BAE Systems is hiring a Program Manager III for our Combat Mission Systems (CMS) business in Louisville, KY. The program manager will be responsible for managing and delivering on our commitments in our Propulsor portfolio and is directly responsible for profit and loss on the highly complex programs. Provide a competitive advantage to the company by managing all the program's defined scope on schedule, within budget, and at the expected level of quality. This role primarily manages contracts and new business with existing customers. The role reports directly to the Director for Submarine Programs.
Location/Schedule/Travel:
- This role is onsite in Louisville, KY
- The workday will begin around 7:00AM
- The role works on a 9/80 schedule where you will have every other Friday off
- There may be up to 10% domestic travel
The program manager is accountable for the following:
- Managing program execution to predictably achieve cost/profitability, schedule, and technical performance objectives
- Meeting financial commitments for orders, sales, profit, and cash flow
- Preparing and presenting program management reviews (PMRs) with information tailored to the appropriate level
- Establishing program direction for the matrixed team (operations including supply chain and manufacturing, engineering, and/or others)
- Monitoring and controlling activities on current contracts including disciplined, effective change management
- Implementing appropriate actions to resolve issues, manage risks, and realize opportunities
- Primary point of contact for providing clear, accurate, and timely communication to internal and external stakeholders
- Pursuing and capturing new business in the submarine product area
- Developing proposals and program plans that address the lifecycle of products from capture through execution
Responsibilities and day-to-day activities within this role include the following:
- Responsible for on-time completion of deliverables
- Ensuring that the production team successfully manages material for manufacturing hardware including final processing, shipment/delivery coordination, and quality reviews
- Partners with project controls to develop and maintain the Integrated Master Schedule (IMS), and manages the program team's performance to the IMS
- Develops, creates, and reports on key program metrics including on-time delivery, material forecasts, hardware production and delivery forecasts, resource allocation, and performance to labor and material budgets
- Identifies and assesses performance gaps to customer expectations or program objectives, develops and initiates improvement plans to close the gaps, and utilizes metrics to verify performance to plan
- Supports recurring status meetings with the program team and customer and program review meetings with business and customer leadership
- Hosts customer meetings at the Louisville factory, coordinates visits with export and security functions
- Presents new business opportunities to leadership and leads capture activities including proposal development
Required Education, Experience, & Skills
- Active Secret Clearance or the ability to obtain a Secret Clearance
- Bachelor's Degree and 12 years of work experience or equivalent experience
- Strong customer focus and relationship building skills
- Strong communication skills with internal and external stakeholders
- Experience in Defense programs
- Experience in Program/Project Management
- Experience in Scope Management
- Experience in Team/Cross-functional Leadership
- Experience in Manufacturing/Production
- Experience in Stakeholder Management/Influencing
- Knowledge of project management methodologies, toolsets, process, and governance
- Knowledge of program scope management and cost estimating, including estimate to complete/estimate at completion (ETC/EAC) processes
- Ability to develop and implement effective program/project plans specifying goals, staffing, scheduling, identification of risks, contingency plans, and allocation of available resources
- Ability to initiate, prioritize, and coordinate multiple tasks simultaneously
- Ability to achieve program objectives using a team-based approach that demonstrates the value of each team member
- Ability to effectively manage program complexities and structuring activities in times of ambiguity
- Ability to operate independently and proactively
Preferred Education, Experience, & Skills
- MBA or Master's degree
- Professional Certifications (PMP)
- Experience in Defense (DoD)/Government Contracting
- Experience in a Firm Fixed Price Environment
- Experience in Control Account Management (CAM)
- Experience in Earned Value Management (EVM)
- Experience in Engineering/Technology
- Experience in Operational Excellence (OE)
- Experience in Lifecycle Management (LCM)
- Experience in Oracle or ERP
- Advanced Excel skills
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 Platforms & Services
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
- Active Secret Clearance or the ability to obtain a Secret Clearance
- Bachelor's Degree and 12 years of work experience or equivalent experience
- Strong customer focus and relationship building skills
- Strong communication skills with internal and external stakeholders
- Experience in Defense programs
- Experience in Program/Project Management
- Experience in Scope Management
- Experience in Team/Cross-functional Leadership
- Experience in Manufacturing/Production
- Experience in Stakeholder Management/Influencing
- Knowledge of project management methodologies, toolsets, process, and governance
- Knowledge of program scope management and cost estimating, including estimate to complete/estimate at completion (ETC/EAC) processes
- Ability to develop and implement effective program/project plans specifying goals, staffing, scheduling, identification of risks, contingency plans, and allocation of available resources
- Ability to initiate, prioritize, and coordinate multiple tasks simultaneously
- Ability to achieve program objectives using a team-based approach that demonstrates the value of each team member
- Ability to effectively manage program complexities and structuring activities in times of ambiguity
- Ability to operate independently and proactively
- MBA or Master's degree
- Professional Certifications (PMP)
- Experience in Defense (DoD)/Government Contracting
- Experience in a Firm Fixed Price Environment
- Experience in Control Account Management (CAM)
- Experience in Earned Value Management (EVM)
- Experience in Engineering/Technology
- Experience in Operational Excellence (OE)
- Experience in Lifecycle Management (LCM)
- Experience in Oracle or ERP
- Advanced Excel skills
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
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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.








