Akima

Program Manager

Akima$140K — $160K *
Aerospace & Defense
8 - 10 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Physical Sciences, Business Administration, or related field.
  • 8–12 years of program management experience in DoD, aerospace, defense, or space operations.
  • Experience managing geographically dispersed operational teams in mission-critical environments.
  • Background in Space Domain Awareness, space surveillance, or electro-optical sensor systems.
  • Strong knowledge of DoD acquisition and lifecycle support processes.
  • Excellent leadership and communication skills with customer engagement experience.
  • Active Top Secret security clearance required, with SCI eligibility or access preferred.

Responsibilities

  • Lead contract performance and ensure accountability for cost, schedule, quality, and customer satisfaction.
  • Manage the execution of 24/7 global deep-space surveillance operations.
  • Ensure mission readiness and operational success across multiple GEODSS sites.
  • Develop program strategies and initiate continuous improvement efforts.
  • Cultivate relationships with U.S. Space Force partners and stakeholders.
  • Oversee operations and maintenance of ground systems and electro-optical telescopes.
  • Manage contract performance, budgets, and support financial forecasting.

Benefits

  • Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance.
  • Life insurance coverage.
  • 401(k) retirement plan options.
  • Paid Time Off (PTO) for full-time and part-time employees.
  • Range of other voluntary benefits available.
Full Job Description
Description

Five Rivers Analytics is looking for a Program Manager to work in Colorado Springs, CO.  To join our team of outstanding professionals, apply today!

The Program Manager will serve as the contractor's primary point of contact and overall leader for the execution of the Ground-Based Electro-Optical Deep Space Surveillance System (GEODSS) Operations & Maintenance (O&M) contract supporting the U.S. Space Force's Space Domain Awareness (SDA) mission. 

This individual will provide strategic leadership and operational oversight for a geographically dispersed workforce responsible for the 24/7 operation, maintenance, logistics, and sustainment of GEODSS sites located in New Mexico, Hawaii, and Diego Garcia. The Program Manager is accountable for ensuring mission readiness, contract compliance, customer satisfaction, financial performance, and successful execution of all contractual requirements while maintaining close collaboration with U.S. Space Force leadership and mission partners. 

Responsibilities

Program Leadership & Execution 

  • Serve as the primary point of accountability for overall contract performance, including cost, schedule, quality, risk, and customer satisfaction. 
  • Lead all aspects of contract execution supporting continuous 24/7/365 global deep-space surveillance operations. 
  • Ensure operational readiness and mission success across all GEODSS operational sites. 
  • Develop and implement program strategies, performance objectives, and continuous improvement initiatives. 
  • Foster strong relationships with Government stakeholders and customer leadership. 

Space Domain Awareness Mission Support 

  • Coordinate with U.S. Space Force Space Operations Command (SpOC), Space Systems Command (SSC), and other mission stakeholders. 
  • Ensure timely and accurate delivery of optical tracking data supporting space object catalog maintenance and orbital awareness. 
  • Support integration of GEODSS capabilities with the broader Space Domain Awareness enterprise, including sensor fusion and command and control (C2) networks. 
  • Ensure mission priorities are met while maintaining high operational availability. 

Operations & Sustainment Management 

  • Provide oversight of operations and maintenance activities for electro-optical telescopes, sensors, and supporting ground systems. 
  • Manage preventive and corrective maintenance programs to maximize equipment reliability and system availability. 
  • Ensure compliance with Technical Orders (TOs), maintenance procedures, calibration standards, cybersecurity requirements, and COMSEC policies. 
  • Oversee logistics planning, supply chain coordination, and equipment lifecycle management. 

Personnel Leadership 

  • Lead and manage geographically dispersed teams operating in remote and secure locations. 
  • Ensure staffing levels, certifications, qualifications, and shift coverage requirements are consistently maintained. 
  • Promote a culture of operational excellence, safety, accountability, and continuous improvement. 
  • Mentor supervisors and technical staff while supporting employee development and retention initiatives. 

Contract & Financial Management 

  • Manage overall contract performance, budgets, funding execution, and financial forecasting. 
  • Monitor program metrics, key performance indicators (KPIs), and service level requirements. 
  • Support Earned Value Management (EVM), program reviews, executive briefings, and customer reporting. 
  • Oversee subcontractor performance and vendor relationships to ensure successful contract execution. 

Compliance & Risk Management 

  • Ensure compliance with DoD, U.S. Space Force, federal regulations, and company policies. 
  • Maintain security requirements for classified environments, including Top Secret/SCI operations where applicable. 
  • Identify operational, technical, staffing, logistics, and supply chain risks and implement mitigation strategies. 
  • Support quality assurance, audits, inspections, and continuous process improvement initiatives. 
Qualifications
  • Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Physical Sciences, Business Administration, or a related discipline. 
  • Minimum of 8–12 years of progressively responsible program management experience supporting DoD, aerospace, defense, or space operations programs. 
  • Demonstrated experience managing large, geographically dispersed operational teams supporting mission-critical environments. 
  • Experience supporting Space Domain Awareness (SDA), space surveillance, electro-optical sensor systems, or ground-based operational systems
  • Strong knowledge of DoD acquisition, sustainment, and lifecycle support processes. 
  • Experience managing complex operations involving maintenance, logistics, and technical support. 
  • Excellent leadership, communication, customer engagement, and organizational skills. 
  • Active Top Secret security clearance required; SCI eligibility or current SCI access preferred

 

 

Preferred Qualifications:

  • Experience supporting U.S. Space Force, Air Force Space Command, Space Systems Command, or Space Operations Command programs. 
  • Knowledge of optical tracking systems, telescope operations, or space surveillance technologies. 
  • Experience managing Operations & Maintenance (O&M) contracts exceeding $25M annually. 
  • Familiarity with Earned Value Management (EVM), risk management frameworks, and continuous process improvement methodologies. 
  • Experience supporting classified operations within high-security government environments. 
  • Project Management Professional (PMP), DAWIA certification, or equivalent program management certification preferred. 

 

Benefits InformationRegular - The company offers a comprehensive benefits program, including medical, dental, vision, life insurance, 401(k) and a range of other voluntary benefits. Paid Time Off (PTO) is offered to regular full-time and part-time employees. Pay Range$140,000 - $160,000 Job ID2026-25847 Work TypeOn-Site

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