Senior Program Manager

Adecco Portugal; McLean (VA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Unknown in McLean, VA seeks a Senior Program Manager to lead defense and aerospace programs from requirements to delivery. This on-site role oversees schedules, budgets, risks, and customer requirements across engineering, manufacturing, supply chain, and operations teams.

The ideal candidate has 3–10 years of program management experience in defense or government contracting, with strong DoD contract management and leadership skills.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Operations Management, or a related technical discipline.
• 3-10 years of program management experience within defense, aerospace, government contracting, or advanced manufacturing environments.
• Strong experience managing DoD contracts and customer-facing government programs.
• Proven success managing budgets, schedules, subcontractors, and multi-disciplinary technical teams.
• Experience with risk management, earned value concepts, and critical path scheduling.
• Strong communication and leadership skills with the ability to influence stakeholders at all levels.

Responsibilities

• Lead complex defense and aerospace programs from project kickoff through customer acceptance and delivery.
• Manage program schedules, budgets, risks, milestones, and deliverables while ensuring customer expectations are met.
• Collaborate closely with engineering teams to ensure technical requirements are fully captured and executed.
• Drive procurement activities, supplier management, and long-lead material planning.
• Develop and maintain detailed project schedules using Microsoft Project, Smartsheet, or similar tools.
• Lead customer program reviews, status meetings, and executive-level reporting.
• Manage contract requirements, Statements of Work (SOW), scope changes, and program compliance.
• Coordinate cross-functional teams including engineering, manufacturing, quality, supply chain, and operations.
• Proactively identify and mitigate program risks before they impact schedule, cost, or delivery.

Skills

Program management

Budget management

Risk management

Cross-functional leadership

Stakeholder communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering

Tools

Microsoft Project

Smartsheet

Job description

A growing defense and aerospace technology company is seeking a Senior Program Manager to lead complex, customer-driven programs from requirements definition through production and final delivery.

This is a highly visible leadership role responsible for managing program schedules, budgets, risks, customer requirements, and cross-functional execution across engineering, manufacturing, supply chain, and operations teams. The successful candidate will thrive in a fast-paced environment where accountability, ownership, and execution are critical.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead complex defense and aerospace programs from project kickoff through customer acceptance and delivery
• Manage program schedules, budgets, risks, milestones, and deliverables while ensuring customer expectations are met
• Collaborate closely with engineering teams to ensure technical requirements are fully captured and executed
• Drive procurement activities, supplier management, and long-lead material planning
• Develop and maintain detailed project schedules using Microsoft Project, Smartsheet, or similar tools
• Lead customer program reviews, status meetings, and executive-level reporting
• Manage contract requirements, Statements of Work (SOW), scope changes, and program compliance
• Coordinate cross-functional teams including engineering, manufacturing, quality, supply chain, and operations
• Proactively identify and mitigate program risks before they impact schedule, cost, or delivery

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Operations Management, or a related technical discipline
• 3-10 years of program management experience within defense, aerospace, government contracting, or advanced manufacturing environments
• Strong experience managing DoD contracts and customer-facing government programs
• Proven success managing budgets, schedules, subcontractors, and multi-disciplinary technical teams
• Experience with risk management, earned value concepts, and critical path scheduling
• Strong communication and leadership skills with the ability to influence stakeholders at all levels

Preferred Experience

• Military background or experience supporting military customers
• Experience with FAR/DFARS requirements
• Manufacturing, production, fabrication, or systems integration program experience
• Familiarity with AS9100, ISO 9001, ITAR, and related compliance standards

Why Consider This Opportunity?

• High-impact leadership role with direct visibility to executive management
• Opportunity to lead mission-critical defense and aerospace programs
• Fast-moving environment with significant ownership and decision-making authority
• Competitive compensation and benefits package

Location: McLean, VA (On-Site)

All inquiries will be handled with strict confidentiality.