Cyber Acquisition Program Manager

LOCATION: El Segundo, CA TRAVEL: 25% 

JOB STATUS: Full-timeCLEARANCE: Top Secret/SCI Eligible

SALARY RANGE: Estimated $150,000 + annually*

*depending on experience, certifications, and qualifications

U.S. Space Force, Space Systems Command (SSC), Space Sensing Directorate, Future Operationally Resilient Ground Evolution (FORGE) program office is looking for a Cyber Acquisition Program Manager to support the program office at Los Angeles AFB. FORGE is a ground system that supports the Next-Gen Overhead Persistent Infrared (OPIR) program, continued operations of legacy Space Based Infrared Systems (SBIRS), new constellations such as the Medium Earth Orbit (MEO) and Low Earth Orbit (LEO) constellations, and future sensors. FORGE delivers enhanced capabilities to space operators and warfighters for Missile Warning, Missile Defense, Battlespace Awareness, Technical Intelligence, and Civil/Environmental operations. FORGE provides cyber-secure and efficient processing of the increased amounts of data that will be collected by SBIRS, Next-Gen OPIR satellite payloads, MEO, LEO, and future constellations.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS / SKILLS

• Master’s degree in engineering, or related technical field. Equivalent combination of education and experience may be substituted for degree requirement. Education equivalent per contract: 12 years work experience may be substituted for a Master's Degree; OR Bachelor's Degree plus 8 years work experience may be substituted for a Master's Degree.
• Minimum 10+ years of experience with MAJCOM level organizations and processes to include a working level knowledge of requirements generation, integration, test and evaluation.
• Familiarity with Space System Command (Formerly Space and Missile Systems Center)
• Excellent and detail-oriented organizational, interpersonal, and communications skills

• The Cyber Acquisition Program Manager is responsible for leading the planning, acquisition, integration, and execution of cybersecurity capabilities for FORGE and interfacing programs that support Space Sensing mission objectives. This role serves as the primary interface among technical teams, government stakeholders, contractors, and senior leadership to ensure cyber solutions are delivered on schedule, within budget, and in compliance with applicable acquisition and cybersecurity requirements.

• The ideal candidate possesses a strong understanding of cybersecurity principles, federal acquisition processes, and program management best practices. They must be skilled at building consensus, influencing stakeholders, and effectively managing competing priorities in complex, high-pressure environments.

• Experience supporting cyber operations, cyber defense, cloud security, or enterprise cybersecurity initiatives.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS / SKILLS 

• Strategic thinker with strong organizational and analytical skills.
• Skilled at managing difficult personalities and competing stakeholder interests while maintaining productive working relationships.
• Strong executive presence and ability to communicate effectively with senior leaders.
• Results-oriented with a demonstrated ability to drive programs forward despite ambiguity and organizational challenges.
• Collaborative leader capable of aligning technical and business objectives across diverse teams.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Serve as the overall program lead delegate responsible for successful delivery of cybersecurity requirements, ensuring alignment with organizational, customer, and mission objectives.
• Develop and maintain integrated program plans, schedules, budgets, resource allocations, and performance metrics.
• Establish and manage program governance structures, including Integrated Product Teams (IPTs), working groups, and executive steering committees.
• Track and manage program execution against cost, schedule, technical performance, and quality objectives.
• Identify, assess, and mitigate program risks, issues, and dependencies while maintaining comprehensive risk management documentation.
• Lead cross-functional teams consisting of cybersecurity professionals, engineers, contracting personnel, operations teams, and external stakeholders.
• Develop acquisition and execution strategies that balance mission needs, technical requirements, budget constraints, and schedule demands.
• Manage program changes through formal change management processes and ensure stakeholders understand impacts to cost, schedule, and scope.
• Conduct recurring program reviews and provide clear, actionable recommendations to senior leadership.
• Coordinate and prepare executive-level briefings, decision papers, status reports, and milestone reviews.
• Ensure compliance with contractual, regulatory, cybersecurity, and organizational requirements throughout the program lifecycle.
• Drive accountability across teams and stakeholders while fostering collaboration and maintaining positive working relationships.
• Resolve complex organizational challenges, competing priorities, and stakeholder conflicts to keep programs on track.

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