Senior Program Manager - 1390

Scientific Applications & Research Associates, Inc. (SARA) is a world-class Defense Research and Development enterprise, with a charter to create new and emerging technology innovations in support of Commercial & Government organizations. We have expertise in RF, EMP, Pulsed Power, Acoustics and Threat Warning Systems, and we prioritize partnering with our customers to address real-world problems with cost-effective solutions.

The Artificial Perception & Threat Awareness (APTA) division at SARA is making the future of Aerospace and Autonomy happen now, with a charter to create new and emerging sensor perception technologies for Commercial & Military markets. Our innovative technologies include RF, optical and acoustic sensors enabled with innovative embedded algorithms, machine learning and robust networking.

SARA is searching for the right candidate to fill the role of Senior Program Manager for the APTA division, located in Cypress CA. As part of APTA, you will contribute to bleeding-edge research and development projects, solving problems in drone navigation and safety, RF sensors on moving platforms, and hostile-fire warning to name just a few. The selectee will have the chance to exercise his/her flexibility, adaptability, aptitude for quick learning, and of course, subject matter mastery in a fast-paced, highly-technical environment. The chosen candidate will be able to grow and learn with talented program managers, engineers, software developers, physicists, and technicians on long-term programs supporting the DoD, DoE, and their contractors.

Core Responsibilities:

• Lead your teams in the day-to-day execution of your assigned programs, providing big-picture guidance while clearing hurdles and facilitating your peoples' ability to succeed, which will in turn make you successful
• Control scope, cost, risk, and along with the Chief Engineer/Principal Investigator the technical baseline with a keen eye towards customer needs
• Collaborate with your technical counterpart, customer counterparts, and SARA functional departments and mission leads to fulfill the overall contract and organizational mandates
• Manage, either directly or through delegation, all processes and requirements needed to deliver expected capabilities on-budget and on-schedule
• Communicate upstream, downstream, and laterally with internal and external stakeholders, ensuring information and status flows where and when it is needed
• Perform other related responsibilities as assigned

Key Competencies:

• Ability to analyze from the big picture down to the small details
• Comfort with managing highly-skilled and deeply-technical personnel
• Excellent decision-making and leadership capabilities
• Critical thinking and problem solving
• Effective communications and ability to influence others, both within teams and up/down the management chain
• Adaptability and flexibility

Requirements:

• Bachelor's Degree in a technical, management, or business discipline
• 10+ years applicable experience in a high-technology setting
• Hands-on experience with: Project planning and budgeting, earned value methodology, in-depth cost, schedule, and technical analysis
• Experience with: Risk management, Hardware and Software Development lifecycle, systems engineering, DoD acquisition programs
• Concurrent management of multiple programs, ranging from Research and Development to Product Development and Fielding
• Excellent client-facing and internal communication skills
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Strong organizational skills including attention to detail and multitasking skills
• Demonstrated capability to apply various Microsoft Office tools for briefings, project tracking and communication
• US Citizen with the ability to obtain and maintain a DoD security clearance
• May require moderate physical effort, involving standing, sitting and use of hands while performing duties, carrying or lifting up to 25 pounds
• Working environment is indoor, moderately quiet, reasonably clean, well-lighted and well-ventilated

Preferred Qualifications:

• PMP or PMI certification
• Experience with RTCA/DO-178C, RTCA/DO-254 and/or MIL-STD-882 certification
• Experience with Deltek Costpoint, Unanet, and ProPricer
• 15+ years of experience in complex people-enabled technologically-complex business

SARA offers a competitive benefits package to include:

• Medical, dental, vision, disability and life insurance; and other supplemental programs
• A generous PTO program (vacation, sick, holiday)
• Tuition & certification reimbursement
• Flexible work schedules
• Discretionary Employee bonuses
• 401(k) match/profit sharing
• Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP)

Pay Range:
Salary at SARA is determined by various factors, including but not limited to location, the individual's particular combination of education, knowledge, skills, competencies, and experience, as well as contract-specific affordability and organizational requirements. The projected compensation range for this position is $140,000 to $175,000 (annualized USD). The estimate displayed represents the typical salary range for this position and is just one component of SARA's total compensation package for employees.

EEO Commitment
We're an equal employment opportunity/affirmative action employer that empowers- no matter their race, color, ethnicity, religion, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, lactation, or related medical conditions), national origin, ancestry, age, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, disability, veteran status, military or uniformed service member status, genetic information, or any other status protected by applicable federal, state, local, or international law.