Senior Program Controls Lead – Defense PMO

Leonardo DRS; United States; Remote; USD 107,000 - 166,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

401(k) retirement plan

Paid time off

Parental leave

Tuition reimbursement

Life and disability insurance

Job summary

Leonardo DRS is seeking a Sr. Program Controls Specialist to join the Program Management Office (PMO) in Danbury, CT. You will partner with leadership, engineering, finance, and customers to develop and maintain integrated program plans driving execution from proposal to delivery.

You will lead schedules, budgets, and critical path analyses for large defense programs, mentor junior staff, and support capture efforts with risk-aware strategies. A security clearance is required or obtainable.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree with 5+ years of directly related experience.
• Experience developing and managing schedules for large, complex defense programs.
• Advanced proficiency with Microsoft Project or similar project planning and scheduling tools.
• Working knowledge of Earned Value Management (EVM) principles.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to manage competing priorities and complex program requirements.
• Exceptional communication and collaboration skills, with the ability to influence stakeholders at all levels of the organization.
• Experience working in cross-functional environments involving engineering, finance, operations, and customer teams.

Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain integrated program plans, schedules, and budgets to support contractual requirements across multiple programs and large, complex initiatives.
• Collaborate with program leadership to establish executable plans that align technical, financial, and operational objectives.
• Conduct detailed analysis and research to define program requirements, milestones, resource needs, and critical paths.
• Lead coordination efforts across cross-functional teams to ensure successful execution of complex delivery schedules.
• Provide schedule and planning expertise to management and customers, recommending modifications and solutions that optimize program performance.
• Maintaining schedule status and health in Microsoft Project; adhere to business rhythms for Estimate at Complete process; interacting with control account managers and supporting program manager.
• Coordinate budget planning and tracking activities across program teams.
• Support proposal and capture efforts by developing schedules, identifying risks, and recommending effective execution strategies.
• Mentor and provide guidance to junior scheduling and project planning professionals.
• Champion organizational values while fostering collaboration, accountability, and continuous improvement.

Skills

Analytical skills

Communication skills

Cross-functional teamwork

Stakeholder influence

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

Microsoft Project

Job description

Leonardo DRS is seeking a Sr. Program Controls Specialist to join the Program Management Office (PMO) in Danbury, CT. You will partner with leadership, engineering, finance, and customers to develop and maintain integrated program plans driving execution from proposal to delivery.

You will lead schedules, budgets, and critical path analyses for large defense programs, mentor junior staff, and support capture efforts with risk-aware strategies. A security clearance is required or obtainable.