Title: Principal Program Manager
Department: CEFD - Eng Govn Prgm Office
Last Modified: 6/24/2026
FLSA Status: Exempt
Location: Chandler, AZ
Level: P6
Purpose:
The Principal Program Manager will be responsible for leading all aspects of program execution (cost, schedule, technical performance, and customer satisfaction) for one or more government or commercial development programs.
Responsibilities:
- Serve as a senior program leader for high-complexity, high-value programs.
- Lead cross-functional teams across engineering, operations, supply chain, finance, contracts, and quality to ensure seamless execution of large, multi-phase development programs.
- Direct execution of major subcontractors and suppliers, establishing performance frameworks, negotiating complex changes, and ensuring on-time, on-budget delivery.
- Approve and guide creation of integrated program schedules, risk registers, and technical execution plans across multiple workstreams.
- Establish and sustain business relationships, respond to customer needs in a timely manner, multi-task, and lead a diverse staff to achieve program and business objectives.
- Full accountability and authority for leading and managing the program.
- Establish an executable program baseline, earned value (EV) plan when required.
- Identify and manage risks and opportunities to achieve all program requirements.
- Ensure that contractual requirements are met and that scope changes are handled appropriately.
- Champion organizational capability building, including PM process maturity, EVMS discipline, schedule management excellence, and customer communication standards.
- Ensure that financial tracking is performed appropriately.
- Establish the program baseline and prepare Estimate to Complete (ETC) forecasts monthly.
- Create and maintain Microsoft Project schedules for each program.
- Serve as the primary customer interface to ensure program execution is aligned with customer expectations.
Requirements:
- Demonstrated experience leading multi-disciplined, cross functional, matrixed teams.
- Experience managing concurrent programs.
- Strong communication skills and experience presenting to customers and senior leadership; ability to effectively work and communicate with all levels of management and customers.
- Strong working knowledge of business and project management processes and tools such as EVMS, IMS/IMP, Risk Management, Financial Forecasting and EACs, Microsoft Project or other scheduling tool.
- Ability to develop customer and program enhancing partnerships with internal functional organizations such as Contracts, Finance, Engineering, Supply Chain, Operations and other support functions.
- Knowledge of Government procurement, contracting, and standards and specifications.
- Proficient in Microsoft Tools (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Project).
- Active DoD Top Secret Clearance, or the willingness and ability to obtain one.
Skills:
- Direct technical development experience in satellite modems, software defined radio, radar, FPGA, real time software, encryption or other related disciplines.
- Experience with DCMA and DCAA oversight and audit processes.
- Experience with DoD Acquisition policies, procedures, and regulations.
Education
- Bachelor's degree in engineering, business, or related field (master's degree or MBA preferred).
- Program/Project Management Professional (PgMP/PMP) Certification.
Experience:
- 10+ years of professional related work experience.
- Five (5) or more years direct experience in the Program Manager role running Government development programs of $5M or greater.
- Five (5) or more years direct experience in hands-on engineering development.
The pay range reflects the expected base salary for this position. Final compensation will be based on role, level, skills, experience, and geographic location.
