Program Manager - DARPA

Chimera Enterprises International; Arlington (VA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

Chimera Enterprises International is seeking a Senior Program Manager to lead contractor support for a high-visibility defense research and development portfolio. In this role, you will ensure business and financial management support is effectively delivered while managing a multidisciplinary team to meet demanding quality standards.

Your key responsibilities will include overseeing both administrative and acquisition-related support activities, managing personnel stability, and serving as the primary interface for senior Government leadership. A Bachelor's degree and minimum 6 years of relevant experience are required.

Qualifications

• Minimum 6 years of experience planning, directing, and coordinating operations in public or private sector organizations.
• At least 3 years in a supervisory role supporting major research and development efforts.
• Active Top Secret (TS) clearance required; SCI eligibility preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead contractor support to a high-visibility defense R&D portfolio.
• Ensure business and financial management support is effectively delivered.
• Direct administrative support to the front office and oversee acquisition-related support.

Skills

Program and portfolio management in a defense or R&D environment

Strong leadership, workforce management

Stakeholder engagement capabilities

Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite

Excellent communication, briefing, and technical writing skills

Education

Bachelor’s degree in business, management, engineering, or a related field

Tools

Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Project)

Job description

Job Summary

We are seeking a Senior Program Manager to lead contractor support to a high‑visibility defense research and development portfolio. This position oversees the day‑to‑day execution of a complex mix of financial, administrative, acquisition, and technical support activities. As a designated Key Person, you will manage a multidisciplinary team, ensure performance meets demanding quality standards, and serve as a primary interface to senior Government leadership.

Key Responsibilities

The Senior Program Manager provides overall leadership and direction for all contractor activities supporting the customer’s office. In this role, you will help senior leadership execute strategic plans and priorities, translating broad guidance into coordinated actions across your team. You will ensure that business and financial management support—such as planning, executing, and tracking front‑office and program budgets—is effectively delivered, and that financial products and reports are accurate, timely, and decision‑ready.

You will direct administrative support to the front office, including management of taskings, calendars, meetings, events, travel coordination, and records, and you will make sure that day‑to‑day operations run smoothly and professionally. You will oversee acquisition‑related support across the full lifecycle of program actions, ensuring that solicitation materials, documentation, and communication with contracting and legal stakeholders are coordinated and maintained on schedule. In partnership with senior technical and analytical staff, you will coordinate support for research and development transition activities, including stakeholder engagement, formal agreement documentation, transition analysis, and associated communication products.

A major focus of the role is personnel leadership. You will manage workforce stability, coverage, backfill planning, and continuity across the contract, with particular attention to the performance and availability of key personnel. You will be responsible for ensuring that key positions are staffed on time and that any changes are carefully managed to avoid mission disruption. You will also participate in formal reviews and governance meetings with Government counterparts, address issues or concerns promptly and professionally, and continuously look for opportunities to enhance service quality and customer satisfaction.

Qualifications and Requirements

• Education:
  • Bachelor’s degree in business, management, engineering, or a related field.
• Experience:
  • Minimum 6 years of experience planning, directing, and coordinating operations in public or private sector organizations.
  • Demonstrated experience developing, implementing, and executing plans for overall contract management, including contract administration, security, training, and quality assurance.
  • At least 3 years in a supervisory role supporting major research and development efforts for defense or national security organizations.
  • Proven experience providing regulatory compliance oversight and approval of contract‑related expenses.
• Security Clearance:
  • Active Top Secret (TS) clearance required; SCI eligibility preferred.
• Key Skills:
  • Program and portfolio management in a defense or R&D environment.
  • Strong leadership, workforce management, and stakeholder engagement capabilities.
  • Proficiency with Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Project) and collaboration tools.
  • Excellent communication, briefing, and technical writing skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience leading contractor support to DARPA or similar advanced research organizations.
• Background working with financial management, acquisition, and technical teams on integrated support contracts.
• Prior experience serving as key personnel on Federal advisory and assistance (A&AS) or SETA contracts.