Piper Companies

Program Acquisition Specialist

Piper Companies • $160K — $175K *
Aerospace & Defense
5 - 7 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • 5+ years experience in DoD weapon systems acquisition and program management.
  • Bachelor's degree in Business Management or equivalent discipline.
  • Familiarity with DoD Major Capability Acquisition process.
  • Understanding of JCIDS process.
  • Experience with PPBE process.
  • In-scope T5 or SSBI security clearance required.
  • Willingness to access SCI and SAP, including a Polygraph exam.

Responsibilities

  • Advise on acquisition strategies, schedules, and contracting matters.
  • Develop acquisition plans and program schedules.
  • Draft program documentation per DoDI 5000.02 and Air Force policies.
  • Coordinate staff meetings and Technical Interchange Meetings.
  • Conduct assessments of contractor designs and milestone reviews.
  • Monitor program execution and financial obligations.
  • Support the development of program funding and financial reports.

Benefits

  • Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage.
  • 401k plan participation.
  • Paid Time Off and holidays provided.
  • Sick leave as required by law.
Full Job Description
Program Acquisition Specialist to support a mission-critical DoD program in El Segundo, CA. This is an ONSITE position in El Segundo, CA.

The Program Acquisition Specialist will provide acquisition and program management support to government Program Managers, advising on acquisition strategies, schedules, contracting, budgeting, and program execution. This position will support DoD acquisition planning and execution, program reviews, acquisition documentation, financial management, and coordination across government and contractor teams.

Responsibilities of the Program Acquisition Specialist:
  • Advise Program and Project Managers on acquisition strategies, schedules, contracting, budgeting, and program execution.
  • Develop and coordinate acquisition plans, program schedules, status reports, and executive-level program briefings.
  • Draft and coordinate program planning and execution documentation in accordance with DoDI 5000.02, the DoD Acquisition Framework, Air Force policies, and applicable local unit requirements, including policies related to rapid prototyping.
  • Coordinate and support staff meetings and Technical Interchange Meetings (TIMs) across government and contractor teams.
  • Conduct technical and programmatic assessments of contractor design and milestone reviews, evaluating program progress, risks, issues, and the ability to meet mission requirements.
  • Support program element coordination, staffing, and monitoring throughout program execution.
  • Advise and assist government customers with funding commitments, obligations, expenditures, and overall financial execution.
  • Develop and support the delivery of program funding documentation and monthly financial reports.

Qualifications for the Program Acquisition Specialist:
  • 5+ years of experience in DoD government weapon systems acquisition, program management, and/or contracts management.
  • Bachelor's degree in Business Management or an equivalent business-related discipline.
  • Experience with the DoD Major Capability Acquisition process.
  • Experience with the Joint Capabilities Integration and Development System (JCIDS) process.
  • Experience with the Planning, Programming, Budgeting, and Execution (PPBE) process.
  • Must have an in-scope T5 or SSBI security background investigation, adjudicated for SCI eligibility and enrollment in the Continuous Evaluation program, if applicable.
  • Must be willing to be nominated for access to Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI) and Special Access Programs (SAP) and consent to a Polygraph examination.
  • Highly Preferred:
    • Master's degree in Business Management, Technical Management, Engineering, or a related discipline.
    • Professional certification such as a PMI Project Management Professional (PMP).
    • Experience supporting National Security Space and/or the Space Control mission area.

Compensation for the Program Acquisition Specialist:
  • Salary Range: $160,000 - $175,000 *depending on experience*
  • Comprehensive Benefits: Medical, Dental, Vision, 401k Plan, PTO, Holidays, Sick Leave if required by law

This job opens for applications on 09/28/26. Applications for this job will be accepted for at least 30 days from the posting date.

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About Piper Companies

Piper Companies is a staffing and recruiting firm based in Conshohocken, Pennsylvania. It provides staffing solutions for a variety of industries, including technology, healthcare, and finance. The company was founded in 2011 and has since grown to become a leading provider of staffing services in the Philadelphia area. Piper Companies is committed to providing high-quality service to its clients and candidates, and has a strong focus on building long-term relationships. The company is also known for its corporate social responsibility initiatives, including support for local charities and community organizations.
Learn more about Piper Companies
Size
500 employees
Industry

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