Senior Project Manager

Applied-Research-Associates,-Inc; McAlester (OK); On-site; USD 135,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Applied Research Associates, Inc. seeks a Senior Project Manager to lead programs involving modernization of explosives and energetic materials production facilities.

You will collaborate with project managers, SMEs, and federal stakeholders to support R&D and operations on site in McAlester, OK. Candidates must be a US citizen residing in the US, able to obtain Interim Secret clearance, and thrive in a high-activity onsite environment with strict safety and quality standards; remote work is not

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in engineering or related field; 8–10 years experience (or Master's with 6–8 years).
• Familiarity with Primavera project scheduling software.
• PMP certification or equivalent project management training.
• Strong communication skills and ability to manage complex, multi-stakeholder projects.
• Expertise in resource and risk management to maximize ROI.

Responsibilities

• Oversee project execution with detailed planning, scheduling, and procurement per customer specs.
• Develop strategies to meet objectives while controlling scope, schedule, and budget.
• Monitor performance and address scope, risks, and resources with Change Management.
• Prepare detailed reports for senior leadership on progress and issues.
• Engage with federal agencies, partners, and officials to drive project success.
• Provide leadership for safe and cost-effective manufacturing capabilities with DoD clients.
• Lead client meetings and ensure timely, quality deliverables aligned with client goals.
• Implement safety and quality programs; ensure staff meet contractual/regulatory standards.

Skills

Project management

Communication

Resource management

Risk management

Leadership

Education

Bachelor's degree in engineering or related field

Tools

Primavera

MS Office

PMP certification

Job description

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Senior Project Manager

• Posted on September 3, 2026

Locations

Showing 1 location

McAlester, OK 74501, USA

• On-site
• Programs & Operations
• Full-Time
• Requisition #: SENIO010071

Description

Applied Research Associates, Inc. is looking for a Senior Project Manager to join our team! This is an exciting opportunity to help support a growing list of programs involving modernization of explosives and energetic materials production facilities, munitions production, and novel production system design. In this role you will collaborate with project/program managers, explosives and munitions subject matter experts, and federal stakeholders to support research and development capabilities and ongoing production operations. Candidates must be eager to learn, embrace a safety-first mindset, and work effectively with diverse teams, including peers, clients, and stakeholders. Candidates for this position must be a US citizen residing within the US.

Work Environment Details: This position operates entirely onsite in a high-activity environment that features an open-plan layout collaborative workspace where visual line-of-sight monitoring and immediate verbal team communication are required at all times. The workspace features active operational equipment, standard facility fluorescent light and ambient machinery noise. Regular, in-person interaction with on-site team members in this workspace are essential functions of this role.

Employment is contingent upon the successful attainment of at least an Interim Secret clearance, granted by the sponsoring agency, as well as approval by the customer. Due to the nature of this work, candidates for this position must be US citizens residing within the US. This position is located at the McAlester Army Ammunition Plant and will require you to be onsite. This position does not allow for a remote or hybrid work schedule.

Applied Research Associates, Inc. is looking for a Senior Project Manager to join our team! This is an exciting opportunity to help support a growing list of programs involving modernization of explosives and energetic materials production facilities, munitions production, and novel production system design. In this role you will collaborate with project/program managers, explosives and munitions subject matter experts, and federal stakeholders to support research and development capabilities and ongoing production operations. Candidates must be eager to learn, embrace a safety-first mindset, and work effectively with diverse teams, including peers, clients, and stakeholders. Candidates for this position must be a US citizen residing within the US.

Work Environment Details: This position operates entirely onsite in a high-activity environment that features an open-plan layout collaborative workspace where visual line-of-sight monitoring and immediate verbal team communication are required at all times. The workspace features active operational equipment, standard facility fluorescent light and ambient machinery noise. Regular, in-person interaction with on-site team members in this workspace are essential functions of this role.

Employment is contingent upon the successful attainment of at least an Interim Secret clearance, granted by the sponsoring agency, as well as approval by the customer

Due to the nature of this work, candidates for this position must be US citizens residing within the US. This position is located at the McAlester Army Ammunition Plant and will require you to be onsite. This position does not allow for a remote or hybrid work schedule.

Responsibilities Include:

• Oversee the proper execution of projects, including detailed planning, scheduling, and procurement aligned with customer specifications. Collaborate closely with cross-functional teams and program management counterparts to develop comprehensive plans for technical deliverables and schedules.
• Develop and implement strategies to meet project objectives while managing scope, schedule, and budget.
• Monitor project performance and apply change management principles to address scope issues, risks, and resource constraints in collaboration with Project Controls Analysts.
• Prepare detailed reports for senior leadership on project progress, challenges, and solutions.
• Engage with federal agencies, corporate partners, and local officials to drive project success.
• Provide leadership for the safe and cost-effective execution of manufacturing capabilities in complex production environments, in collaboration with federal defense clients.
• Develop, plan, and execute goals that align with client objectives and ensure timely, quality deliverables. Lead regular client facing meetings to update progress and facilitate technical discussion.
• Implement and monitor safety and quality programs, ensuring all project staff adhere to contractual terms, scope of work, regulatory requirement, and client specific quality and safety standards.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree engineering or other related discipline with 8 - 10 years of experience, or a Master's degree with 6 - 8 years of experience.
• Familiarity with Primavera
• PMP certification or equivalent project management training.
• Expertise in resource and risk management, with the ability to maximize ROI for large-scale projects.
• Demonstrated experience managing complex projects, including the integration and coordination of diverse stakeholders such as government agencies, contractors, and vendors.
• Ability to work effectively in high-pressure, dynamic environments, managing rapid changes in project scope, funding, and priorities.
• Strong written and oral communication skills, with the ability to tailor presentations and reports to diverse technical and non-technical audiences.
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office suite.
• US Citizenship and the ability to obtain or maintain security clearance.

Preferred Qualifications

• Degree in engineering or related technical field.
• Experience working with federal agencies.
• Experience in managing production modernization projects/programs, particularly in the design and implementation of new manufacturing capabilities.
• Active Department of Defense (DoD) security clearance.
• PMP certification.

• Compensation & Benefits: Pay Ranges: From $135,000 - $150,000 per year based on years of experience, degree and any special skills and knowledge that you may bring to the position.

COMPANY INFORMATION:

Applied Research Associates, Inc. is an employee-owned international research and engineering company recognized for providing technically superior solutions to complex and challenging problems in the physical sciences. The company, founded in Albuquerque, NM, in 1979, currently employs over 2000 professionals. ARA offices throughout the United States and Canada provide a broad range of technical expertise in defense technologies, civil technologies, computer software and simulation, systems analysis, environmental technologies, and testing and measurement. The corporation also provides sophisticated technical products for environmental site characterization, pavement analysis, and robotics.

At ARA, employees are our greatest assets. The corporation realizes that employee ownership generates greater creativity and initiative along with higher performance and customer satisfaction levels. ARA gives its employees the tools, training, and opportunities to take more active roles as owners. The culture is challenging; innovation and experimentation are the norm. Employees are eligible for contributions which not only add to the company’s success, but also their own through the Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP). The motto, “Engineering and Science for Fun and Profit” sums up the ARA experience. For additional information and an opportunity to join this unique workplace, please visit our website at www.ara.com

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws.For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.