Senior Project Management Specialist

Quest Defense is seeking a Senior Project Management Specialist- Agilist to support our client in establishing and scaling Jira-based project execution across multiple projects, teams, and project types.

This role will work directly with project leaders, technical teams, and business stakeholders to understand how work is currently planned, executed, tracked, and reported, and translate those requirements into practical Jira configurations and standardized project-management workflows.

The successful candidate will combine strong project-management fundamentals with hands-on Jira experience and an understanding of Agile, Scrum, Kanban, and hybrid delivery methods. The objective is not to force every project into a single methodology, but to establish a scalable Jira framework that provides consistency, visibility, accountability, and meaningful project metrics while accommodating different types of work.

This individual will help establish the initial Jira operating model, configure projects and workflows, coach users, develop standards and templates, and support adoption as the capability expands across the organization.

Potential Job Functions

Jira Implementation and Configuration

• Assess existing project-management processes, workflows, tools, and reporting requirements across multiple project types.
• Translate business and project execution requirements into practical Jira configurations.
• Configure Jira projects, boards, workflows, issue types, fields, screens, filters, dashboards, permissions, and notification structures.
• Establish appropriate hierarchies using Epics, Stories, Tasks, Subtasks, milestones, and other work-item structures based on the type of project being managed.
• Develop reusable Jira project templates that can be applied consistently across similar programs and workstreams.
• Establish naming conventions, workflow standards, status definitions, field usage, and other governance needed to support scalable deployment.
• Configure Scrum, Kanban, or hybrid project-management approaches depending on the nature and maturity of each project.
• Identify opportunities to simplify or standardize configurations while avoiding unnecessary customization.

Project Execution Framework

• Work with project leaders to define how scope, schedule, deliverables, dependencies, risks, actions, and decisions should be represented within Jira.
• Establish practical approaches for structuring Epics, Stories, Tasks, and Subtasks.
• Develop standards for acceptance criteria, Definition of Ready, Definition of Done, prioritization, and work-item completion.
• Support sprint planning, backlog refinement, daily management, Kanban flow, milestone tracking, and other execution practices where appropriate.
• Help teams break large or ambiguous work into manageable and measurable increments.
• Establish methods for managing work that does not naturally fit traditional Scrum, including engineering, project-management, operational, data, and business-process activities.
• Develop approaches for managing cross-project dependencies and shared resources.
• Support integration of Jira execution data into program and leadership operating reviews.

Metrics, Dashboards, and Visual Management

• Develop Jira dashboards and reports that provide meaningful visibility into project execution.
• Establish appropriate measures such as:
  • Work completed versus planned. 

Role Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Business, Information Technology, Project Management, or a related discipline, or equivalent relevant experience.
• 5+ years of experience in project management, Agile delivery, Jira implementation/configuration, or a related role.
• Demonstrated hands-on experience configuring Jira projects, workflows, boards, issue types, custom fields, screens, filters, dashboards, and reporting.
• Strong understanding of project-management fundamentals and experience translating project execution needs into practical Jira workflows.
• Working knowledge of Agile principles and delivery frameworks, including Scrum, Kanban, and hybrid approaches.
• Experience structuring work using Epics, Stories, Tasks, Subtasks, acceptance criteria, Definition of Ready, and Definition of Done.
• Ability to assess different project types and determine the appropriate Jira structure and delivery model rather than applying a single methodology to all teams.
• Experience developing reusable Jira templates, workflows, standards, and governance practices across multiple projects or teams.
• Ability to develop meaningful project and execution metrics, dashboards, and visual-management tools within Jira.
• Strong facilitation skills with the ability to lead requirements and process-design sessions with project managers, technical leaders, engineers, and business stakeholders.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to work effectively through evolving and sometimes ambiguous requirements.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including process documentation, user guidance, and stakeholder presentations.
• Ability to coach project teams in effective Jira usage, work decomposition, backlog management, planning, and execution practices.

Preferred Qualifications

• Atlassian Jira Administrator, Jira Project Administrator, or related Atlassian certification.
• Certified ScrumMaster (CSM), Professional Scrum Master (PSM), PMP, PMI-ACP, SAFe, Disciplined Agile, or comparable project/agile certification.
• Experience implementing or scaling Jira across multiple teams, programs, or business functions.
• Experience supporting engineering, energy, manufacturing, aerospace, product-development, or other technically complex project environments.
• Experience with Jira Advanced Roadmaps/Plans and Confluence.
• Experience configuring Jira automation, integrations, APIs, or connections to external reporting and project-management tools.
• Experience establishing Jira governance, configuration standards, and reusable project templates.
• Familiarity with portfolio and program-level planning, integrated schedules, dependencies, milestones, risks, actions, and executive reporting.
• Experience supporting organizational change, process transformation, and user adoption.
• Familiarity with SAFe, Lean, Disciplined Agile, or other scaled/hybrid delivery approaches.
• Experience in adoption and/or integration of emerging technologies (e.g., generative AI, automation platforms, digital assistants) into day-to-day operations for continuous improvement.

The physical demands described above are representative of those required to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

The QDSS Advantage

At Quest Defense, our advantage is purpose-driven work, collaborative teams, and complex challenges that push boundaries and create lasting impact. You will have the opportunity to grow your career while contributing to safety- and mission-critical programs that demand excellence and help shape the future of aerospace and defense.

What You’ll Find Here

• Work That Matters – Contribute to next-generation and mission-critical aerospace programs where your work has real-world impact.
• Growth That’s Supported – Competitive compensation, employer-matched 401(k), professional-development assistance, and opportunities for continued career growth.
• A Culture That Works – A collaborative, people-focused environment that values teamwork, innovation, accountability, and work-life balance.

Benefits

Competitive compensation and a comprehensive benefits package that may include medical, dental, life and disability coverage, 401(k) with employer match, and professional-development support, subject to applicable Quest Defense benefit plans and eligibility requirements.