Program Manager: Defense Programs

At DES, we are a team of innovators who share a passion for critical thinking, inventing, and designing. We are committed to excellence in delivering technical solutions, research and development, prototype fabrications, small-batch / low-rate product manufacturing, technical analyses utilizing modeling and simulation tools, and test services for projects of all sizes. Our capabilities include mechanical, electrical, and manufacturing engineering, requirements-based systems engineering design and development, design for manufacturing and sustainment, human factors engineering, and formal risk | opportunity management.

The Program Manager (PM) is responsible for developing and leading engineering programs, including projects and team members, to successful completion. This role will oversee program budgets, schedules, staffing, and tasking. The Program Manager creates and promotes an environment of autonomy and collaboration among project teams resulting in high levels of efficiency, quality, and technical excellence. This role requires successful management of client relationships leading to increased business opportunities and profitability.

• Lead the engineering and prototype projects with technical know-how and experience including effective requirements analysis and decomposition, systems engineering, and technical management.
• Manage project teams through scrums, design reviews, and planning meetings to ensure all projects are completed on time and within budget.
• Create value-added engineering products and prototypes for the customer (internal and external).
• Effectively keep project teams on target and efficiently utilized on billable projects.
• Create design/project plans with the customer, track the design/project plan, and communicate status in the customer’s preferred method.
• Actively identify and mitigate project risks both technically and operationally.
• Support project teams by offering help and assistance, communicating effectively, and being flexible and accommodating to necessary changes.
• Act without direction and watch for opportunities to improve and reduce waste while understanding the intricacies of our industry and proper conduct.
• Facilitates and encourages a culture of cross‑collaboration, open communication, and solutions‑oriented approaches to challenges.
• Collaborates with senior leadership to understand the organization’s goals and strategy related to staffing, recruiting, and retention.
• Works with the organization’s departments to collaborate on organizational timelines to ensure all are working effectively toward our mutual goals.
• Works closely with Human Resources to lead the team with integrity and to establish and maintain a trusting, inclusive, and productive environment. Leadership of employees may include compensation and benefits, recognition and morale, occupational health and safety, and training and development.
• Coaches, teaches, mentors, and advises the Engineering Project Managers (EPMs) in the fundamentals of project management to ensure the proper development of the EPMs and successful completion of projects.

• Bachelor of Science in Engineering, Physical Sciences, Mathematics, Management Information Systems or Business.
• Fifteen (15) years of technical experience in support of relevant technical field to include Equipment Support, System Support, and Programmatic Support.
• Ten (10) years of Program Management experience to include technology assessments, systems design, systems analysis, programmatic support, acquisition planning, and budget planning, and scheduling.
• Ten (10) years as a Program Manager in support of the Department of War.
• Experience managing programs to the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR), Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation (DFAR) and other Department of War procurement policies and procedures.

DES is an Equal Opportunity / Affinity Employer. DES recognizes the value of diversity and is committed to inclusion in our workplace. Additionally, we are committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all individuals in all employment practices, including but not limited to, recruitment, selection, hiring, employment, assignment, reassignment, training, promotion, transfer, compensation, benefits, discipline, termination, and any other personnel action or benefit without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation and gender identity, non-binary gender designations, age, national origin, disability or handicap, pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions, including but not limited to, lactation, genetic information, status as a member or veteran of the uniformed services, citizenship status, or any other characteristic or category protected by federal, state, or local law.