Principal Program Manager

Job ID: 109834 

 

The Leonardo DRS Naval Power Systems business is a trusted provider of innovative naval gas and hybrid power systems, control technology and support solutions for the U.S. Navy and navies around the world.

Job Summary

We are currently seeking a Principal Program Manager for our Propulsion Cabinets division. The Program Manager (PM) is the individual responsible for leading strategic initiatives to advance our mission-critical defense projects and is the primary point of contact between the product team, senior management, and the customer. In this role, the PM will lead projects involving production as well as design & development scope to deliver products to our key customers with the U.S. Navy.

Job Responsibilities

• Lead bid and proposal activities to meet request for proposal requirements for existing customers.
• Represent management at program reviews, meetings, and seminars.
• Prepare for and participate in contract/subcontract negotiations, ensuring adherence to government regulatory guidance.
• Allocate and manage contract budgets (labor, material, travel, purchased services), providing regular status reports to senior management.
• Identify, assess, monitor, and mitigate risks throughout the program life cycle, obtaining management approval for decisions impacting program objectives.
• Oversee material execution to ensure schedule and budget adherence within a business area.
• Conduct formal and informal variance analysis of schedule and cost (e.g., earned value management system), presenting findings to senior management.
• Act as primary interface with customers on contract execution matters, coordinating with departments to resolve contractual issues.
• Collaborate with Contracts Administration on contract requirements, changes, and interpretations.
• Ensure contract execution complies with regulations and company policies (e.g., federal acquisition regulations).
• Provide leadership to program/project teams, fostering communication, cooperation, and conflict resolution.
• Facilitate timely closeout of completed programs, ensuring all obligations are met and documentation is accurate.
• Develop and implement program corrective action strategies.
• Apply principles of program planning and cash flow management effectively across disciplines.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 8 years of Program Management experience 
• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Project Management or related field
• Knowledge of program management tools and procedures
• Leadership and management skills
• Experience throughout the program lifecycle from development through sustainment to include: proposal development, requirements decomposition, generation of system and subsystem statements of work and subcontracts, risk management, and continuous improvement efforts including implementation cost reduction and performance improvement efforts
• Experience with earned value cost accounting and reporting; experience with metrics for assessing and reporting program progress, productivity and variance analysis
• Experience in finance, contracting, export regulations, engineering, logistics, manufacturing and supply chain management
• Solid problem solving skills
• Ability to manage aerospace/defense programs as a prime or subcontractor to a domestic or foreign military organization   
• Strong oral and written communication skills
• Program Management certification preferred (i.e. PMP or DAU)

U.S. Citizenship required. This position requires an active DOD security clearance or the ability to obtain such clearance within a reasonable time after c