Program Manager

KBR, Inc.; Washington; On-site; USD 228,000 - 343,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

KBR Benefits

Bonus potential

Job summary

KBR, Inc. is seeking a senior Program Manager to lead a nationwide, safety-critical air traffic controller training program for the FAA. The role oversees 800 personnel and a >$100M annual budget across 300+ sites, including the FAA Academy and field facilities.

The ideal candidate has 15+ years in program management in regulated environments, PMP certification, and experience with safety and quality frameworks. The position reports to FAA stakeholders and supports 24/7 operations.

Qualifications

• 15+ years of program management experience leading large, multi-site programs.
• Master’s degree or equivalent with relevant aviation/defense experience.
• PMP certification active and demonstrated federal contract background.

Responsibilities

• Provide end-to-end leadership for a nationwide training program across 300+ sites.
• Oversee budget, schedule, metrics, risk management, and staffing.
• Liaise with FAA stakeholders and ensure safety and regulatory compliance.
• Drive modernization via simulations and data-driven performance management.

Skills

Program management

Stakeholder management

Safety/compliance

Aviation industry knowledge

Education

Master’s degree in business/management/aviation

Bachelor’s degree with experience

Tools

PMP certification

SMS/QA frameworks

Job description

Title:

Program Manager

Belong. Connect. Grow. with KBR!

Around here, we define the future.

We are a company of innovators, thinkers, creators, explorers, volunteers, and dreamers. But we all share one goal: to improve the world responsibly and safely.

At KBR, we are passionate about our people and our Zero Harm culture. These inform all that we do and are at the heart of our commitment to an ongoing journey toward being a People First company.

That commitment is central to our team of team’s philosophy and fosters an environment where everyone can Belong, Connect and Grow. We Deliver – Together.

THIS POSITION IS CONTINGENT UPON CONTRACT AWARD.

KBR is seeking a senior Program Manager to lead a nationwide, safety‑critical air traffic controller training program supporting the Federal Aviation Administration. This multi‑year program delivers continuous, year‑round training across 300+ locations nationwide, including the FAA Academy and field facilities. The Program Manager will oversee a workforce on the order of 800 personnel and manage an annual budget greater than $100M+ (multi‑hundred‑million‑dollar total contract value). The role serves as primary interface with the FAA Program Office and is accountable for program performance, safety, and regulatory compliance.

Core Responsibilities

• Provide end‑to‑end leadership for a nationwide training program delivering thousands of training events annually to over 2,000 trainees per year in support of the National Airspace System.
• Lead and coordinate distributed operations across 300+ training sites, including Academy‑based and field training activities.
• Manage and lead a large, geographically dispersed workforce (hundreds of active instructors and support staff at any time), ensuring consistent training quality and staffing readiness.
• Oversee program budget (~$100M+ annually), schedule, performance metrics, and risk management.
• Serve as primary liaison to FAA stakeholders, providing program reviews, performance reporting, and issue resolution.
• Establish and enforce Safety Management System (SMS) and Quality Assurance / Quality Control processes appropriate for 24/7 safety‑critical training operations.
• Drive continuous improvement and modernization, including adoption of advanced simulation, digital training tools, and data‑driven performance management.

Qualifications (Required)

• 15+ years of program management experience (or 20+ years with a bachelor’s degree) leading large, multi‑site programs with 500+ personnel and annual budgets on the order of $100M+ in safety‑critical or highly regulated environments (e.g., aviation, defense).
• Master’s degree in business, management, aviation, or related field (or bachelor’s degree with additional experience as noted above).
• Project Management Professional (PMP) certification (active).
• Demonstrated success managing nationwide operations, complex stakeholder environments, and federal contracts.
• Proven experience implementing safety, quality, and compliance frameworks in mission‑critical programs.

Preferred Qualifications

• Direct experience with FAA, DOT, or air traffic operations/training programs.
• Familiarity with the National Airspace System (NAS) and controller training environments.
• Experience leading programs exceeding 1,000 personnel or $500M+ total value.
• Background in training modernization, simulation‑based training, or data‑driven performance improvement.
• Additional safety or quality certifications (e.g., SMS, ISO‑based quality systems).

Basic Compensation

$228,400-$342,600. This range is for the Washington, D.C. area

The offered rate will be based on the selected candidate’s working location, knowledge, skills, abilities and/or experience and in consideration of internal parity.

Additional Compensation

KBR may offer bonuses, commissions, or other forms of compensation to certain job titles or levels, per internal policy or contractual designation. Additional compensation may be in the form of sign on bonus, relocation benefits, short-term incentives, long-term incentives, or discretionary payments for exceptional performance.

At KBR, we are passionate about our people and our Zero Harm culture. These inform all that we do and are at the heart of our commitment to, and ongoing journey toward being a People First company. That commitment is central to our team of team’s philosophy and fosters an environment where everyone can Belong, Connect and Grow. We Deliver – Together.

KBR Benefits

KBR offers a selection of competitive lifestyle benefits which could include 401K plan with company match, medical, dental, vision, life insurance, AD&D, flexible spending account, disability, paid time off, or flexible work schedule. We support career advancement through professional training and development. Click here to learn more: https://careers.kbr.com/us/en/kbr-benefits

Belong, Connect and Grow at KBR

At KBR, we are passionate about our people and our Zero Harm culture. These inform all that we do and are at the heart of our commitment to, and ongoing journey toward being a People First company. That commitment is central to our team of team’s philosophy and fosters an environment where everyone can Belong, Connect and Grow. We Deliver – Together.

KBR is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, national origin, veteran status, genetic information, union status and/or beliefs, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law.