Project Manager 2 (IT)

Spectra Tech, Inc.; Los Alamos (NM); On-site; USD 80,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Spectra Tech, Inc. is seeking an experienced Project Manager II to manage technology projects in Los Alamos, NM. The role involves leading cross-functional teams, ensuring projects meet scope, schedule, and budget requirements.

The ideal candidate will have a Bachelor's degree in a related field, at least 10 years of project management experience, and familiarity with Agile methodologies. This role offers a hybrid work environment with flexible location options.

Qualifications

• Excellent communication and leadership skills are essential.
• Working knowledge of IT environments and software development methodologies is required.
• Proficiency in creating professional project documents is a must.

Responsibilities

• Manage IT projects ensuring timely completion and quality.
• Develop project charters and management plans.
• Coordinate technical personnel activities across teams.

Skills

Excellent communication

Leadership

Problem-solving

Conflict-resolution

Organizational skills

Project management tools proficiency

Ability to manage competing priorities

Education

Bachelor's degree in Computer Science

10+ years of project management experience

PMP Certification

Scrum Master Certification (CSM)

Tools

MS Project

Jira

Job description

Project Manager II (IT) – Los Alamos, NM

Spectra Tech is seeking a Project Manager II to support the delivery of technology projects within a complex, matrixed program environment. The role operates under the guidance of the Program Manager and serves as the primary coordination point between functional teams, program leadership, and vendors to ensure project outcomes are achieved within scope, schedule, and budget.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage and ensure the timely completion of multi-discipline IT projects of low to moderate complexity and scope.
• Provide leadership throughout the full project lifecycle using appropriate project management methodologies and tools.
• Oversee project teams in planning, tracking, and execution; facilitate transfer of operations and maintenance activities at project completion.
• Develop and maintain project charters, project management plans (PMPs), schedules, and other technical documentation to a professional standard.
• Coordinate activities of technical personnel and collaborate with IT staff on delivery of specific products and projects.
• Identify, document, and manage project‑level risks, issues, and dependencies; escape cross‑workstream or program‑level impacts as needed.
• Partner with customers to define expectations, solve problems, and establish mutual responsibilities.
• Coordinate with business owners, functional SMEs, and technical teams to support readiness and adoption.
• Translate project management concepts into accessible language for diverse audiences within and outside of IT.

Minimum Requirements

• Excellent communication, leadership, problem‑solving, and conflict‑resolution skills.
• Working knowledge of IT environments and software development methodologies, tools, and processes.
• Ability to produce professional project charters, project plans, and other technical and project documents.
• Must partner with customers to solve problems while defining expectations and mutual responsibilities.
• Must translate project management terminology for both technical and non‑technical audiences.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail with the ability to manage competing priorities.
• Proficiency with standard project management tools (e.g., MS Project, Jira, or equivalent).

Education & Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, or a related field preferred.
• 10+ years of project management experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience directly related to IT project delivery.
• Certification – PMP, Scrum Master Certification (CSM), SAFe, or equivalent Agile credential.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience leading diverse development teams across different organizational contexts (varying team sizes, co‑located vs. distributed, Agile vs. Waterfall).
• Experience working in a hybrid methodology environment (Agile and Waterfall combined).
• Experience in technical writing, editing, and preparing and delivering formal and informal presentations.
• Familiarity with project management in government, federal agency, or regulated industry environments.
• DOE "Q" security clearance or eligibility to obtain one is a plus but not required.

Ideal Candidate Profile

• Highly organized and balanced between detailed task execution and broader program alignment.
• Strong sense of ownership and accountability for delivery outcomes.
• Comfortable navigating ambiguity and driving clarity across teams.
• Proactive, collaborative, and effective at building strong partnerships across business, IT, and vendors.
• Able to onboard quickly and operate with limited direction in a fast‑moving program environment.

Work Location & Engagement Details

Duration: 6‑month initial contract with extension potential.
Location: Hybrid flexible location; candidates should be able to work within a reasonable commute or travel cadence as required by program needs. Some onsite presence may be required periodically based on program milestones and team activities.

Additional Responsibilities & Knowledge (General Project Management)

• Responsible for planning, organizing, coordinating and managing the project activities of assigned projects.
• Provides direction to project teams and/or group leaders to achieve project related activities.
• Monitors project performance against budget, overall progress against schedule, identifies deviations from project plan and implements corrective actions.
• Provides input to, and approval of project budgets and schedules.
• Participates in division policy planning and development.
• Resolves a wide range of issues in creative ways, providing solutions to complex problems where analysis of data requires evaluation of identifiable factors.
• Demonstrates good judgment in selecting methods and techniques for obtaining solutions, planning schedules, and arranging own activities to accomplish objectives.
• Requires thorough knowledge of all aspects of project management tools and techniques related to all project activities.
• Requires knowledge of project processes and a general understanding of project management activities such as planning, budgeting, and performance measurement.
• For positions also serving as a Control Account Manager (CAM), knowledge of project controls, project budgets, cost estimating, cost control, cost analysis, project scheduling, implementation of corrective actions, delivering detailed status reports, and engineering principles.
• Knowledge of Earned Value Management System (EVMS) tools and processes.
• Position typically requires a recognized degree in an engineering or scientific discipline, or specialized courses in project management, and ten (10) years work experience (5+ years experience in at least one of the following functions: engineering, procurement, and construction) leading to a thorough understanding of the knowledge described above, or any combination of education and experience.