Project Manager II - Sustainment and Support
Vigor, LLC
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Benefits offered by this job
Job summary
Vigor Marine Group is seeking a Project Manager II to lead sustainment programs for naval shipbuilding and lifecycle support. You will own cost, schedule, performance and customer satisfaction, interfacing with Navy program offices and shipyards.
Ideal candidates have 8+ years in program management within defense or shipbuilding, and a solid background in EVM, IMS, and DoD contracting. This role requires US citizenship and on-site work at our Vancouver, WA facilities.
Qualifications
- 8+ years of program management experience in shipbuilding, defense or sustainment environments.
- Bachelor’s degree in a related field is required.
Responsibilities
- Lead sustainment program planning, execution, and growth across naval shipbuilding and lifecycle support programs.
- Develop and manage IMS for sustainment efforts and coordinate cross-functional teams.
Skills
Education
Tools
Job description
Founded in 1995, Vigor Marine Group is an established, innovative and integrated partner with a national footprint in the marine maintenance and modernization, marine fabrication and marine services. Evolving over decades from a collection of the best-in-class companies with unique and complementary capabilities on the East and West coasts, our spirit of innovation and legacy of performance make Vigor Marine Group a preferred, full-service prime contractor in the defense and maritime sectors. Today we offer advanced services and complete solutions for the U.S. Navy, U.S. Army, Military Sealift Command, state ferry systems, the cruise industry, the commercial fishing industry and more.
With four shipyards for maintenance and modernization and one for fabrication, including the largest floating dry dock in the western hemisphere, our more than 2,500 dedicated employees across four states – from the Pacific Northwest to San Diego to Norfolk – personify the values of our company. Vigor Marine Group takes pride in being the employer of choice for our employees, who in turn take great pride in their contributions to the communities where they live and work, and to their nation – through their living wage jobs supporting their local economies, and through the word-class maritime and industrial services they provide to further our defense readiness and national security.
Where we are – Marine Fabrication
Vancouver, Washington is surrounded by forests, rivers, and mountains and is a top destination for outdoor lovers. It has a mild climate with four seasons. Its mild winters and warm summers make it an attractive city in the Pacific Northwest. Vancouver is more affordable city than its neighbors, Portland and Seattle and has no state income tax. It is a vibrant city full of restaurants, shops and parks, and is known for its walkability, historic charm and family friendly neighborhoods. Vancouver has garnered many awards including Livability’s “Top 100 Best Places to Live in the US in 2025 and 2023” and Niche’s 2025 rankings include Vancouver on several lists including Best City for Outdoor Activities, a Healthiest Place to Live in America and several others. Healthcare is the city’s largest employer, followed by manufacturing and technology.
PAY RANGE: $116,000 – 129,000
POSITION SUMMARY:
The Sustainment & Support Project Manager is responsible for leading the planning, execution, and growth of sustainment-related efforts across naval shipbuilding and lifecycle support programs. This role operates as a project manager for sustainment and support scope, with primary accountability for cost, schedule, performance, and customer satisfaction. The Sustainment Manager serves as the primary interface between the shipbuilder and the customer for all sustainment activities, ensuring alignment with contractual requirements and long-term fleet readiness objectives. The Sustainment * Support Project Manager reports directly to the Sustainment & Support Lead, who in turn reports directly to the Vigor Marine Fabrication Vice President & General Manager.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES:
(This list is not intended to detail all aspects of the assigned work but is representative of the job’s overall responsibilities.)
Program & Schedule Management
- Develop, maintain, and execute integrated sustainment program plans aligned with ship construction, delivery, and post-delivery support milestones
- Build and manage Integrated Master Schedules (IMS) for sustainment efforts, including provisioning, technical data delivery, training and field support
- Identify schedule risks and opportunities; implement mitigation and recovery plans to maintain on-time delivery
- Coordinate cross-functional teams to ensure sustainment deliverables are synchronized with shipyard production and test events
- Establish and manage sustainment program budgets, including labor, material, and subcontractor costs
- Monitor program financial performance using Earned Value Management (EVM) or equivalent methods
- Develop Estimates at Completion (EACs), variance analyses, and corrective action plans
- Provide regular financial and performance reporting to internal leadership and external customer
- Serve as the primary point of contact for the customer on all sustainment program matters
- Lead program reviews, technical interchange meetings, and status briefings with customer representatives (e.g., Navy program offices, SUPSHIP, or fleet representatives)
- Ensure clear, consistent, and proactive communication of program status, risks, and issues
- Build strong customer relationships and maintain high levels of customer satisfaction
- Lead or support capture efforts for sustainment-related new business opportunities, including proposals for follow-on support, modernization, and lifecycle services
- Develop Basis of Estimates (BOEs), staffing plans, and execution strategies for proposals
- Identify opportunities to expand sustainment scope, improve affordability, and enhance long-term customer value
- Collaborate with business development and contracts teams to shape and win new work
- Ensure sustainment activities are fully integrated with ship construction, test, and delivery organizations
- Support internal governance reviews, gate reviews, and program audits
- Ensure compliance with contractual requirements, company policies, and applicable naval standards
- Identify, assess, and manage program risks and issues related to sustainment scope
- Maintain risk registers and lead mitigation planning and execution
- Escalate critical issues as needed and drive timely resolution across functional organizations
- Coordinate recurring project meetings, including cost reviews, schedule reviews, and project status meetings.
