Program Director - Maritime

Company Overview

We are a world-class team of professionals who deliver next generation technology and products in robotic and autonomous platforms, ground, soldier, and maritime systems in 50+ locations world-wide. Much of our work contributes to innovative research in the fields of sensor science, signal processing, data fusion, artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML), and augmented reality (AR).

QinetiQ US’s dedicated experts in defense, aerospace, security, and related fields all work together to explore new ways of protecting the American Warfighter, Security Forces, and Allies. Being a part of QinetiQ US means being central to the safety and security of the world around us. Partnering with our customers, we help save lives; reduce risks to society; and maintain the global infrastructure on which we all depend.

Why Join QinetiQ US?

If you have the courage to take on a wide variety of complex challenges, then you will experience a unique working environment where innovative teams blend different perspectives, disciplines, and technologies to discover new ways of solving complex problems.  In our diverse and inclusive environment, you can be authentic, feel valued, be respected, and realize your full potential. QinetiQ US will support you with workplace flexibility, a commitment to the health and well-being of you and your family and provide opportunities to work with a purpose. We are committed to supporting your success in both your professional and personal lives.

Position Overview

QinetiQ US is looking to hire an experienced Program Director to oversee a portfolio of Maritime programs in Franklin, MA. This will be a hybrid position requiring regular time on-site. The Director will be responsible for making significant improvements of processes, systems or products to enhance performance of programs within the portfolio. The Program Manager will lead Program Managers in the end‑to‑end execution of defense production programs, with a strong focus on material sourcing, supply chain management, and compliance with government acquisition regulations. The role ensures that all material and production programs within the portfolio meet technical, schedule, and cost objectives while maintaining adherence to contract specifications and performance requirements.

Responsibilities

• Program Oversight: Ensure all programs perform in compliance with defined scope, objectives, and deliverables for multi phase defense production programs. Lead internal program reviews to discuss technical, cost and schedule activities. Validate internal EAC performance against plan.
• Collaborate with program managers to identify and mitigate risks to the EAC, and capture growth opportunities.
• Leadership & Influence: Must be able to lead through influence of other teams/functions. Hire, supervise, and mentor program managers and staff. Ensure program workforce and staffing plans are current. Work with functional managers to ensure the availability of human capital necessary to execute program requirements. Work closely with the Business Development, Engineering, Operations, and Finance departments to support proposal efforts, contract negotiation and award.
• Strategic Program Planning and Execution: Lead development and implementation of program strategies and objectives to improve on-contract performance and increase revenue.
• Contract compliance and quality assurance: Ensure all programs are executed in compliance with contractual requirements. Ensure all program managers follow contractual requirements.
• Stakeholder coordination: Collaborate with government and/or Prime contractor executives, internal teams, and suppliers to ensure program performance issues are identified early for quick resolution.
• Risk, Issue, Opportunity and Change Management: Ensure programs comply with contractual and corporate risk, issue, and opportunity requirements. Ensure strong adherence to baseline management requirements. Ensure program members are trained to comply with written policies. Apply change, risk, and resource management principles.
• Reporting and documentation: Prepare detailed progress reports, maintain documentation, and ensure compliance with defense requirements for programs within the portfolio.
• Governance and performance tracking: Establish governance frameworks, track benefits, and report to senior leadership.
• Program Management: Validate program plans including the development of Work Breakdown Structure (WBS) and Integrated Master Schedule (IMS) for management of scope to ensure alignment with contract requirements, budgets, and internal commitments. Monitor and assess program performance against plan (schedule and financial), identify risk and scope changes, develop and implement corrective action when necessary to initiate program changes. Understand the role and responsibility of each program team member, and through expert communication and leadership skills, establish a common understanding among team members on scope, schedule, and financial objectives.
• Material Program Management: Develop and maintain an overarching portfolio level Material Program Plan (MPP) in coordination with quality, scheduling, and supply chain teams to deliver efficiency and cost reductions.
• Supplier & Sourcing Management: Support the evaluation and monitoring of supplier quality, reliability, and delivery capability. Engage to reduce program execution risk.
• Production Execution: Support cross-program collaboration of internal resources, subcontractors, and vendors to ensure on time, in scope, and within budget delivery.
• Compliance & Risk Management: Ensure adherence to federal acquisition regulations (FAR, DFARS), ITAR, and defense security protocols; identify and mitigate risks.
• Quality & Process Improvement: Apply Lean, Six Sigma, and process excellence methods to improve production efficiency and reduce waste.
• Analysis and Decision-Making:  Proven track record of managing programs with challenging technical, schedule, and cost requirements as well as complex customer and subcontractor relationships.
• Ability to demonstrate accountability in action

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, Business, Science, Mathematics, or related field.
• 10+ years of Project/Program lead experience with defense customers.
• Certifications: PMP, EVMS, CAM, CSCP, APICS, or equivalent.
• Knowledge: Government acquisition regulations (FAR, DFARS, ITAR); Risk management and cost control techniques; supplier quality and delivery evaluation; Deltek CostPoint or similar MRP/ERP software systems, Jira, Windchill, etc.; Project design, development, test, installation, and/or repair of hardware; Quality assurance, production, and supply chain processes.
• Strong leadership, negotiation, and cross-functional communication skills.
• Strong ability to lead through influence.
• Possess excellent people skills – demonstrated experience leading a team of technical personnel from different functions and foster collaboration and excel at conflict resolution.
• Strong customer management skills - must be capable of managing a customer to assure the customer’s needs are met without incurring scope growth.
• Strong written and verbal communication and presentation skills. Must be able to communicate clearly and effectively to promote collaboration among the program team.
• Excellent computer skills with a strong proficiency in Windows platform, Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Visio), Microsoft Project, etc.
• Hybrid office/remote from Lorton, VA or Franklin, MA area.
• Must be willing and able to travel up to 25%.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree in engineering, Business, Science, Mathematics, or related field.
• 5+ years of experience in production management.
• 5+ years of experience in material program management.

Pay Transparency

The salary range for this role is $175,000 - $240,000 USD. The salary range provided is a good faith estimate representative of all experience levels. QinetiQ US considers several factors when extending an offer, including but not limited to, the role, function and associated responsibilities, a candidate’s work experience, location, education/training, and key skills.

Company EEO Statement

Accessibility/Accommodation:

If because of a medical condition or disability you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the employment process, please send an e-mail to [email protected] or call (540) 658-2720 Opt. 1 and let us know the nature of your request and contact information.

QinetiQ US is an Equal Opportunity employer. All Qualified Applicants will receive equal consideration for employment without regard to race, age, color, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or protected Veteran status.