Tecolote Research, Inc.

Acquisition Specialist/Program Manager

Tecolote Research, Inc.$100K — $120K *
Aerospace & Defense
8 - 10 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • 10+ years of industry and government acquisition experience, with 5+ years focused on DoW space acquisition programs
  • Bachelor's degree in Management, Business, Economics, Finance, Accounting, Mathematics, Science, Technology, Engineering, or Statistics, or a Master's degree in a related field
  • Experience supporting DoW Science & Technology (S&T), acquisition, operational, or program management organizations
  • Knowledge of systems engineering and software development using Agile methodologies
  • Strong written, verbal, analytical, and organizational skills, along with problem-solving abilities
  • Certifications like PMP, PSP, CCEA, or CCA highly desired

Responsibilities

  • Provide program management and technical integration for AFRL/RJ initiatives supporting space acquisition strategy
  • Anticipate bottlenecks, deconflict timelines, and evaluate Courses of Action (COAs) for technical, fiscal, and resource challenges
  • Collaborate with stakeholders to drive projects in operational exercises, demonstrations, and system resiliency
  • Translate complex technical data into clear briefings and strategic roadmaps for senior leadership
  • Monitor milestones and lead projects to ensure delivery of resilient warfighting capabilities

Benefits

  • Work with an integrated team of military, civilian, and contractor personnel
  • Opportunity to influence future satellite systems and space capabilities
  • Engage in multidisciplinary expertise within the space domain
  • Location at Kirtland Air Force Base, benefiting from military resources
Full Job Description
Overview

The position requires at least 10-years of combined industry and government acquisition experience of which 5-years shall include duties/assignments specifically in support of DoW space acquisition programs. Master's degree in Management, Business, Economics, Finance, Accounting, Mathematics, Science, Technology, Engineering, or Statistics OR a Bachelor's Degree in any of these fields and 10 years of experience that directly applies to fulfilling the required skills identified below.

Responsibilities

  • The applicant will provide comprehensive program management and technical integration across Air Force Research Lab (AFRL) Space Warfare Directorate (AFRL/RJ) initiatives, directly supporting space acquisition strategy, program management, and various programmatic functions.
  • Because each of these programmatic pillars shares complex, critical dependencies, the applicant will serve as the essential integration point to anticipate bottlenecks, deconflict timelines, and evaluate Courses of Action (COAs) addressing multifaceted technical, fiscal, and resource challenges.
  • Collaborating across laboratory, engineering, test, and industry stakeholders, candidate will drive projects spanning operational exercises, demonstrations, experimentation, and system resiliency while partnering with the AFRL program stakeholders to advance hybrid space architectures, resilient data transport, and system characterization.
  • Applicant will translate dense technical and programmatic data into clear briefings, strategic roadmaps, and actionable recommendations for senior Government leadership and multi-organizational working groups.
  • The applicant will understand cross-functional dependencies, monitor milestones, and periodically spearhead projects to help ensure the space enterprise delivers resilient warfighting capabilities in accordance with the Government's direction.


Skills Required

  • Experience supporting DoW Science & Technology (S&T), acquisition, operational, or program management organizations
  • Experience with military space, communications, or related systems
  • Experience or knowledge of systems engineering and software development using Agile methodologies, including Scrum and sprint-based development practices.
  • Experience supporting user integration, exercises, demonstrations, testing, or capability development
  • Ability to coordinate technical and programmatic activities across multiple Government and industry organizations
  • Experience developing and presenting technical briefings, recommendations, and program documentation
  • Strong written, verbal, analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills
  • Proficiency with Microsoft Project, Microsoft Office Suite and SharePoint
  • Ability to work independently and as part of an integrated Government/contractor team
  • Master's degree in Management, Business, Economics, Finance, Accounting, Mathematics, Science, Technology, Engineering, or Statistics OR a Bachelor's Degree in any of these fields and 10 years of experience that directly applies to fulfilling the required skills identified below.
  • Certifications: Project Management Professional (PMP), Project Scheduling Professional (PSP), Certified Cost Estimator/Analyst (CCEA), Certified Cost Professional (CCP) or similar credentials highly desired.


Air Force Research Laboratory Space Warfare Directorate

  • The AFRL/RJ is located at Kirtland Air Force Base, N.M. The organization leverages multidisciplinary expertise to pave the way for development of future satellite systems, rocket propulsion and space domain awareness capabilities. The Directorate consists of an integrated team of military, civilian, and on-site contractors.
  • AFRL executes the Science and Technology appropriations of the Department of the Air Force (DAF).
  • U.S. citizenship and ability to obtain DoD Top Secret / Secret Compartmentalized Information (TS/SCI) Clearance required.


Education

Bachelor's degree required, preferably in math, engineering, or the sciences.

About Tecolote Research, Inc.

Tecolote Research, Inc. is a private defense contractor that provides engineering and analysis services to the United States Department of Defense and other government agencies. The company was founded in 1973 and is headquartered in San Diego, California. Tecolote Research specializes in cost estimating, financial management, and program management services. The company has worked on a variety of defense projects, including the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter, the B-2 Spirit bomber, and the Trident missile system.
Learn more about Tecolote Research, Inc.
Size
1,200 employees
Industry
Net Income
$10 million
Founded
1973
5 Year Trend
+14%
Revenue
$150 million

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