Principal Engineering Technical Project Manager (TPM)

Position Title: Principal Engineering Technical Project Manager (TPM)
Requisition ID: 1898
Position Location: Sterling, VA
Position Reports To: Director, Systems Engineering, Integration & Test
Supervises Others: No

Position Summary

The Principal Engineering Technical Project Manager (TPM) will drive the execution and financial control of complex, integrated hardware and software engineering developments for aerospace and defense programs. Acting as both the primary operational steward and a leader for critical program control accounts, the TPM is directly accountable for cost and schedule execution.

The successful candidate will leverage an engineering background to deeply understand technical scope, coordinate cross-functional activities, and serve as the central execution leader for the development team. In this role, the TPM will proactively identify technical risks, track hardware/software integration dependencies, and partner with Program Management and functional leadership to resolve variances. Execution will require a strong command of both traditional Integrated Master Schedules (IMS) and Agile development methodologies.

Duties and Responsibilities

The Engineering Engineering Technical Project Manager (TPM) balances oversight with rigorous financial control to ensure engineering programs are delivered on time and within budget.

• Budget Ownership: Manage cost accounts, monitor budgets, and take full accountability for cost and schedule compliance.
• Variance Tracking: Analyze weekly cost and schedule variances, identify root causes, and implement corrective actions.
• Forecasting: Maintain accurate Estimates at Completion (EAC) based on actual engineering progress and remaining work.
• Schedule Optimization: Partner with schedulers to maintain a realistic, logic-driven Integrated Master Schedule (IMS).
• Bridge Agile & Waterfall: Translate Agile engineering metrics (sprints, velocity) into traditional milestone tracking.
• Resource Planning: Forecast engineering staffing needs to ensure the team can meet upcoming deliverables.
• Ability to support travel or off-site work, as needed.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Computer Science/Engineering, Software Engineering, or a related technical discipline (or equivalent relevant experience).
• Minimum of 9 years of professional engineering and development experience within the aerospace and defense industry.
• Prior experience serving as a Technical Project Manager (TPM) or Cost Account Manager (CAM) or working intimately within an Earned Value Management System (EVMS) framework.
• Technical Acumen: Solid understanding of the full hardware and software development lifecycle, hardware/software integration, and Agile methodologies.
• Leadership & Communication: Strong interpersonal, communication, and leadership skills with a proven ability to collaborate effectively across cross-functional teams.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience leading multi-disciplinary engineering teams or serving as a technical lead/product owner.
• Certified Scrum Master (CSM), SAFe Agilist/Scrum Master, or equivalent Agile certification.
• Project Management Professional (PMP)

Pay Information

Full-Time Salary Range: $140,000 - $188,000

Please Note: Actual compensation offered will be determined based on several factors including, but not limited to, relevant experience, skills, education, certifications, internal equity, business considerations, and geographic location where applicable.

Benefits

Hired applicants may be eligible for benefits including but not limited to:

• Health benefits
  • Medical
  • Dental
  • Vision
  • Basic life with AD&D
  • Short term disability
  • Long term disability
  • Ancillary (Voluntary life with AD&D, accident, critical illness, hospital, and pet)
  • Spending accounts (HSA, FSA, and DCFSA)
• Paid time off
• Holidays
• 401(k) (including company match)
• Tuition reimbursement
• Leaves (Parental, maternity, and military)
• Annual discretionary bonus (for eligible roles)

Trident Systems reserves the right to change or assign other duties to this position.