Contingent upon contract award to BAE Systems Space & Mission Systems and subsequent task orders.
Our work is mission focused, helping our Air Force customers solve complex technical problems. You will find an opportunity to tackle challenging projects while knowing that your work is making an impact. Our team is seeking an experienced Program Manager to manage the development of a platform-agnostic software solution to operate in a contested environment. The success of this role is seamless transition of a high-capability autonomous Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance prototype to a sustainable Program of Record.
The Ground Systems & Services (GSS) Strategic Business Unit is responsible for driving business growth in the ground systems development, operations & sustainment, and technical services markets. This business unit focuses on designing, building and integrating ground systems in support of air and space-based assets, providing operational support for mission platforms and instruments and offering scientific and engineering expertise to our customers.
What You'll Do:
- Agile program execution and delivery.
- Implement and manage an Integrated Agile Execution Framework, unifying technical development, program control, and subcontractor performance within a single digital thread.
- Lead the program using the Scaled Agile Framework (SAFe®), managing a staggered execution model
- Manage execution to successfully deliver all milestone software releases.
- Utilize enterprise risk tools to transform risk management into a real-time decision engine.
- Stakeholder engagement.
- Serve as the primary customer point of contact for status, issues, and long-range program planning.
- Lead meetings, including daily stand-ups, weekly tactical syncs, monthly Program Management Reviews, and quarterly PI Planning/Technical Interchange Meetings.
- Leadership and Team Management.
- Manage, coordinate, plan, control and execute to ensure achievement of cost, schedule and performance goals of the program.
- Remove impediments to the technical team to allow them to execute efficiently.
- Foster collaboration across the team, ensuring alignment across technical leads and subcontractor teams.
- Act as a liaison between technical leads, product support specialists, customer, portfolio manager, and individual contributors to resolve issues, drive innovation, and meet program objectives.
- Delegate tasks and decision-making to the appropriate levels of authority.
- Ensure adherence to government and company regulations, policies, and procedures.
- Mentorship and Team Member Development.
- Provide senior-level guidance and mentorship to project engineers and technical leads, fostering their professional growth and leadership development.
- Champion the needs and career aspirations of team members, driving motivation and performance excellence across the workforce.
- Drive Operational Excellence.
- Foster a culture of continuous improvement, proactively identifying opportunities to optimize processes, enhance efficiency, and drive program execution excellence.
- Spearhead initiatives to capture, analyze, and apply lessons learned from program execution, ensuring insights inform and improve current and future program delivery.
- Work with Business Development team to develop strategies for expanding to new customers and new markets.
- Maintain a regular and predictable work schedule.
- Establish and maintain effective working relationships within the department, the Strategic Business Units, Strategic Capabilities Units and the Company. Interact appropriately with others in order to maintain a positive and productive work environment.
- Perform other duties as necessary.
On-Site Work Environment: This position requires regular in-person engagement by working on-site five days each normally scheduled week in the primary work location. Travel and local commute between company campuses and other possible non-company locations may be required.
Working Conditions:
- Work is performed in an office environment, laboratory, cleanroom, or production floor.
Short Term Incentive: Subject to business performance and recommendations of management, this role may be eligible to participate in an incentive compensation plan.
Required Education, Experience, & Skills
- Bachelor's degree in a related field plus 12 or more years related experience.
- Each higher-level degree, i.e., Master's Degree or Ph.D., may substitute for two years of experience. Related technical experience may be considered in lieu of education. Degree must be from a university, college, or school which is accredited by an agency recognized by the US Secretary of Education, US Department of Education.
- A current, active Top Secret security clearance is required with the ability to obtain and maintain a Top Secret/SCI.
- Proficient in leading SAFe® programs and managing DevSecOps pipelines.
- Program management experience with large firm fixed price contracts.
- Demonstrated excellent leadership and interpersonal skills in leading technical teams and new business capture activities.
- Excellent customer and business acumen.
- Excellent communication skills.
- Superb presentation skills with documented presentation experience to decision makers.
- Eligibility for SAP/SAR access.
