Program Manager SME

KBR; Beavercreek (OH); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

KBR’s National Security Solutions team seeks a Program Manager SME to lead a high-impact Air Force lifecycle engagement. You will shape acquisition strategies, provide executive-level guidance, and coordinate with government stakeholders to ensure program success and growth for KBR in a complex defense environment.

The role requires a seasoned DoD acquisition professional with senior leadership experience and a track record of driving program execution while maintaining strong client

Qualifications

• Master’s degree required with 15+ years in DoD acquisition
• Senior Government Acquisition Management experience preferred
• Strong decision-making and planning based on customer needs and data
• Proven cross-functional collaboration experience
• Excellent communication, budgeting/finance, and leadership skills

Responsibilities

• Lead execution of a strategic client engagement with responsibility for performance, profitability, staffing, and delivery quality
• Establish trusted advisor relationships with client leadership and stakeholders
• Understand client mission objectives, priorities and challenges
• Support development of acquisition strategies and security classification guidance for DoD programs
• Collaborate across KBR units to deliver integrated solutions
• Foster collaboration with leaders to ensure resources and mission success
• Mentor and lead project personnel to a culture of excellence and customer focus

Skills

Strategic leadership

Customer engagement

Acquisition management

Budgeting & finance

Cross-functional collaboration

Communication

Leadership

Education

Master’s degree in business/engineering/aerospace

Job description

Title:

Program Manager SME

Belong. Connect. Grow. with KBR!

KBR’s National Security Solutions team provides high-end engineering and advanced technology solutions to our customers in the intelligence and national security communities. In this position, your work will have a profound impact on the country’s most critical role – protecting our national security.

Why Join Us?

• Innovative Projects: KBR’s work is at the forefront of engineering, logistics, operations, science, program management, mission IT and cybersecurity solutions.
• Collaborative Environment: Be part of a dynamic team that thrives on collaboration and innovation, fostering a supportive and intellectually stimulating workplace.
• Impactful Work: Your contributions will be pivotal in designing and optimizing defense systems that ensure national security and shape the future of space defense.

Serve as KBR's senior lead for a new engagement supporting the Air Force Life Cycle Management Center (AFLCMC). Partner closely with government stakeholders to support the development of acquisition strategies, security classification guidance, and other acquisition management activities for a new ACAT II program. As a trusted advisor, identify client challenges, align KBR capabilities to mission needs, and proactively uncover opportunities to expand the value KBR provides. The successful candidate will demonstrate flexibility and leadership in supporting additional clients and growth initiatives as requirements emerge.

This position requires a highly accomplished professional with exceptional business acumen, executive presence, leadership capability, customer relationship management expertise, and strong analytical and problem-solving skills. The ideal candidate will have a proven track record of successfully leading complex defense programs, building enduring client relationships, and driving business growth within the Department of Defense environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead overall execution of a strategic client engagement, with responsibility for project performance, profitability, staffing, resource allocation, and delivery quality.
• Establish and maintain trusted advisor relationships with client leadership and key stakeholders.
• Develop a comprehensive understanding of client mission objectives, operational priorities, and emerging challenges.
• Support the development of acquisition strategies, security classification guidance, and other acquisition management activities for a new ACAT II program.
• Collaborate across KBR business units and technical organizations to bring innovative, integrated solutions to current and prospective customers.
• Build and maintain strong partnerships with KBR functional and business leaders to ensure effective collaboration, resource alignment, and mission success.
• Mentor and lead project personnel while fostering a culture of excellence, accountability, collaboration, and customer focus.

Preferred Candidate Profile

The ideal candidate is a seasoned defense acquisition professional with demonstrated experience supporting Air Force programs, leading customer-facing engagements, and managing complex program execution. They possess the credibility and strategic mindset to operate effectively with senior government officials while identifying opportunities to expand customer relationships and deliver long-term business growth for KBR.

Work Environment

Work Environment:
Location: Dayton, Ohio
Travel Requirements: Minimal 0-20%
Working Hours: Standard

Required Qualifications

Clearance Requirement: Top Secret

• Master’s degree in business / engineering / aerospace and 15+ years of experience in DoD acquisition community
• Held senior Government Acquisition Management position
• Demonstrated ability to make decisions and develop plans based on a deep understanding of customer needs and data
• Proven experience collaborating with cross-functional teams
• Excellent communication skills, superior knowledge of business functions, exceptional budgeting, and finance skills, and strong organizational and leadership skills

Desired Qualifications

• 5 years of experience leading teams in DoD acquisition community

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’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.