Technical Project Manager - SME

Peraton; Herndon (VA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

Peraton in Herndon, VA is seeking an experienced Technical Project Manager - SME to lead high-visibility technology initiatives supporting the FAA's BNATCS modernization program across cybersecurity, network infrastructure, and systems integration.

In this role you will manage day-to-day coordination of the implementation teams, guide project delivery from concept to deployment, and ensure alignment with FAA requirements, security standards, and program milestones while coordinating with vendors

Qualifications

• U.S. Citizenship required.
• Ability to obtain/maintain Public Trust clearance.
• 12 years of direct people management experience leading technical implementation/engineering teams.
• Hands-on experience in systems implementation, infrastructure deployment, and technical operations.
• Experience leading geographically dispersed, cross-functional teams.
• Ability to identify and mitigate project risks and technical resolution.
• Experience with workforce planning, resource allocation, and workload management.
• Experience managing scope, schedules, and budgets using Agile, Waterfall, or hybrid methodologies.
• Ability to conduct technical reviews, validation activities, and post-implementation assessments.
• Experience setting employee performance goals and conducting evaluations.
• Knowledge of network infrastructure, systems engineering, integration, and deployment.
• Experience managing end-to-end implementations, from planning through operational transition.

Responsibilities

• Provide technical project leadership and direct people management overseeing implementation teams.
• Own the full lifecycle of sophisticated projects from concept through deployment.
• Provide workforce forecasting, employee retention, succession planning, and talent development.
• Translate requirements into executable plans, schedules, and budgets using Agile, Waterfall, or hybrid methods.
• Align technical delivery with FAA modernization goals and program priorities.
• Support requirements analysis, readiness reviews, and operational transitions.
• Drive projects to completion while meeting FAA standards, cost targets, and delivery commitments.
• Coordinate cross-functional teams and resolve implementation challenges.

Skills

People management

Agile/Waterfall methods

Technical leadership

Stakeholder management

Risk management

Team coordination

Resource forecasting

Education

Engineering Management degree

MBA

PMP/Agile/Scrum ITIL certifications

Tools

Microsoft Project

Jira

Confluence

Job description

Required Qualifications:

• U.S. Citizenship Required.
• Must have the ability to obtain / maintain a Public Trust clearance.
• 12 years of direct people management experience leading technical implementation, engineering, or integration teams.
• Hands-on experience in systems implementation, infrastructure deployment, and technical operations.
• Experience leading geographically dispersed, cross-functional teams.
• Ability to identify and mitigate project risks and technical resolution.
• Experience with workforce planning, resource allocation, and workload management.
• Experience managing scope, schedules, and budgets using Agile, Waterfall, or hybrid methodologies.
• Ability to conduct technical reviews, validation activities, and post-implementation assessments.
• Experience setting employee performance goals and conducting evaluations.
• Knowledge of network infrastructure, systems engineering, integration, and deployment.
• Experience managing end-to-end implementations, from planning through operational transition.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Previous experience supporting the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) or National Airspace System (NAS).
• Degree in Engineering Management, Business Administration (MBA), or Systems Engineering.
• PMP, Agile, Scrum, ITIL, or related certifications.
• Familiarity with FAA modernization initiatives, implementation standards, operational readiness requirements, and technical deployment processes.
• Strong stakeholder management and executive communication skills.
• Experience managing subcontractors, vendors, technical partners, and external implementation resources.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Project, Jira, Confluenceor similar tools.
• Knowledge of FAA deployment processes and operational readiness requirements.
• Strong analytical and decision-making skills with a track record of delivering complex projects on time and within budget.

#BNATCS

Join Peraton in advancing the safety, efficiency, and modernization of the National Airspace System (NAS) through the FAA's Brand New Air Traffic Control System (BNATCS) contract. As a trusted partner to the Federal Aviation Administration, Peraton helps deliver the systems and services that keep our nation’s skies safe and connected. We’re looking for innovative professionals who thrive in mission-critical environments and are passionate about shaping the future of air traffic management. This is your chance to make an impact on one of the world’s most vital transportation infrastructures, working alongside leaders in aviation, engineering, data science, and systems integration.

