About Careertakes

👉 Important disclosure: Careertakes is a third-party recruiting platform supporting this hiring process. If selected, you will be employed directly by our client, Aerospace & Defense (Space Systems).

Applicants for this role may also receive access to additional matched opportunities through the Careertakes platform.

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Position Overview

Confidential Client’s Space Sector is hiring a Program Manager 1 to lead small-to-medium programs or serve as a deputy on larger efforts. This early-career program management role is responsible for delivering contractual requirements on cost and schedule while meeting technical objectives and building strong customer relationships. The role supports program lifecycle activities from shaping and capture through integration, test, delivery, and contract closeout.

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What You’ll Do

• Lead and direct cross-functional Integrated Program Teams (IPTs) to meet program cost, schedule, and technical objectives
• Develop program organization, processes, master plans and schedules
• Manage program resources including workforce planning and supplier performance
• Use Earned Value Management (EVM) or similar cost & schedule control tools to maintain budget baselines
• Identify, allocate, trace and close program requirements and baselines
• Conduct risk and opportunity management: identify, mitigate, and realize opportunities
• Cultivate customer relationships and support capture and business development activities
• Prepare and deliver clear presentations to customers, senior leaders, and stakeholders
• Participate in contract negotiation, changes, budget and milestone discussions
• Manage government/customer furnished equipment/information (GFE/CFE) and ensure compliance with internal processes and industry standards

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Qualifications

Basic Qualifications (required):

• Bachelor’s degree and 5 years’ relevant experience, or master’s degree and 3 years’ relevant experience supporting U.S. Government contracts or subproject management
• Currently hold and ability to maintain Top Secret/SCI clearance at time of application; ability to gain additional Special Accesses
• At least 3 years of experience completing technical tasks on schedule and at cost (examples: design, manufacture, test, or operation of components, subsystems, or systems)
• At least 3 years of demonstrated success leading teams to achieve shared goals
• Ability to travel (role references travel of up to ~20–25%)
• Strong business acumen — apply financial and business concepts to program decisions
• Effective communications skills to manage program information and stakeholder expectations
• Proven issue and problem resolution skills across program levels

Additional legal/eligibility note: U.S. Citizenship is required for positions requiring government clearance.

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Preferred Qualifications

• Experience leading teams of 4+ people and managing scopes or activities exceeding $5M (possibly as part of a larger program team)
• Technical undergraduate or graduate degree (science, math, engineering)
• Experience with space systems (satellites, space-to-ground communications, command & control, space vehicle operations)
• Experience with offensive and/or defensive counterspace architectures, missions, or technologies
• Capture management experience and ability to shape customer expectations
• Strong capability in technical performance baselines, requirements management, program integration, and earned value/planning & scheduling

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Compensation & Benefits

Primary Level Salary Range: $133,000 - $199,600 per year.

The salary range is provided as a guideline. Final base salary will consider factors such as the scope of responsibilities, candidate experience, education, skills, and market conditions. Depending on the position, employees may be eligible for overtime, shift differentials, and discretionary bonuses. Benefits may include health insurance, life and disability coverage, retirement/savings plans, paid holidays, and paid time off (PTO). Specific benefits and eligibility depend on the hiring client and role.

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Location & Clearances

• Location: Dulles, VA (onsite or client-designated facilities as required)
• Clearance: Top Secret/SCI required and the ability to maintain and obtain additional Special Accesses
• Citizenship: U.S. Citizenship required for cleared roles

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Equal Opportunity & Hiring Transparency

Careertakes and our client are Equal Opportunity Employers committed to building a diverse and inclusive workforce. We prohibit discrimination or harassment of any kind. To support a fair and efficient hiring process, AI tools may be used to assist with application review or resume screening. These tools do not replace human decision-making. Final hiring decisions are made by people.

If you have questions about how your data is used, please contact us directly.