OpportunityPeopleTec is currently seeking a Senior Export Program Manager to support our Huntsville, AL location.
The candidate will serve as a Senior Export Program Manager within a Project Management Office (PMO) within PAE Fires and will be responsible for providing technical support to the program's Chief Engineer and the Product Manager. The candidate will lead the strategic planning, execution, and stakeholder coordination for Defense Exportability Features (DEF) projects. As assigned defense programs approach critical acquisition milestones (such as Milestone B), the candidate will orchestrate Phase 1A feasibility studies to assess the costs, technology security requirements, and potential benefits of releasing advanced systems to foreign allies while preserving combat overmatch for U.S. forces. The candidate will also identify, scope, and stand up new DEF studies across the broader project office portfolio. The candidate will prepare and present DEF program management findings, reports, and improvement plans to senior management and stakeholders. Will work within and/or lead a multidisciplinary team to achieve program goals. Perform other tasks as assigned by the Chief Engineer and/or Product Manager.
The candidate will be required to interface with internal PMs across PAE Fires and external organizations to include HQDA, ASA(ALT), OUSD(A&S), NIPO, DASA-DEC, SAF/IA, ATEC, AMCOM, and others for coordination and synchronization of DEF program management technical and programmatic objectives.
Duties:
- Provide technical support and leadership in DEF program management across the system lifecycle (design, development, acquisition, integration, testing, fielding, and sustainment).
- Direct initial DEF feasibility analyses (e.g., Phase 1A studies) and manage the transition into multi-year project lifecycles, ensuring exportability considerations are built into baseline architectures rather than added later.
- Identify opportunities and lead the strategic planning to stand up additional DEF feasibility studies for emerging defense systems, establishing initial scope, timelines, cost-sharing strategies, and funding requirements.
- Serve as the primary liaison between Program Management Offices, prime vendors, Portfolio Acquisition Executives, Implementing Agencies (NIPO, DASA-DEC, SAF/IA), and OUSD(A&S)/IC, and oversee cost-share agreement execution with industry partners.
- Ensure projects adhere to Department of Defense (DoD) Technology Security and Foreign Disclosure (TSFD) requirements, navigating NDP-1, MTCR restrictions, and Tri-Service Committee guidelines.
- Develop and track key performance metrics demonstrating return on investment, including design and unit cost savings from early exportability planning, timeline reductions for export approval, and future international sales projections.
- Oversee the delivery of In-Process Program Reviews (IPRs), Rough Order of Magnitude (ROM) cost estimates, final phase reports, and comprehensive engineering and funding roadmaps for follow-on phases.
- Ensure compliance with defense and industry standards by managing DEF program management processes effectively.
- Interface with internal teams and external organizations to coordinate DEF program management objectives and strategies.
- Prepare and present DEF program management findings, reports, and improvement plans to senior management and stakeholders.
- Conduct strategic planning and coordination to support program objectives.
- Provide technical guidance and leadership to peer and subordinate engineers within the DEF program management team.
- Use digital tools and methodologies to manage cost, schedule, and performance for assigned activities.
- Perform other tasks as assigned by the Chief Engineer and/or Product Manager.
Qualifications
Required Skills/Experience:
- 10+ years of relevant experience. Additional education may be substituted for years of experience.
- Extensive experience in DEF program management, particularly within defense or aerospace industries.
- Deep expertise in Technology Security and Foreign Disclosure (TSFD) policy, Anti-Tamper (AT) executive directives, and Foreign Military Sales (FMS) processes.
- Extensive experience in DoD acquisition program management, specifically navigating Milestone decisions and early development phases.
- Proven ability to manage complex cost-sharing agreements and prime vendor relationships.
- Strong strategic planning and financial analysis skills, including generating ROMs and budget forecasting for follow-on engineering and prototyping phases.
- Strong knowledge of industry standards and defense requirements.
- Excellent communication and presentation skills.
- Ability to lead and work within a multidisciplinary team.
- Previous experience working in a U.S. Government Program Office (required).
- Travel: 25%
- Must be a U.S. Citizen.
- An active DoD clearance: Secret, with the ability to obtain TS/SCI.
Education Requirements:
- Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Business, or a related discipline; advanced degree preferred. DAWIA Program Management certification desired.
