Program Manager – Software Engineering & Delivery w/ Active Top Secret or DHS Clearance

indev; Ashburn (VA); On-site; USD 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

InDev seeks an experienced Technical Program Manager to lead mission-critical software development and modernization initiatives for a DHS customer. This role demands deep technical leadership across the full SDLC, strong engagement with developers and architects, and the ability to drive rapid delivery while maintaining customer relationships.

You will manage release cycles, coordinate with product owners and architects, and ensure compliance, security, and performance across the program.

Qualifications

• 10+ years managing large federal IT programs.
• 5+ years managing COTS-based projects and modernization initiatives.
• Ability to translate complex mandates into actionable backlogs and decisions.

Responsibilities

• Provide end-to-end technical oversight for Agile software engineering, DevSecOps, and 24/7 O&M for mission-critical apps.
• Lead high-velocity release cycles with compressed timelines and change requests.
• Translate requirements for government product owners and advise on architectural feasibility and risks.
• Champion automated testing, containerization, CI/CD maturity, and cloud-native practices.

Skills

Leadership

Stakeholder management

Communication

SDLC leadership

Agile/DevOps understanding

Education

Bachelor’s degree in CS/Software Eng/IT or related field

Job description

InDev is seeking an experienced Technical Program Manager (TPM) to lead mission-critical software development and technology modernization initiatives for a DHS customer. This is not a traditional administrative PM role. We need a technically strong leader who understands the full software development lifecycle, can engage directly with developers and architects, navigate complex technical challenges, and drive rapid software delivery while effectively managing customer relationships and overall program performance.

YOUR FUTURE DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Technical Program Leadership & Rapid Agile Delivery

• End-to-End Technical Oversight: Provide strategic direction and daily operational oversight for a suite of mission-critical applications across Agile software engineering, DevSecOps pipelines, COTS integration, and 24/7 Operations & Maintenance (O&M).
• Manage High-Velocity Release Cycles: Lead engineering teams through compressed release cycles measured in days and weeks. Maintain agility and focus when handling late-breaking change requests, regulatory mandates, or critical defect remediations right up to production release.
• Technical Translation & Scope Governance: Act as the communication bridge between Government Product Owners and software engineering teams. Translate ambiguous mission mandates into clear technical backlogs while constructively advising federal stakeholders on architectural feasibility, technical debt, and deployment risks.
• Continuous Modernization: Champion automated testing, containerization, CI/CD pipeline maturity, and cloud-native practices across the portfolio to streamline releases and elevate software quality.

Mission Surge & Stakeholder Relationship Management

• Lead High-Visibility Surges: Exhibit the stamina and mission-first leadership required to drive off-hours, weekend, and multi-week surge operations during high-priority executive directives.
• Stakeholder Alignment & Composure: Build high-trust relationships with division leadership, Branch Chiefs, and Product Owners. Maintain a flexible, unflappable, and solutions-oriented demeanor in the face of shifting customer priorities and evolving delivery timelines.
• Ecosystem Collaboration: Partner closely with Product Owners, Scrum Masters, Lead Architects, and DevOps engineers to proactively eliminate technical roadblocks, sequence cross-team dependencies, and maintain sustainable sprint velocity.

Governance, Risk & Contract Performance

• Program Governance & Artifacts: Lead executive status briefings, SLA tracking, Program of Record documentation, Architecture Review Board (ARB) packages, and federal cybersecurity compliance activities.
• Proactive Risk Management: Identify delivery bottlenecks, scope creep, and security hurdles early. Protect team morale and retention during demanding delivery cycles while ensuring strict contract compliance, staffing continuity, subcontractor oversight, and budget baselines.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, Information Technology, or a related field.
• 10+ years of experience managing large-scale federal IT programs, including 5+ years managing COTS-based projects, software development, operations and maintenance, and technology modernization initiatives (preferably with a focus on mobile app delivery).
• Understanding of modern software development, including CI/CD pipelines, cloud environments, and DevSecOps practices.
• Proven experience leading software engineering teams through the full software development lifecycle (SDLC), including rapid release cycles, automated testing, production deployments, and ongoing maintenance.
• Ability to engage directly with developers, architects, and technical leads to evaluate solutions, resolve complex technical challenges, and make informed technical decisions.
• Demonstrated success managing mission-critical software programs with rapidly changing requirements, compressed delivery schedules, and high-priority deployments.
• Experience managing program budgets, staffing, schedules, risks, subcontractors, and contract performance within a federal contracting environment.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to effectively engage both technical teams and senior government executives.

NICE TO HAVES

• PMP, PMI-ACP, Certified ScrumMaster (CSM), or SAFe Program Consultant (SPC) certifications.
• Direct past performance supporting DHS.
• Working familiarity with DHS Systems Engineering Life Cycle (SELC), Technical Review Board (TRB) processes, and federal security authorizations (ATO).

Clearance: U.S. Citizen; Active DHS clearance or Top Secret DoD Clearance.

WHY INDEV

• Innovative Environment:Join a team that thrives on creativity and innovation, where your ideas are not only heard but encouraged.
• Meaningful Impact:Contribute to projects that directly impact federal agencies, driving positive change on a national scale.
• Dynamic Collaboration:Work alongside diverse experts who are passionate about pushing boundaries and making a difference.
• Agile Mindset:Embrace Agile methodologies that encourage flexibility, adaptability, and rapid growth.
• Learning Culture:Enjoy ongoing learning opportunities and professional development to expand your skill set.
• Cutting-edge Tech:Engage with the latest technologies and tools in the data integration landscape.