Program Manager - Military veterans preferred

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 supporting 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 Program Manager for the APTA division, located in Cypress CA.  As part of APTA, you will contribute to leading-edge research and development projects such as solving problems in drone navigation and safety, RF sensors on moving platforms, and hostile-fire warning. The selectee will have the chance to exercise their flexibility, adaptability, aptitude for quick learning, and 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
• Control scope, cost, risk, and work with the Chief Engineer/Principal Investigator on 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, directly or through delegation, all processes and requirements needed to deliver expected capabilities on-budget and on-schedule
• Communicate 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 translate customer and business requirements into workable program execution plans
• 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
• Adaptability and flexibility

Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in a technical, management, or business discipline
• 5+ years applicable experience in a high-technology setting
• Experience with: managing product development and/or research and development projects, project planning and budgeting, and cost, schedule, and technical analysis
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills internally and with external clients
• Strong organizational skills including attention to detail and multitasking
• Demonstrated capability to apply various Microsoft Office tools for briefings, project tracking, and communication including Microsoft Project or equivalent
• 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

Preferred Qualifications:

• PMP or PMI certification
• Familiarity with: Earned Value methodology, Risk management, Hardware and Software Development lifecycle, systems engineering, DoD acquisition programs 
• Experience with Deltek Costpoint, Unanet, ProPricer, Cameo Systems Modeler
• 7+ 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 $125,000 to $140,000 (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.

SARA is an equal employment opportunity employer.