Senior Technical Project Manager

ARA; Indian Head (MD); On-site; USD 135,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Applied Research Associates, Inc. seeks a Senior Technical Project Manager to lead programs focused on modernization of explosives and energetic materials facilities, with collaboration across federal stakeholders and SMEs.

This on-site role requires US citizenship and a willingness to obtain interim secret clearance. The position involves coordinating with program managers, engineers, and clients, overseeing schedules, budgets, and risk, and ensuring safety and quality in production

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in engineering or related discipline with 8–10 years of experience.
• At least 2 years in a supervisory capacity.
• Proven experience managing projects involving facilities improvements with capital expenditure and manufacturing process implementation.
• Expertise in resource and risk management to maximize ROI for large-scale projects.
• Experience coordinating with government agencies, contractors, and vendors on complex projects.

Responsibilities

• Oversee project execution with detailed planning, scheduling, and procurement per customer specifications.
• Develop and implement strategies to meet objectives while managing scope, schedule, and budget.
• Monitor performance and apply change management for scope, risks, and resources.
• Prepare detailed reports for senior leadership on progress and challenges.
• Engage with subcontractors, federal agencies, and partners to drive success.
• Provide leadership for safe and cost-effective manufacturing capabilities in complex production environments.
• Lead client meetings to review progress and discuss technical details.
• Implement safety and quality programs ensuring compliance with terms and standards.

Skills

Project management

Leadership

Communication

Risk management

Budget management

Planning

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering

Master's degree in Engineering

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Applied Research Associates, Inc. is looking for a Senior Technical 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.

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. 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 Naval Surface Warfare Center Indian Head 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 subcontractors, 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.
• At least 2 years in a supervisory capacity.
• Proven experience managing DoW or DoE projects involving facilities improvements which include capital expenditure and manufacturing process implementation.
• 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 a security clearance.

Preferred Qualifications

• Degree in engineering or related technical field.
• Experience working with federal agencies, including DoW and DOE.
• Experience in managing production modernization projects/programs, particularly in the design and implementation of new manufacturing capabilities.
• Active Department of War (DoW) security clearance.
• PMP certification or equivalent project management training.

Applied Research Associates, Inc. is a 100% employee-owned international research and engineering company recognized for providing technically superior solutions to complex and challenging problems in the physical sciences. We invite you to visit our website to learn more about who we are, what we do, the excellent careers and each of the competitive benefits we offer and explore some of our featured offices. Anticipated Salary Range: $135,000 - $150,000