Principal Project Manager

Entarian

$142K — $177K *
Aerospace & Defense
8 - 10 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Active Top Secret / SCI eligible security clearance
  • Minimum ten (10) years of experience in defense or space project management
  • Bachelor's degree in IT, computer science, engineering, or related field
  • Project Management Professional (PMP) certification
  • Experience managing cross-disciplinary teams in technical environments
  • Strong understanding of space systems and communications architectures
  • Ability to effectively communicate with senior stakeholders

Responsibilities

  • Provide leadership for complex space operations and mission support projects
  • Lead multidisciplinary teams including program managers and engineers
  • Manage lifecycle project execution from requirements to operational sustainment
  • Establish project management processes including risk management and performance metrics
  • Serve as liaison between government customers and technical teams
  • Coordinate across systems engineering and mission support activities
  • Oversee operational readiness and training activities for mission operations
  • Identify and mitigate program risks and schedule impacts

Benefits

  • Collaborative work environment
  • Opportunities for professional development
  • Access to cutting-edge technology and resources
  • Engagement with senior government stakeholders
  • Continuous improvement initiatives
  • Flexible travel requirements for mission support
Full Job Description
Overview/ Job Responsibilities

Position is contingent upon contract award and funding.

Entarian is seeking an experienced Principal Project Manager to assist in leading the execution of a complex space mission operations capability supporting DoD mission requirements. The ideal candidate will have demonstrated experience managing large-scale technical programs involving space systems, ground infrastructure, mission operations, communications networks, or enterprise IT capabilities. The selected candidate will provide project leadership across engineering, operations, cybersecurity, integration, and mission support functions. This role will assist in overseeing the planning, execution, integration, operational readiness, and sustainment of a mission-focused capability designed to provide resilient, scalable, and secure comms provisioning and data transport with operational support across distributed environments.

The Principal Project Manager will serve as a project leader supporting the Executive Program Manager in leading the technical execution, operational performance, customer objectives, and contractual commitments while leading a multidisciplinary team supporting mission success.

Responsibilities include, but not limited to:
  • Providing project leadership and oversight for complex space operations and mission support capability.
  • Assisting in leading multidisciplinary teams consisting of program managers, engineers, operations personnel, cybersecurity professionals, and technical subject matter experts.
  • Managing project execution across the full life-cycle, including requirements development, design, integration, testing, deployment, operational transition, and sustainment.
  • Establishing and maintaining project management processes including integrated master schedules, risk management, resource planning, performance metrics, and executive reporting.
  • Serving alongside the Executive Program Manager as an interface between government customers, mission partners, technical teams, and corporate leadership.
  • Coordinating execution across systems engineering, network operations, infrastructure deployment, cybersecurity, and mission support activities.
  • Overseeing operational readiness activities, including procedures, processes, staffing, training, and transition activities required to support mission operations.
  • Identifying program risks, technical challenges, schedule impacts, and resource constraints; developing mitigation strategies and drive resolution.
  • Collaborating to ensure technical execution remains aligned with mission requirements, cybersecurity objectives, and contractual obligations.
  • Managing contract deliverables, customer communications, program reviews, and performance reporting.
  • Assisting in developing and presenting executive-level briefings, status reports, and program updates to senior leadership and government stakeholders as needed.
  • Overseeing effective program governance, operational rhythms, and continuous improvement processes.


Salary range: $142,000.00 - $177,000.00

Minimum Qualifications

  • Active Top Secret / SCI eligible security clearance.
  • Minimum ten (10) years of experience managing complex defense, space, communications, information technology, or mission operations projects.
  • Bachelor's degree in information technology, computer science, engineering, or related technical discipline. (Equivalent experience may be considered.)
  • Project Management Professional (PMP) certification.
  • Demonstrated experience leading complex projects involving multiple technical disciplines and stakeholder groups.
  • Experience managing projects through development, integration, deployment, and operational sustainment phases.
  • Experience working directly with government customers, military personnel, and technical stakeholders.
  • Experience managing technical teams supporting mission-critical environments.
  • Strong understanding of space systems, ground operations, data transport architectures, communications systems, or enterprise infrastructure environments.
  • Ability to communicate effectively with senior government leaders, technical teams, and executive stakeholders.
  • Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, including Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Project, and Outlook.
  • Ability to travel approximately 25% to support customer locations, mission partner engagements, and operational activities.


Desired Qualifications

  • Experience supporting Space Systems Command, Department of Defense, or intelligence community programs.
  • Experience managing Network Operations Centers (NOC), Mission Operations Centers (MOC), satellite ground systems, or space mission support environments.
  • Experience supporting space data transport, communications architectures, or distributed mission systems.
  • Experience transitioning developmental or prototype capabilities into operational environments.
  • Experience overseeing operational processes, procedures, and governance frameworks for new mission capabilities.
  • Experience with Agile development, DevSecOps, systems engineering, or modern infrastructure delivery practices.


Join the Mission and Start your Career Journey: Apply Directly via our Careers Portal Connect, Referrals & Inquiries? Email the team: [email protected]

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