Program Manager - Simulator Deployment and Sustainment Job Description Position Summary The Program Manager is the senior frontline management position responsible for leading a team of Deputy Program Managers, Product Support Specialists and Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) for a multi-year program delivering training simulators to a national footprint of US Government facilities. This role focuses on the overall program health and performance ensuring the firm-fixed price program is delivered on time, within budget, and to customer satisfaction. This program carries significant contract value, hardware and software procurement, configuration-managed baselines, and milestone deadlines with direct schedule, financial, and liquidated-damages accountability. While the Program Manager role primary focus is to lead a strategically important program, there is also emphasis on team leadership, portfolio oversight, resource allocation, and alignment with organizational objectives. The Program Manager serves as a key link between program execution and executive leadership, and as a senior point of contact for prime contractors, Government stakeholders, and end customers on a high-consequence program. Responsibilities Direct Program Management Directly manage strategically important program with national multi-site rollouts under firm-fixed-price terms. Provide hands-on program leadership during critical phases, installations, test events, or resource constraints. Own scope, schedule, cost, and quality on assigned programs and manage milestone deadlines where slips carry contractual, financial, and liquidated-damages exposure. Customer & Stakeholder Management Serves as the senior customer-facing point of contact; running program reviews, IPRs, and customer briefings Manage customer expectations and satisfaction through installation and site activation. Handle change requests, exceptions, and scope conversations with the prime and the Government. Build long-term customer relationships that position follow-on work and option-year exercise. Align project/program priorities with organizational strategy and objectives. Communicate program status, risks, and strategic issues to executive leadership. Serve as an escalation point for critical customer issues and program decisions. Interface with prime contractors and Government stakeholders, managing flow-down obligations, submittals, approvals, and deliverable commitments. Program Oversight & Project Health Monitor the health, status, and performance within the program, including multi-site national deployments and long-duration programs with option years. Review project schedules, budgets, and risk profiles to identify issues requiring intervention. Ensure consistent application of project management, systems engineering, test and evaluation, and configuration management (CCB-governed baseline) methodologies and standards. Cost, Schedule & Procurement Management Oversee cost and schedule baselines, applying earned value and other performance measures to keep firm-fixed-price program within budget. Guide management of Other Direct Costs, including procurement, vendor coordination, and supply-chain risk. Ensure integrated master schedule is maintained and that critical-path risks to installation, testing, and site activation are identified and mitigated early. Oversee contract deliverables required for the prime contractor to meet its obligations to the customer. Resource & Capacity Management Allocate project management resources based on project priorities to identify capacity constraints. Coordinate with cross-functional teams (development, systems engineering, test and evaluation, installation, and operations and maintenance) to ensure adequate staffing and support for project delivery. Team Leadership & Development Directly manage and supervise Deputy Program Managers, Product Support Specialists and Subject Matter Experts (SMEs)Conduct regular one-on-ones, performance reviews, and career development discussions with direct reports. Provide coaching, mentorship, and guidance on project management best practices. Identify training needs and support professional development of team members. Foster a collaborative team environment and promote knowledge sharing across the organization. Participate in hiring, onboarding, and resource planning. Required Qualifications Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, Aviation, Business, or related field. 15+ years of experience in program or project management, including large-scale, multi-site technical systems. 5+ years of experience in a management or team leadership capacity, leading project managers or technical leads. Project Management Professional (PMP) certification. Demonstrated experience delivering firm-fixed-price programs of significant value (multi-million dollar) with multi-year periods of performance and option years. Experience as a subcontractor program manager interfacing with a prime contractor and a Government end customer, including managing flow-down requirements and deliverables. Strong understanding of systems engineering, test and evaluation, and configuration management / controlled baselines (CCB) processes. Experience with cost and schedule control, including integrated master scheduling. Experience managing milestone-driven contracts, including risk and issue management under schedule, financial, and liquidated-damages accountability. Experience with project management and work management tools (e.g., MS Project, JIRA), and proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Visio). Strong leadership, coaching, interpersonal, and written and verbal communication skills. Must be able to obtain and maintain a Position of Public Trust Clearance. Must be able to comply with U.S. trade and export-control requirements (ITAR, EAR, OFAC, FTR). Must be a U.S. citizen. Preferred Qualifications MBA or Master's degree in engineering, management, or a related field. Program Management Professional (PgMP) certification. Agile or Scrum certification (CSM, PSM, SAFe). Direct experience on U.S. Government programs, including FAA or National Airspace System (NAS) programs. Working knowledge of ATC concepts, airfield/tower operations, and simulation/training environments. Aviation certifications or background (e.g., FAA Control Tower Operator, Pilot License, or equivalent controller/aviation experience). Experience managing hardware/software procurement and supply-chain logistics on large-value programs. Active or recently held Public Trust or higher clearance. Travel Requirements Domestic and international travel may be required, including travel to customer and installation sites across a national footprint to support deployments, test events, site activations, and program reviews. Work Location Germantown, MD