Program Manager I

Job Description
BAE Systems is seeking a strategic and experienced Director I-Program to manage, coordinate, and execute a complex collection of USAF sustainment projects. This role is responsible for the overarching achievement of financial, schedule, technical, and new business performance objectives. The Director will integrate operational execution with the organization's technical roadmap and long-term business strategy, providing senior leadership to ensure the successful delivery of legacy USAF avionics and electronic warfare (EW) systems.
Primary Duties and Responsibilities
Program Governance & Strategic Execution
The Director is accountable for the comprehensive planning, organization, and control of a collection of projects, ensuring that all financial, schedule, and technical objectives are met with precision. By establishing and overseeing rigorous management frameworks, the Director promotes operational excellence and efficiency in readiness and sustainment while modeling and demonstrating exemplary leadership in ethics, safety, and security across all managed programs.
Strategic Leadership & Business Alignment
This role defines program objectives that are strictly aligned with customer requirements and BAE Systems' Integrated Business Plan (IBP), ensuring that program execution supports the broader strategic technology roadmap. The Director plays a critical role in the development of company financial plans and contributes high-level strategic insight to ensure the long-term organizational viability of the I&S sector.
Customer Engagement & External Liaison
Serving as a prime external spokesperson and high-level contact for the organization, the Director interacts frequently with senior-level customer representatives and management to resolve contractual clarifications and operational decisions. Through the leadership of critical briefings and meetings for internal and external stakeholders, the Director influences and shapes customer requirements to ensure that delivered solutions are innovative and strategically positioned for future growth.
Business Development & Growth
The Director directs capture teams to position the business for strategic wins and the expansion of the customer base. This includes leading the development of robust business cases and the submission of competitive, innovative proposals, while proactively identifying and executing opportunities to meet new business performance and growth targets.
Operational & Resource Management
The Director oversees program scope, budget, and critical path scheduling to ensure that all technical investments are financially sound and that prototype fabrication, testing, and qualification are completed on time. This role carries direct people-management responsibility, focusing on the optimization of program resources and the cultivation of the technical competencies necessary to execute complex solutions.
Continuous Improvement & Policy Development
By establishing and sharing best practices and lessons learned, the Director continuously improves people, processes, and products to foster a culture of excellence. Furthermore, the Director develops and implements operational programs and processes that serve as the organizational precedent for future decision-making and strategic implementation.
Required Education, Experience, & Skills

• Education: Bachelor's Degree in a technical or business field.
• Experience: 10+ years of demonstrated experience leading diverse, multi-discipline project teams in a high-tempo environment.
• Leadership: Proven experience in direct people management and leading large-scale, complex collections of projects.
• Project Management: Expert-level proficiency in program planning, risk and opportunity management, and Earned Value Management (EVM).
• Contractual Knowledge: Deep experience with DoD contract execution, specifically within IDIQ/Task Order environments.
• Technical Background: Experience with technical product sustainment (hardware, software, and systems) and reverse engineering/prototyping.
• Interpersonal Skills: Exceptional presentation and communication skills, with the ability to lead high-stakes briefings for senior executive and government leadership.
• Tools: Proficiency with Microsoft Office tools, specifically high-level experience with Excel and MS Project.
• Clearance: Active Secret security clearance is required.

Preferred Education, Experience, & Skills

• Certification: Project Management Professional (PMP) certification.
• Financial Systems: Experience with Deltek Costpoint.
• Process Improvement: Lean Six-Sigma or general process improvement experience.
• Domain Expertise: Familiarity with avionics and EW systems, and DoD acquisition.
• Quality Standards: Understanding of AS9145 quality management processes.
• Customer Experience: Prior experience working with government customers such as AFSC and PAE Electronic Systems.

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 Intelligence & Security
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.