Location: Rosslyn, VA (On-Site)
Position Summary
Hanwha Defense USA is seeking an experienced Program Manager to lead the capture and execution of U.S. Navy shipbuilding programs. This role is responsible for managing programs from proposal development through contract execution, delivery, and sustainment. The ideal candidate combines strong operational leadership with deep familiarity across naval acquisition, ship construction, government contracting, and industrial execution.
The Program Manager will serve as the primary interface with customers, internal leadership, suppliers, and industry partners while ensuring cost, schedule, technical, and contractual performance objectives are achieved.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead execution of Navy shipbuilding programs across the full program lifecycle, including capture, proposal, contract award, execution, delivery, and post-delivery support.
- Serve as the primary programmatic point of contact for government customers, teammates, shipyards, and subcontractors.
- Develop and maintain integrated program plans, schedules, budgets, risk registers, and execution strategies.
- Lead or support capture activities for new business opportunities, including customer engagement, teaming strategy, proposal development, pricing support, and Basis of Estimate development.
- Support development of technical and management volumes for competitive proposals, including compliance with RFP requirements and evaluation criteria.
- Coordinate cross-functional teams including engineering, operations, planning, contracts, supply chain, quality, production, and finance.
- Manage contract execution in accordance with customer requirements, company policies, and applicable federal acquisition regulations.
- Monitor program performance against cost, schedule, technical, and quality objectives and implement corrective actions as required.
- Lead customer reviews, program management reviews, technical interchange meetings, and executive status briefings.
- Oversee subcontractor and supplier performance, including coordination with key industrial partners and shipyards.
- Identify and manage program risks and opportunities across technical, industrial base, schedule, and contractual areas.
- Ensure compliance with applicable Navy, DoD, and regulatory requirements, including security and export control obligations.
- Support strategic planning and business growth initiatives related to naval and maritime programs.
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Naval Architecture, Business, or related field.
- 10+ years of relevant experience, including 2+ years managing Navy, maritime, defense, or government shipbuilding programs.
- Demonstrated experience leading or supporting capture and proposal efforts for U.S. government opportunities.
- Strong understanding of Navy acquisition processes, shipbuilding execution, and defense contracting environments.
- Familiarity with government contract types including CPFF, FFP, FPIF, OTA, and other DoD contracting structures.
- Experience managing cost, schedule, and technical performance within complex industrial or defense programs.
- Strong understanding of integrated master scheduling, risk management, EVMS principles, and program controls.
- Experience interfacing directly with Navy customers, SUPSHIP, NAVSEA, MSC, or other government stakeholders.
- Ability to lead cross-functional teams in fast-paced and highly regulated environments.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including executive-level briefing capability.
- U.S. citizenship required.
- Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. security clearance.
Preferred Qualifications
- Master's degree in Engineering, Business, or related discipline.
- PMP certification or equivalent program management certification.
- Prior experience within a shipyard, defense prime contractor, or maritime industrial organization.
- Familiarity with Navy ship specifications, work item development, test and trials processes, and waterfront execution.
- Experience with shipbuilding planning, construction sequencing, production engineering, or design integration.
- Knowledge of DFARS, ITAR, EAR, CMMC, and other defense regulatory frameworks.
- Experience with autonomous maritime systems, unmanned surface vessels, or emerging naval technologies.
- Active U.S. security clearance preferred.
Desired Characteristics
- Strong ownership mindset with the ability to drive execution across complex organizations.
- Comfortable operating in both strategic and tactical environments.
- Capable of balancing customer engagement, operational execution, and business growth priorities.
- Collaborative leader with strong relationship management skills across government and industry stakeholders.
- Ability to manage ambiguity and execute effectively in evolving program environments.
Work Environment
- Office and shipyard environment.
- Limited travel required.