- Track action items and distribute meeting minutes to ensure timely follow-up.
- Assist in preparing project performance briefings and management reporting.
- Support the documentation of project lessons learned and improvement opportunities.
- Assist in capturing and sharing best practices across projects to improve project execution and performance management.
The Sustainment & Support Project Manager is a key member of the Vigor Marine Fabrication Sustainment and Support Group. The Sustainment and Support Group also includes ILSM, Sea Trials & Test, and Field Service.
KNOWLEDGE SKILLS AND ABILITIES:
- Advanced knowledge of program management principles including scope, schedule, cost, risk, and performance management
- Deep understanding of Integrated Master Schedule (IMS) development, critical path analysis, and schedule risk assessment
- Working knowledge of Earned Value Management (EVM) in accordance with MIL-STD-881 and EIA-748
- Familiarity with Work Breakdown Structures (WBS), Control Accounts, and performance measurement baselines.
- Familiarity with watercraft systems (mechanical, electrical, combat systems)
- Understanding of DoD acquisition lifecycle phases and sustainment planning integration
- Knowledge of contract types (e.g., CPFF, FFP, incentive-based contracts) and their impact on cost management
- Understanding of budgeting, forecasting, Estimate at Completion (EAC), and variance analysis
- Familiarity with government reporting requirements and program reviews
- Knowledge of shipyard production environments and how sustainment activities integrate with construction, test, and delivery is preferred
- Awareness of configuration management, change control processes, and engineering change impacts to sustainment scope
- Understanding of supply chain, provisioning, and material planning in a defense environment
- Customer focus and communication
- Attention to detail and compliance
- Strong communication and stakeholder management skills
- U.S. Citizenship and ability to obtain/maintain a security clearance
- Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Business, Program Management, or related field required.
- 8+ years of experience in program management, shipbuilding, defense, or sustainment-related environment Professional certifications related to project or program management (such as PMP or equivalent) are preferred.
- Experience with project controls, cost management, earned value management, or program performance reporting in a complex project environment is preferred.
- Experience in ship repair, shipbuilding, heavy industrial manufacturing, defense programs, or other technically complex production environments is preferred.
- Familiarity with lifecycle support concepts, maintenance planning, or fleet operations.
WORK ENVIRONMENT:
- Combination of office, shipyard, and onboard vessel environments
- May require travel to vendor sites, test events, and customer locations (travel up to 10% of work calendar)
- Ability to work in industrial settings including climbing, confined spaces, and shipboard condition
Vigor Industrial LLC and its wholly owned subsidiaries are drug, smoke and vape-free workplaces. Prospective employees must pass a drug and alcohol test and background check as pre-employment screening .
Vigor Values
Vigor expects all employees to enhance the atmosphere in which they work by living the Vigor Values every day.
Truth: We seek the truth, and we speak the truth
Responsibility:We act on what we know is right
Evolution: We seek mastery, and adapt to a changing world
Love:We care about the people we work with, and the world we live in
At Vigor we offer a generous benefits package that includes:
Medical
RX
Vision
Life
AD&D
LTD
STD
EAP
Discretionary bonus
Tuition Reimbursement
10 paid holidays
PTO
401(k)
Vigor and its wholly owned subsidiaries are committed to inclusion and diversity by providing equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, protected veterans, age, genetics, the presence of a physical or mental condition or disability that can be reasonably accommodated, or any other protected class under relevant laws in the locations we operate. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions and can be requested with Vigor’s Human Resources Department.
In addition to federal law requirements, Vigor complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination and non-retaliation in employment in every location in which the company has facilities. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, benefits, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.
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