Senior / SME – Defense Acquisition Program Management (Rapid Acquisition)

KBR Careers; Eglin Air Force Base (FL); On-site; USD 100,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401K plan with company match

Medical

Dental

Vision

Life insurance

Flexible work schedule

Job summary

KBR is looking for a Senior Defense Acquisition Program Manager based at Eglin AFB, FL. In this role, you'll support rapid development and integration of advanced weapon capabilities, ensuring national security and programmatic success.

The ideal candidate will possess extensive experience in defense acquisition, with a strong understanding of the Adaptive Acquisition Framework. Join us and be part of innovating strategies to accelerate the delivery of critical capabilities to the warfighter.

Qualifications

• 12+ years of experience in defense acquisition or related activities.
• Demonstrated experience with rapid acquisition processes.
• Strong knowledge of the DoD Adaptive Acquisition Framework.

Responsibilities

• Support rapid development of advanced weapon capabilities.
• Develop tailored acquisition strategies for programs.
• Integrate technical and programmatic considerations into strategies.

Skills

DoD Security Clearance

Acquisition Strategy Development

Program Management

Rapid Capability Development

Strong Communication Skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in relevant field

Job description

Senior / SME – Defense Acquisition Program Management (Rapid Acquisition)

KBR’s National Security Solutions team provides high-end engineering and advanced technology solutions to our customers in the intelligence and national security communities. In this position, your work will have a profound impact on the country’s most critical role – protecting our national security.

Why Join Us?

• Innovative Projects: KBR’s work is at the forefront of engineering, logistics, operations, science, program management, mission IT and cybersecurity solutions.
• Collaborative Environment: Be part of a dynamic team that thrives on collaboration and innovation, fostering a supportive and intellectually stimulating workplace.
• Impactful Work: Your contributions will be pivotal in developing and fielding advanced long-range weapon capabilities that ensure national security and strengthen the future joint force.

KBR is seeking a highly experienced Defense Acquisition Program Management professional to support a U.S. Government program office executing rapid development, demonstration, and aircraft integration of advanced weapon capabilities. The selected candidate will work directly with Government program leadership to develop and execute innovative, tailored acquisition strategies that accelerate demonstrations and deliver capability to the warfighter.

The ideal candidate will have experience with rapid acquisition and/or Middle Tier of Acquisition (MTA), a strong understanding of the Adaptive Acquisition Framework (AAF), and the ability to integrate acquisition, requirements, contracting, test, technical, and programmatic considerations into executable strategies. This role requires an innovative and pragmatic thinker who can independently assess acquisition challenges, develop creative courses of action, and tailor traditional acquisition approaches to achieve program objectives at increased speed.

Key Responsibilities

• Serve as a key acquisition program management resource to Government leadership supporting rapid development, prototyping, demonstration, integration, and fielding of advanced weapon capabilities.
• Develop and execute tailored acquisition strategies that accelerate capability development and demonstration while appropriately managing technical, cost, schedule, and programmatic risk.
• Apply knowledge of the Adaptive Acquisition Framework and associated pathways to develop acquisition approaches based on program objectives, technical maturity, urgency, risk, and transition strategy.
• Provide expertise in rapid acquisition and Middle Tier of Acquisition approaches, including rapid prototyping and rapid fielding.
• Develop innovative acquisition courses of action that integrate requirements, contracting, systems engineering, test and evaluation, funding, production, sustainment, and other functional considerations into executable program strategies.
• Identify opportunities to tailor acquisition processes, documentation, reviews, and decision points to improve speed and efficiency while maintaining the rigor necessary for informed Government decision-making.
• Develop strategies for rapid demonstrations, experimentation, and flight testing that enable early learning, reduce technical and integration risk, and demonstrate operationally relevant capability.
• Support weapon system integration onto military aircraft, coordinating acquisition and programmatic activities associated with platform interfaces, airworthiness, stores integration, flight test, weapon certification, and other aircraft integration requirements.
• Work across engineering, contracting, test, financial management, logistics, requirements, operational, and platform organizations to resolve integration challenges and maintain alignment across program activities.
• Assess program maturity, dependencies, risks, and barriers to execution; develop actionable recommendations and alternative approaches to maintain program momentum and accelerate capability delivery.
• Develop strategies to transition successful prototypes and demonstrations into production, fielding, follow-on acquisition efforts, or other appropriate pathways.
• Research emerging DoD and Department of the Air Force acquisition policies, authorities, rapid acquisition initiatives, and comparable programs to identify innovative approaches and lessons learned applicable to program execution.

Work Environment

• Location: On-site, Eglin AFB, FL
• Travel Requirements: Periodic travel may be required to contractor facilities, supplier locations, or other Government organizations in support of program activities.
• Working Hours: Standard work schedule; core hours 0900–1500

Qualifications

Required

• Active DoD/DoW Secret security clearance
• Bachelor's degree in Business, Engineering, Program Management, Systems Engineering, Operations, or a related field.
• 12+ years of relevant experience in defense acquisition, weapon system program management, rapid capability development, or related acquisition activities.
• Demonstrated experience supporting DoD acquisition programs and developing or executing acquisition strategies.
• Experience with rapid acquisition, Middle Tier of Acquisition, prototyping, experimentation, rapid fielding, or other accelerated capability development efforts.
• Strong working knowledge of the DoD Adaptive Acquisition Framework and demonstrated ability to tailor acquisition approaches based on program objectives and circumstances.
• Demonstrated ability to independently evaluate complex acquisition challenges, integrate multiple functional perspectives, and develop executable strategies and recommendations for Government leadership.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills with demonstrated ability to develop acquisition strategies, decision products, and senior-level briefings; active

Desired

• Active Top Secret Clearance
• 18+ years of relevant experience in defense acquisition, weapon system program management, rapid capability development, or related acquisition activities.
• Direct experience executing a Middle Tier of Acquisition Rapid Prototyping or Rapid Fielding program or other accelerated acquisition effort.
• Experience integrating weapon systems or other capabilities onto military aircraft, with F-15 and/or F-16 integration experience highly desired.
• Familiarity with aircraft integration activities, including platform interfaces, airworthiness, stores integration, flight test, and weapon certification.
• Experience supporting accelerated weapon system demonstrations, experimentation, flight testing, or operational capability assessments.
• Experience transitioning prototype capabilities into production, fielding, or follow-on acquisition programs.
• Experience supporting missile, munitions, air defense, or other advanced weapon system acquisition programs within a System Program Office, Program Executive Office, or comparable DoD acquisition organization.
• Familiarity with Other Transaction Authority (OTA), competitive prototyping, modular/open-system approaches, or other acquisition mechanisms and strategies used to accelerate capability development.

KBR Benefits

• 401K plan with company match
• Medical
• Dental
• Vision
• Life insurance
• AD&D
• Flexible spending account
• Disability
• Paid time off
• Flexible work schedule
• We support career advancement through professional training and development.

Belong, Connect and Grow at KBR

At KBR, we are passionate about our people and our Zero Harm culture. These inform all that we do and are at the heart of our commitment to, and ongoing journey toward being a People First company. That commitment is central to our team’s philosophy and fosters an environment where everyone can Belong, Connect and Grow. We Deliver – Together.

KBR is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, national origin, veteran status, genetic information, union status and/or beliefs, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law.