At Peraton, you won’t just support the mission you’ll define it.Lead the work that keeps America flying safely.

At Peraton, we don’t just manage projects we deliver the systems that protect and advance U.S. air travel. We are seeking an experienced Technical Project Manager - SME to lead complex, high-visibility technology initiatives supporting the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). This role sits at the heart of aviation modernization, where disciplined execution, technical excellence, and mission impact converge. If you thrive in environments where precision matters, collaboration is essential, and your work has national significance, this role offers both challenge and purpose.

Work Location:

• This position is required to be 100% on-site in Herndon, VA.

In this position, you will:

The Technical Project Manager will manage the day-to-day coordination between a team of technical implementation professionals supporting a large-scale, mission-critical federal government program. This role provides hands‑on leadership across the planning, coordination, execution, and deployment of technical solutions involving cybersecurity, network infrastructure, systems integration, and testing. The selected candidate will be responsible for implementation team performance, workforce planning, resource allocation, technical delivery, and operational readiness, ensuring projects are completed on schedule, within budget, and in accordance with FAA requirements, security standards, and quality expectations.

Program Execution

• Provide both technical project leadership and direct people management overseeing implementation teams.
• Own the full lifecycle of sophisticated projects from concept through deployment.
• Provide workforce forecasting, employee retention, succession planning, and talent development.
• Translate complex requirements into executable plans, schedules, and budgets using Agile, Waterfall, or hybrid methodologies.
• Align technical delivery with long‑term FAA modernization goals and program priorities.
• Support requirements analysis, readiness reviews, and operational transitions.
• Drive projects to successful completion while meeting FAA standards, cost targets, and delivery commitments.
• Translate complex customer and technical requirements into executable work plans.
• Track project progress against established milestones, KPIs, contractual requirements, and customer expectations.
• Coordinate cross‑functional technical teams, resolve implementation challenges, and maintain accountability for project outcomes.

Technical Leadership & Collaboration

• Manage the day-to-day performance, workload, priorities, and development of assigned employees.
• Conduct annual and mid‑year performance reviews, providing clear, objective, and actionable feedback aligned with employee goals and organizational expectations.
• Establish individual performance objectives and ensure employee goals align with program priorities, contractual requirements, and organizational objectives.
• Assess current and future staffing requirements based on project schedules, technical priorities, customer demand, and contractual requirements.
• Provide ongoing coaching, mentoring, career development, and performance feedback to strengthen individual and team performance.
• Review and approve employee timecards, PTO, attendance, and other workforce‑management activities.
• Partner closely with vendors, engineers, and program leaders to ensure seamless execution across all technical domains.
• Address employee performance issues and partnering with Human Resources when appropriate.

Risk Management with Real Impact

• Anticipate and resolve technical risks, dependencies, and integration challenges.
• Develop mitigation and contingency plans to protect program milestones and customer commitments.
• Maintain project risk and issue registers and ensure appropriate ownership, escalation, and resolution.
• Monitor team and project performance using established metrics and KPIs.
• Identify trends that may affect schedule, cost, quality, employee performance, or customer satisfaction.
• Develop corrective action plans and drive issues through resolution.

Trusted Stakeholder Partner

• Serve as a key interface between technical teams, program leadership, subcontractors, vendors, and other stakeholders.
• Provide clear status updates and executive‑level briefings covering technical progress, staffing, schedules, accomplishments, risks, issues, and upcoming milestones.
• Translate complex technical information into understandable program and business impacts for senior leadership and non‑technical stakeholders.
• Ensure customer priorities and expectations are effectively communicated to assigned employees and technical teams.

Why You’ll Want This Role:

Few roles offer the opportunity to apply deep technical and project management expertise at a scale that truly matters. In this position, your leadership directly supports aviation safety modernization across the National Airspace System.

Your work will:

• Influence systems relied upon by millions of travelers every day
• Support FAA initiatives that enhance safety, capacity, and resilience
• Place you at the center of high‑profile, mission‑critical programs