Program Manager

Cayuse Holdings; Haleakalā Observatories (HI); On-site; USD 175,000 - 209,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, Dental and Vision Insurance

Wellness Program

Flexible Spending Accounts

Disability Insurance

Life Insurance

401(k) with matching

Paid Time Off

Job summary

Cayuse Holdings is seeking a Program Manager to lead and oversee O&M performance for a multi-site contract across Maui, HI, Socorro, NM, and Diego Garcia. You will ensure cost, schedule, staffing, quality, security, and mission-critical outcomes with accountability for program objectives.

The role requires strong leadership, cross-site coordination, and the ability to manage staffing plans, transitions, risk mitigation, and PMRs while maintaining standards and customer satisfaction in a

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, business, program management, space operations, or a related discipline is strongly preferred.
• Advanced education, such as a master’s degree, is highly desirable.
• Equivalent senior military experience or defense program management expertise may be considered in lieu of formal educational requirements.
• Minimum of 10 years of progressively responsible experience within technical services or operations and maintenance missions.
• At least 5 years of experience managing geographically dispersed, classified, multi-site programs or 24/7 mission-critical environments.
• Strong preference for space domain awareness and/or optical sensor operations; ability to lead multidisciplinary teams.
• Strong strategic thinking and decision-making skills to uphold performance objectives.
• Top Secret/ SCI Clearance is required.

Responsibilities

• Lead contract operations and ensure successful execution of program objectives across multiple sites.
• Act as primary point of contact with internal leadership and external partners.
• Oversee transition planning, staffing, subcontractor coordination, and risk mitigation; conduct PMRs for operational excellence.
• Ensure all program documentation remains updated and compliant with standards.
• Direct cross-training and develop a succession/continuity plan for leadership stability.
• Provide after-hours support for incident response and mission-critical activities.

Skills

Interpersonal skills

Verbal & written communication

Organization & analysis

Multitasking

Independent work

Confidential information handling

MS Office proficiency

Education

Bachelor’s degree in engineering, business, program management, space operations, or related

Master’s degree

Equivalent senior military or defense program management experience

Tools

PMP certification

TS/SCI clearance

Job description

Overview

Employment in this role is conditional upon successful execution of the contract by the client.

The Work

The Program Manager will lead and oversee all Operations and Maintenance (O&M) performance for the for our client's program across multiple globally dispersed sites in Maui, HI, Socorro, NM, and Diego Garcia, NSF. The Program Manager will be responsible for ensuring successful performance across cost, schedule, staffing, quality, security, and mission-critical outcomes.

This position aligns with Cayuse’s core values of Innovation, Excellence, Collaboration, Adaptability, and Integrity by fostering technical solutions that meet customer needs, promoting teamwork, and prioritizing quality in deliverables.

Responsibilities

Key Responsibilities

• Program Leadership: Serve as the key decision-maker and leader for the contract operations, ensuring the successful execution of all program objectives. Maintain accountability for cost, schedule performance, staffing, quality assurance, operational security, and mission success across all assigned sites.
• Stakeholder Collaboration: Act as the primary point of contact with internal leadership and external partners, fostering collaboration and alignment with mission objectives.
• Operational Oversight: Manage program transition planning, staffing efforts, subcontractor coordination, and risk mitigation. Address performance objectives, implement corrective actions, and oversee Program Management Reviews (PMRs) to ensure operational excellence.
• Compliance and Quality Assurance: Ensure all program documentation—including the management plan, staffing chart, vacancy-fill plans, quality program guidelines, contingency plans, and deliverables. remains updated and compliant with established standards and requirements.
• Staffing and Training: Direct cross-training and coordination to ensure consistent team coverage and operational reliability. Develop and implement a documented management succession and continuity plan to maintain leadership stability.
• Emergency Support: Provide after-hours support for incident response, deadlines, or mission-critical exercises when required. Maintain operational readiness for geographically separated, classified, and rotating mission schedules.
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Qualifications – Here’s What You Need

The qualifications and skills listed below are intended to provide a general overview of the requirements for this position. However, due to the anticipated nature of the contract and the absence of a finalized task order from the client, this list should not be considered all-encompassing. Additional qualifications, certifications, skills, or experience specific to the client’s requirements may be identified and requested upon award of the task order. Candidates should demonstrate flexibility and a willingness to adapt to evolving responsibilities as outlined by the client.

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, business, program management, space operations, or a related discipline is strongly preferred.
• Advanced education, such as a master’s degree, is highly desirable.
• Equivalent senior military experience or defense program management expertise may be considered in lieu of formal educational requirements.
• Minimum of 10 years of progressively responsible experience within technical services or operations and maintenance missions.
• At least 5 years of experience managing geographically dispersed, classified, multi-site programs or 24/7 mission-critical environments.
• Strong preference for previous experience with space domain awareness and/or optical sensor operations. Demonstrated capacity to lead multidisciplinary teams and collaborate effectively with organizational stakeholders in high-pressure environments.
• Strong strategic thinking and decision-making skills to uphold performance objectives and mission-critical goals.
• Top Secret/ SCI Clearance is required.
• Must be able to pass a background check. May require additional background checks as required by projects and/or clients at any time during employment.

Minimum Skills:

• Exceptional interpersonal skills with the ability to communicate in a clear, professional, and articulate manner.
• Exceptional verbal and written communication skills.
• Excellent organizational, analytical, and problem-solving skills with high-level attention to detail.
• Proven ability to multitask and prioritize in a fast past environment with changing priorities; adaptable to change and a quick learner.
• Must be self-motivated and able to work well independently as well as on a multi-functional team.
• Ability to handle sensitive and confidential information appropriately
• Proficient in MS Office, Word, Outlook, PowerPoint, and Excel.

Preferred Qualifications:

• A Program Management Professional (PMP) certification or an equivalent program management credential is preferred.
• Proven success in leading programs within the space domain awareness sector.
• Familiarity with optical sensor systems and/or related technologies.

Our Commitment to you / overview of benefits

• Medical, Dental and Vision Insurance; Wellness Program
• Flexible Spending Accounts (Healthcare, Dependent Care, Commuter)
• Short-Term and Long-Term Disability options
• Basic Life and AD&D Insurance (Company Provided)
• Voluntary Life and AD&D options401(k) Retirement Savings Plan with matching after one year
• Paid Time Off

Reports to: Managing Director

Working Conditions

• Professional office environment and technical environment supporting classified operations dispersed geographically across time zones.
• 24/7 operational readiness, with an expectation of occasional after-hours support for incidents, exercises, deadlines, and travel obligations.
• Must be physically and mentally able to perform duties extended periods of time.
• Ability to use a computer and other office productivity tools with sufficient speed to meet the demands of this position.
• Must be able to establish a productive and professional workspace.
• Must be able to sit for long periods of time looking at computer screen.
• May be asked to work a flexible schedule which may include holidays.
• May be asked to travel for business or professional development purposes.
• May be asked to work hours outside of normal business hours.

Other Duties: Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive list of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Cayuse is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All employment decisions are based on merit, qualifications, skills, and abilities. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment in accordance with any applicable federal, state, or local law.

Pay Range

USD $174,800.00 - USD $209,000.00 /Yr.