a competitive benefits package to include

• Medical, dental, vision, disability and life insurance; and other supplemental programs
• A generous PTO program (vacation, sick, holiday)
• Tuition & certification reimbursement
• Flexible work schedules
• Discretionary Employee bonuses
• 401(k) match/profit sharing
• Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP)

Pay Range

Salary at SARA is determined by various factors, including but not limited to location, the individual's particular combination of education, knowledge, skills, competencies, and experience, as well as contract-specific affordability and organizational requirements. The projected compensation range for this position is $80,000 - $115,000 (annualized USD). The estimate displayed represents the typical salary range for this position and is just one component of SARA's total compensation package for employees. Positions are on-site, unless indicated otherwise.

Application Deadline

August 31, 2026

SARA is an equal employment opportunity employer.