PROGRAM MANAGER
What you'd do
This position is part of the Warfare Centers Personnel Demonstration Project. The ND-5 pay band encompasses positions equivalent to GS-14 and GS-15. You will serve as the Afloat Counter Unmanned Systems (C-UxS) Assistant Program Manager (APM) for the Program Executive Office, Integrated Warfare Systems, Terminal Defense Systems Office (PEO IWS 11) in the Integrated Engagement Systems Department, Gun Weapon Systems Division (Code E30) of the Naval Surface Warfare Center, Dahlgren Division.
Major duties
You will direct the management and execution of Afloat Counter-Unmanned Systems (C-UxS) programs across the Program Executive Office, Integrated Warfare Systems, Terminal Defense Systems Office (PEO IWS 11) portfolio. You will lead strategic programmatic and technical efforts across the entire acquisition lifecycle, including advanced acquisition planning, POM-level financial execution, and the integration of emerging weapon systems into the fleet. You will implement best practices to manage complex project execution across a diverse matrix of performing activities, ensuring seamless coordination between government organizations, industry partners, and multi-disciplinary technical specialists. You will provide programmatic direction to Technical Design Agent (TDA) and In-Service Engineering Agent (ISEA) teams to ensure technical rigor, mission alignment, and platform readiness. You will collaborate with senior leadership, stakeholders, and Technical Warrant Holders (TWH) to formulate long-range acquisition strategies, defend budgetary requirements, and execute comprehensive risk mitigation plans. You will navigate complex NAVSEA ship installation processes to ensure the seamless integration of modular, interoperable weapon systems into the Navy's combat suite. You will deliver high-level project briefings to articulate program status, technical risks, and budgetary needs to Flag Officers, Senior Executive Service (SES) personnel, and the broader Department of War enterprise. You will oversee major program milestones and critical path requirements, continuously evaluating technical progress, resolving complex integration challenges, and managing financial execution to ensure mission success. You will lead cross-functional project execution across a diverse matrix of performing activities, ensuring alignment between government organizations, industry partners, and technical specialists. You will drive technical and programmatic rigor during key acquisition milestones, including leading In-Process Reviews (IPRs) and formal program assessments. You will formulate and maintain comprehensive acquisition documentation, including overarching project execution plans, strategic acquisition strategies, and complex out-year financial planning artifacts. You will develop and defend strategic budgetary inputs for current Fiscal Year execution and out-year Program Objective Memorandum (POM) funding requirements. You will provide authoritative programmatic direction to Technical Design Agents (TDA) and In-Service Engineering Agents (ISEA) to ensure technical efforts align with cost, schedule, and performance objectives. You will serve as a principal advisor to PEO IWS 11 leadership, providing strategic recommendations on program health, acquisition strategies, technical trajectory, and will be required to report to the IWS11 program office up to five days per week. You will identify and mitigate programmatic, schedule, and technical integration risks, coordinating seamlessly with leadership, stakeholders, subject matter experts, and Technical Warrant Holders to define solutions and ensure platform readiness.
What you need to qualify
This is an interdisciplinary position and may be filled by a General Engineer (0801-series), a General Physical Scientist (1301-series), an Operations Research Analyst (1515-series), a Mathematician (1520-series), or a Computer Scientist (1550-series) depending upon the qualifications of the candidate. Applicants in positions with occupational series other than those listed (0801, 1301, 1515, 1520 and 1550) may apply; however, you must apply directly to the series listed in this vacancy that is most applicable to your qualifications. In addition to the Basic Requirements for this position, your resume must also demonstrate at least one year of specialized experience at or equivalent to the ND-4 pay band (GS-12 and GS-13 equivalency) in the Federal service or equivalent experience in the private or public sector. Specialized experience must demonstrate the following: As a professional engineer or scientist leading the technical execution, acquisition, and management of Department of War/Navy weapon systems programs. Examples of specialized qualifying experience may include (1) managing the execution of acquisition programs, including tracking critical path requirements, major milestones, and financial/budgetary execution (e.g., POM inputs); (2) Leading the research, development, test, evaluation, and validation of in-service and emerging weapon systems technology; (3) Developing comprehensive acquisition and project execution documentation, such as execution plans, acquisition strategies, and statements of work; (4) Providing programmatic and technical direction to cross-functional teams, including Technical Design Agents (TDA), In-Service Engineering Agents (ISEA), and industry partners. Additional qualification information can be found from the following Office of Personnel Management website: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/#url=List-by-Occupational-Series Individual Occupational Requirements (IOR): All Professional Engineering Positions, 08XX General Physical Science Series, 1301 Operations Research Series, 1515 Mathematics Series, 1520 Computer Science Series, 1550 Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., professional, philanthropic, religious, spiritual, community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment.
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