Chimera Enterprises International

Runs defense research and technical services

Program Manager

Program ManagementConfirmed live in the last 24 hours

Full-timeArlington County, Arlington, VA, USA$125k - $165k /yrIn-person

About the Job

Requirements

A bachelor's degree in business, management, engineering, or a related field is required.
At least 6 years of experience planning, directing, and coordinating operations in public- or private-sector organizations is required.
Demonstrated experience developing, implementing, and executing plans for overall contract management, including contract administration, security, training, and quality assurance, is required.
At least 3 years in a supervisory role supporting major research and development efforts for defense or national security organizations is required.
Proven experience providing regulatory compliance oversight and approval of contract-related expenses is required.
An active Top Secret clearance is required.
Program and portfolio management experience in a defense or research and development environment is required.
Proficiency with Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Project) and collaboration tools is required.
Strong leadership, workforce management, and stakeholder engagement capabilities are required.
Excellent communication, briefing, and technical writing skills are required.

Responsibilities

Lead contractor support to a high-visibility defense research and development portfolio.
Oversee day-to-day execution of financial, administrative, acquisition, and technical support activities.
Manage a multidisciplinary team, ensure performance meets quality standards, and serve as a primary interface to senior Government leadership.
Help senior leadership execute strategic plans and priorities by translating broad guidance into coordinated actions across the team.
Ensure business and financial management support is delivered effectively, including planning, executing, and tracking front-office and program budgets.
Ensure financial products and reports are accurate, timely, and decision-ready.
Direct front-office administrative support, including taskings, calendars, meetings, events, travel coordination, and records, and ensure daily operations run smoothly and professionally.
Oversee acquisition-related support across the full lifecycle of program actions, coordinating and maintaining solicitation materials, documentation, and communication with contracting and legal stakeholders on schedule.
Coordinate support for research and development transition activities with senior technical and analytical staff, including stakeholder engagement, formal agreement documentation, transition analysis, and associated communication products.
Manage workforce stability, coverage, backfill planning, and continuity across the contract, including performance and availability of key personnel.
Ensure key positions are staffed on time and manage changes carefully to avoid mission disruption.
Participate in formal reviews and governance meetings with Government counterparts, address issues or concerns promptly and professionally, and identify opportunities to enhance service quality and customer satisfaction.

Desired Qualifications

SCI eligibility is preferred.
Experience leading contractor support to DARPA or similar advanced research organizations is preferred.
A background working with financial management, acquisition, and technical teams on integrated support contracts is preferred.
Prior experience serving as key personnel on Federal advisory and assistance (A&AS) or SETA contracts is preferred.

Job Summary

We are seeking a Senior Program Manager to lead contractor support to a high‑visibility defense research and development portfolio. This position oversees the day‑to‑day execution of a complex mix of financial, administrative, acquisition, and technical support activities. As a designated Key Person, you will manage a multidisciplinary team, ensure performance meets demanding quality standards, and serve as a primary interface to senior Government leadership.

Key Responsibilities

The Senior Program Manager provides overall leadership and direction for all contractor activities supporting the customer’s office. In this role, you will help senior leadership execute strategic plans and priorities, translating broad guidance into coordinated actions across your team. You will ensure that business and financial management support—such as planning, executing, and tracking front‑office and program budgets—is effectively delivered, and that financial products and reports are accurate, timely, and decision‑ready.

You will direct administrative support to the front office, including management of taskings, calendars, meetings, events, travel coordination, and records, and you will make sure that day‑to‑day operations run smoothly and professionally. You will oversee acquisition‑related support across the full lifecycle of program actions, ensuring that solicitation materials, documentation, and communication with contracting and legal stakeholders are coordinated and maintained on schedule. In partnership with senior technical and analytical staff, you will coordinate support for research and development transition activities, including stakeholder engagement, formal agreement documentation, transition analysis, and associated communication products.

A major focus of the role is personnel leadership. You will manage workforce stability, coverage, backfill planning, and continuity across the contract, with particular attention to the performance and availability of key personnel. You will be responsible for ensuring that key positions are staffed on time and that any changes are carefully managed to avoid mission disruption. You will also participate in formal reviews and governance meetings with Government counterparts, address issues or concerns promptly and professionally, and continuously look for opportunities to enhance service quality and customer satisfaction.

Qualifications and Requirements

Education:
- Bachelor’s degree in business, management, engineering, or a related field.
Experience:
- Minimum 6 years of experience planning, directing, and coordinating operations in public or private sector organizations.
- Demonstrated experience developing, implementing, and executing plans for overall contract management, including contract administration, security, training, and quality assurance.
- At least 3 years in a supervisory role supporting major research and development efforts for defense or national security organizations.
- Proven experience providing regulatory compliance oversight and approval of contract‑related expenses.
Security Clearance:
- Active Top Secret (TS) clearance required; SCI eligibility preferred.
Key Skills:
- Program and portfolio management in a defense or R&D environment.
- Strong leadership, workforce management, and stakeholder engagement capabilities.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Project) and collaboration tools.
- Excellent communication, briefing, and technical writing skills.

Preferred Qualifications

Experience leading contractor support to DARPA or similar advanced research organizations.
Background working with financial management, acquisition, and technical teams on integrated support contracts.
Prior experience serving as key personnel on Federal advisory and assistance (A&AS) or SETA contracts.

About the Company

Chimera Enterprises International

Runs defense research and technical services

Chimera Enterprises International conducts research and technical work for U.S. federal agencies, focusing on chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear and explosive threats. Its teams turn intelligence and technical analysis into operational plans, equipment support and practical guidance for government missions. The business also handles program budgets, business processes and the computer networks that support agency operations. Customers engage Chimera through government service contracts for work in the United States and overseas, including support for military and national security missions. Founded in 2006, the company is headquartered in Edgewood, Maryland.

Company size: 51-200
Company stage: Not listed
Total funding: Not listed
Headquarters: Edgewood, MD
Founded: 2006

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