Program Manager at Owl Cyber Defense Columbia, MD

Owl Cyber Defense; Columbia (MD); Hybrid; USD 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work model

Job summary

Owl Cyber Defense seeks a seasoned Program Manager in Solutions Engineering, based in the Columbia, MD area. You will own multiple complex programs, drive plans and budgets, and coordinate across engineering, product, and business teams to ensure on-time delivery.

You will mitigate risks, manage resources, and maintain contract compliance with government requirements. Strong leadership, communication, and cross‑functional collaboration are essential for success.

Qualifications

• Bachelor-level degree in a related field; PMP strongly preferred.
• 10+ years in technical program or project management in software, cybersecurity, or tech manufacturing.
• Experience with SDLC and government contracting processes.

Responsibilities

• Own multiple programs from initiation to completion and drive plans, budgets, and schedules.
• Identify, assess, and mitigate risks across regulatory and operational areas including cybersecurity.
• Ensure contract compliance by applying government and industry regulations.
• Provide resource management and liaison with internal and external stakeholders.
• Lead change control processes and elevate issues to maintain program health.

Skills

Risk Management

SDLC

Leadership

Communication

Cross-functional Coordination

Education

B.S. in Computer Science, Engineering, Cybersecurity, Information Systems

PMP certification preferred

Tools

MS Project

Excel

Job description

Program Manager in Solutions Engineering at Owl Cyber Defense, Columbia, MD. Reports to VP, Program Management.

Job Summary

Owl Cyber Defense is seeking a highly motivated and hands‑on Program Manager with 10+ years of experience managing complex projects in software development, cybersecurity, or technology product manufacturing. The Program Manager is fully accountable for project success, ensuring timely execution, scope management, budget control, risk mitigation, and resource allocation. The ideal candidate must have strong leadership, strategic thinking, and problem‑solving abilities, with experience in cross‑functional coordination, government contracting, and regulatory compliance. This role requires clear and professional communication, the ability to prioritize and elevate issues when necessary, and a proactive approach to program execution.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Take full ownership of multiple concurrent programs and projects from initiation to completion.
• Develop and execute project plans, budgets, and schedules, ensuring alignment with business and technical objectives.
• Identify, assess, and mitigate risks across technical, compliance, and operational areas, including cybersecurity, regulatory requirements, and program execution.
• Ensure contract compliance by interpreting and applying government and industry regulations, maintaining meticulous attention to detail.
• Provide resource management and allocation, optimizing team performance and efficiency.
• Serve as the primary liaison with internal stakeholders and external partners, including government Program Managers (PMs), Contracting Officers (CORs), and customer Points of Contact (POCs).
• Establish and enforce change control processes, ensuring proper documentation of project requirements and modifications.
• Proactively prioritize tasks and elevate issues when necessary to maintain efficient workload management.
• Drive operational efficiency by implementing best practices in program and business process management.
• Lead status reporting, risk management, and stakeholder communication, providing regular updates to leadership.
• Facilitate cross‑functional collaboration between engineering, product, and business teams to ensure successful project execution.
• Align program objectives with business strategy, influencing decisions to enhance program success.

Requirements / Qualifications

• Education & Certifications
  • BS or BA in Computer Science, Engineering, Cybersecurity, Information Systems, or a related field.
  • Project Management Professional (PMP) certification strongly preferred.
• Experience
  • 10+ years of experience in technical program or project management within software development, cybersecurity, or technology manufacturing.
  • Hands‑on experience managing software development life cycle (SDLC) projects.
  • Previous technical experience in software development, systems engineering, or cybersecurity operations is highly desirable.
• Knowledge, Skills, Abilities and Competencies
  • Proven expertise in risk management, including identification, assessment, and mitigation of cybersecurity, regulatory, and operational risks.
  • Working knowledge of SDLC and software project management.
  • Familiarity with defense contracting and program management processes.
  • Strong strategic thinking, with the ability to align program execution with business objectives.
  • Excellent communication and leadership skills, with the ability to interact effectively across all levels of the organization.
  • Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, including Word, Excel, and Project.
• Security Clearance Requirement
  • Candidates must have an active US Government security clearance (Secret at a minimum; TS/SCI preferred).
• Work Location & Hybrid Work Policy
  • Candidates must be local to the DC Metro area (Columbia, MD, DC, Northern Virginia).
  • This role offers a hybrid work arrangement:
    • 80% remote work (work from home).
    • 20% in‑person presence at the Columbia, MD office and/or customer sites for key meetings and collaboration.

About Owl Cyber Defense Solutions, LLC

Owl Cyber Defense Solutions, LLC is a fast‑growing cybersecurity solutions company, holding a firm leadership position in network security and secure information transfer. It is a privately‑owned US company with offices in Columbia, MD, Danbury, CT and Morrisville, NC.

Owl Cyber Defense is an Equal Opportunity / Aff. All qualified applicants will receive equal consideration for employment.