Program Manager - TSA Acceptance Testing Support Services (ATSS)

Battelle; Virginia, Northern (IL, KY); Hybrid; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Compressed work schedule

Hybrid work model

Paid time off

Wellness benefits

401(k) plan with company match

Job summary

Battelle seeks an experienced Program Manager to lead execution of the Transportation Security Administration's Acceptance Testing Support Services (ATSS) program, a hybrid role located in Crystal City, VA.

This high‑impact leadership position requires deep experience managing complex federal programs, cross‑functional teams, and delivery in regulated environments, with responsibility for program execution, staffing, quality, compliance, and customer engagement across multiple task orders.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in engineering, physical sciences, systems engineering, operations, or related field with 7+ years of Program Management experience including 10+ years specializing in Federal programs of similar size and complexity.
• Active Project Management Professional (PMP) certification and ability to engage with federal clients and senior stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Lead program execution for TSA Acceptance Testing Support Services, ensuring alignment with contract scope, schedule, quality, staffing, and cost.
• Serve as the primary program-level interface with TSA stakeholders and Contracting Officers.
• Direct and manage cross-functional teams supporting testing and evaluation across multiple task orders nationwide.
• Develop and maintain program management processes for transition, monitoring, scheduling, staffing, risk, and subcontractor coordination.
• Oversee staffing plans, recruitment, retention, and training to ensure workforce readiness.
• Oversee safety and quality performance and ensure compliance with TSA, DHS, FAR, HSAR, and privacy requirements.

Skills

Program management

Federal programs

PMP certification

Stakeholder engagement

Team leadership

Education

Bachelor's degree in engineering, physical sciences, systems engineering, operations, or related field

Advanced degree preferred

Job description

Battelle delivers when others can't. We conduct research and development, manage national laboratories, design and manufacture products and deliver critical services for our clients-whether they are a multi-national corporation, a small start-up or a government agency.

We recognize and appreciate the value and contributions of individuals from a wide range of backgrounds and experiences and welcome all qualified individuals to apply.

Job Summary

Battelle is seeking an experienced Program Manager to lead execution of work supporting the Transportation Security Administration's Acceptance Testing Support Services (ATSS) program, supporting a broad range of testing and evaluation activities nationwide. This is a hybrid position located in Crystal City, VA.

This is a high-impact leadership role for a professional with deep experience managing complex federal programs, leading multidisciplinary teams, and delivering high-quality performance in regulated, mission-critical environments. The successful candidate will be responsible for program execution, staffing, quality, compliance, customer engagement, and overall contract performance across multiple task orders.

Responsibilities

• Lead program execution for TSA Acceptance Testing Support Services efforts, ensuring delivery aligns with contract scope, schedule, quality, staffing, and cost expectations.
• Serve as the primary program-level interface with TSA stakeholders, including the Contracting Officer, Contracting Officer's Representative (COR), and Technical Monitors (TM), while maintaining disciplined scope control and contract compliance.
• Direct and manage cross-functional matrixed teams supporting testing and evaluation activities across multiple tasks orders on a nationwide basis.
• Develop and maintain program management processes covering task order transition, performance monitoring, schedule management, staffing, risk management, and subcontractor coordination.
• Build and sustain a strong workforce by overseeing staffing plans, recruitment, and retention. Oversee the development and effectiveness of training to ensure work force readiness.
• Oversee safety and quality performance and ensure implementation of robust safety and quality management approaches across a diverse set of environments and workflows.
• Ensure full compliance with applicable TSA, DHS, FAR, HSAR, security, privacy, and information-handling requirements.
• Manage performance in airport, laboratory, or field environments as required, including coordination of logistics, site access, equipment movement, reporting, and deliverables.
• Support program financial and contractual discipline, including invoice support, labor category alignment, and documentation readiness, as well as internal financial forecasting and reporting.
• Coordinate closely with subcontracting partners to ensure alignment of scope, cost, schedule, and quality to ensure effective execution of program requirements.

Key Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in engineering, physical sciences, systems engineering, operations, program management, or a related field with a minimum of seven (7) years of Program Management experience with at least 10 years specializing in managing similar Federal programs of similar size and complexity.
• Active Project Management Professional (PMP) certification
• Strong understanding of program controls, risk management, performance management, and contract compliance for large Federal programs.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including experience engaging with federal clients and senior stakeholders.
• Ability to travel as required to support program needs, up to 25%.
• Sole US Citizenship with eligibility and willingness to obtain and maintain a DoD Secret Security Clearance and to obtain TSA Suitability.

Preferred Qualifications

• Advanced degree in a relevant technical or management discipline with a minimum of twelve (12) years of Program Management experience with at least 10 years specializing in managing similar Federal programs of similar size and complexity.
• Experience supporting TSA, DHS, transportation security, or federal testing and evaluation programs.
• Experience in acceptance testing, operational testing, field testing, systems evaluation, or deployment support.
• Experience working with airports and managing airport-based logistics.

Benefits: Live an Extraordinary Life

We care about your well-being, not just on the job. Battelle offers comprehensive and competitive benefits to help you live your best life.

• Balance life through a compressed work schedule: Most of our team follows a flexible, compressed work schedule that allows for every other Friday off-giving you a dedicated day to accomplish things in your personal life without using vacation time.
• Enjoy enhanced work flexibility, including a hybrid arrangement: You have options for where and when you work. Our Together with Flexibility model allows you to work 60% in-office and 40% remote, with Monday and Tuesday as common in-office days, dependent on team and position needs.
• Take time to recharge: You get paid time off to support work-life balance and keep motivated.
• Prioritize wellness: Stay healthy with medical, dental, and vision coverage with wellness incentives and benefits plus a variety of optional supplemental benefits.
• Better together: Coverage for partners, gender-affirming care and health support, and family formation support.
• Build your financial future: Build financial stability with an industry-leading 401(k) retirement savings plan. For most employees, we put in 5 percent whether you contribute or not, and match your contributions on top of that.
• Advance your education: Tuition assistance is available to pursue higher education.

A Work Environment Where You Succeed

For brilliant minds in science, technology, engineering and business operations, Battelle is the place to do the greatest good by solving humanity's most pressing challenges and creating a safer, healthier and more secure world.

You will have the opportunity to thrive in a culture that inspires you to:

• Apply your talent to challenging and meaningful projects
• Receive select funding to pursue ideas in scientific and technological discovery
• Partner with world-class experts in a collaborative environment
• Nurture and develop the next generation of scientific leaders
• Give back to and improve our communities

Vaccinations & Safety Protocols

Battelle may require employees, based on job duties, work location, and/or its clients' requirements to follow certain safety protocols and to be vaccinated against a variety of viruses, bacteria, and diseases as a condition of employment and continued employment and to provide documentation that they are fully vaccinated. If applicable, Battelle will provide reasonable accommodations based on a qualified disability or medical condition through the Americans with Disabilities Act or the Rehabilitation Act or for a sincerely held religious belief under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (and related state laws).

Battelle is an equal opportunity employer. We provide employment and opportunities for advancement, compensation, training, and growth according to individual merit, without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy), national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, age, genetic information, disability, veteran-status veteran or military status, or any other characteristic protected under applicable Federal, state, or local law. Our goal is for each staff member to have the opportunity to grow to the limits of their abilities and to achieve personal and organizational objectives. We will support positive programs for equal treatment of all staff and full utilization of all qualified employees at all levels within Battelle.

The above statements are intended to describe the nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this job. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, activities and skills required of staff members. No statement herein is intended to imply any authorities to commit Battelle unless special written permission is granted by Battelle's Legal Department.

For more information about our other openings, please visit www.battelle.org/careers