Senior Project Manager

Waterstone Human Capital; Sandy (UT); Hybrid; USD 140,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Waterstone Human Capital is assisting a client in Sandy, Utah, to hire a Senior Project Manager – Defense Programs to lead U.S. defense and government project execution. You will translate contracts and SOWs into executable plans and ensure compliance with FAR/DFARS, CMMC, and export controls.

You will coordinate with Engineering, Product, Operations, and IT/Security teams and maintain risk registers, driving on-time milestones from award through acceptance in a hybrid work setting.

Qualifications

• 8+ years of PM/Program management on complex technical programs.
• Experience delivering programs for U.S. DoD or federal clients.
• Knowledge of FAR/DFARS, NIST 800-171/CMMC, ITAR/EAR regulations.

Responsibilities

• Lead defense program execution from award through final acceptance.
• Translate contracts, SOWs, and CDRLs into executable program plans.
• Coordinate cross-functional teams across Engineering, Product, Operations, and IT/Security.
• Maintain risk/issue/decision registers and manage change control to protect margins.
• Prepare execution data, dashboards, and risk visibility for portfolio reviews.
• Ensure compliance with FAR/DFARS, CMMC, CUI handling, and export controls.

Skills

8+ years project/program management

Defense program delivery (DoD/federal)

FAR/DFARS/NIST/CMMC/ITAR-EAR knowledge

PMP or PgMP certification

Job description

SENIOR PROJECT MANAGER – DEFENSE PROGRAMS

Location: Sandy, Utah/Hybrid

Reports to: Chief Product Officer

Compensation: $140k-$150k

Company Overview

Our client is a global technology company developing high-fidelity simulation and workforce training systems for heavy equipment operators. Trusted by organizations in 50+ countries with 2,000+ implementations worldwide, they serve construction, utilities, ports, defense, and industrial sectors — and are now actively expanding into the U.S. defense and government training market.

Your Role:

The Senior Project Manager – Defense Programs leads execution and governance of U.S. defense and government programs — translating contracts, SOWs, and CDRLs into program plans, coordinating cross-functional teams, ensuring compliance with FAR/DFARS, CMMC, and export control obligations, and serving as the primary customer interface throughout the program lifecycle.

What You’ll Do:

• Lead U.S. defense program execution from contract award through final acceptance; translate SOWs, CDRLs, and specs into executable plans; manage scope, schedule, cost, deliverables, and milestones (PDR, CDR, FAT, SAT)
• Serve as primary customer interface for U.S. defense and government programs; lead program reviews, manage expectations, and maintain alignment with contractual commitments
• Coordinate execution across Engineering, Product, Operations, Supply Chain, and IT/Security teams; drive resolution of cross-functional dependencies and execution blockers
• Ensure compliance with FAR/DFARS, CUI handling, NIST 800-171/CMMC, ITAR/EAR, and TAA/sourcing requirements; coordinate with internal specialists and external advisors
• Establish and maintain risk, issue, and decision registers; proactively quantify impacts, drive mitigation, and protect margin through disciplined scope management and change control
• Support CPO with high-quality execution data, dashboards, risk visibility, and analytics for portfolio-level decisions

What You’ll Bring:

• 8+ years of project/program management experience with complex technical or engineering programs
• Demonstrated experience delivering programs for the U.S. DoD, federal government, or defense prime contractors
• Working knowledge of FAR/DFARS, CUI handling, NIST SP 800-171/CMMC, and ITAR/EAR export control requirements
• Experience managing formal customer reviews and acceptance milestones (PDR, CDR, FAT, SAT); strong scope, risk, cost, and forecasting skills
• Strong executive and customer communication skills; PMP or PgMP preferred; experience with military training systems, M&S, or CMMC/NIST 800-171 (a plus)

Why Join?

• This is a high-visibility, ground-floor opportunity to build and shape a defense program management function within a globally established technology company. You’ll work at the intersection of defense compliance, complex program delivery, and cutting-edge simulation technology — with direct impact on the company’s expansion into the U.S. defense market.