Pay Information
Full-Time Salary Range: $153377 - $260743
Please note: This range is based on our market pay structures. However, individual salaries are determined by a variety of factors including, but not limited to: business considerations, local market conditions, and internal equity, as well as candidate qualifications, such as skills, education, and experience.
Employee Benefits: At BAE Systems, we support our employees in all aspects of their life, including their health and financial well-being. Regular employees scheduled to work 20+ hours per week are offered: health, dental, and vision insurance; health savings accounts; a 401(k) savings plan; disability coverage; and life and accident insurance. We also have an employee assistance program, a legal plan, and other perks including discounts on things like home, auto, and pet insurance. Our leave programs include paid time off, paid holidays, as well as other types of leave, including paid parental, military, bereavement, and any applicable federal and state sick leave. Employees may participate in the company recognition program to receive monetary or non-monetary recognition awards. Other incentives may be available based on position level and/or job specifics.
About BAE Systems Space & Mission Systems
BAE Systems, Inc. is a defense, aerospace, and security company headquartered in Falls Church, Virginia, with more than 40,000 employees worldwide. We serve, supply, and protect those who protect us. As one of the most geographically diverse international defense companies, we deliver a full range of products and services spanning air, land, maritime, space, and cyber, including advanced electronics, intelligence solutions, and dedicated customer support.
Our culture is performance-driven and values-led, built on curiosity, creativity, and collaboration. Purpose isn't a tagline here. It's what drives us. We're developing breakthrough technologies that defend national security and make a lasting impact on our communities and our planet. When you join BAE Systems, you're not just building a career. You're contributing to a mission that truly matters.
This position will be posted for at least 5 calendar days. The posting will remain active until the position is filled, or a qualified pool of candidates is identified.
Skills Required
- Bachelor's degree in a related field plus 12 or more years related experience (related technical experience may substitute)
- Master's Degree or Ph.D. may substitute for two years of experience
- Current, active Top Secret security clearance required with ability to obtain and maintain Top Secret/SCI
- Proficient in leading SAFe programs and managing DevSecOps pipelines
- Program management experience with large firm fixed price contracts
- Demonstrated leadership and interpersonal skills leading technical teams and new business capture activities
- Excellent customer and business acumen
- Excellent communication skills
- Superb presentation skills with documented presentation experience to decision makers
- Eligibility for SAP/SAR access
BAE Systems, Inc. Compensation & Benefits Highlights
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Healthcare Strength — Medical, dental, and vision coverage is presented as comprehensive, paired with an EAP, fertility and transgender care options, and HSA‑compatible plans that can include employer contributions with coverage starting on day one in some cases. These resources are reinforced by wellness tools and immediate eligibility noted on official benefits materials.
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Retirement Support — A 401(k) savings plan is broadly available, with employer matching and other contributions that vary by business unit, and some U.S. employee groups retain pension arrangements. Company‑paid basic life insurance equal to 2x base salary (up to $1M) further strengthens financial security.
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Parental & Family Support — Paid parental leave (e.g., 160 hours for full‑time employees) sits alongside adoption and surrogacy reimbursement and Bright Horizons backup child and elder care. These benefits help reduce care gaps and complement PTO and applicable state programs.
BAE Systems, Inc. Insights
What We Do
Improving the future and protecting lives is an ambitious mission, but it’s what we do. As a leading aerospace, defense, and security company, we work together to deliver a full range of products and services for air, land, space, and naval forces, as well as advanced electronics, security, information technology solutions and customer support services. How we work is rooted in purpose – a purpose to protect those who protect us, to unite our community of colleagues and customers, and to drive forward the growth and development of our exceptional team members. It's where purpose connects.
Why Work With Us
We believe your career should be filled with innovation and discovery. And that's exactly what you'll find at BAE Systems. As you work to develop the latest technology and defend national security, you will continually hone your skills and expand knowledge. On a sharp and collaborative team, you will be challenged – and supported – at every turn.
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BAE Systems, Inc. Teams
BAE Systems, Inc. Offices
Hybrid Workspace
Employees engage in a combination of remote and on-site work.
As the work place continues to evolve, so do we. Remote and hybrid opportunities are available at BAE Systems depending on the nature of the role. Check your job requisition to learn more.








