Applied Research Associates, Inc. (ARA), Southwest Division (SWD) is seeking a Principal Program Manager to capture and grow new business with the U.S. Space Force. In this role, you will be focused on capturing, executing, and growing new business with Space Systems Command (SSC) and the Space Training and Readiness Command (STARCOM) related to national space test and training solutions.

We’re looking for a passionate, self-directed individual with a strong technical and program leadership background to capture and lead the execution of new USSF programs related to training solutions, modeling and simulation, and threat replication. You must be someone who appreciates the autonomy to be responsible for the management and execution of the full business-development life-cycle process across multiple, simultaneous pursuits and proposals.

You will be a valued member of a team of passionate, service-focused professionals who are committed to ARA’s core values of Passion, Freedom, Service, and Growth. You will be based in Colorado Springs, CO, and will start in a telework role followed by transition to an in-person ARA office located in Colorado Springs. As ARA’s USSF footprint expands, you will be an integral part of a newly developed SWD branch focused on space solutions.

What you’ll do as a USSF Principal Program Manager

• Provide input into SWD’s long-range business planning and develop a detailed associated marketing strategy specific to USSF marketing targets related to national space test and training.
• Provide technical guidance for capture strategy related to the USSF test and training mission areas, with a focus on training solutions, modeling and simulation and threat replication for space, ground, and link operations.
• Develop a pipeline of USSF marketing opportunities and develop and execute capture plans for these opportunities.
• Assess and interpret USSF market intel (directly from customers and indirectly from publications, trade shows, and other sources) and share intel with SWD leadership and ARA’s USSF Customer Portfolio Manager (CPM) to shape business development strategy.
• Develop and maintain business relationships with USSF program managers, PMs, and senior leadership as well as key industrial partners to support marketing targets.
• Collaborate with ARA subject matter experts to develop value propositions to customers.
• Provide broad technical oversight to new USSF projects, with a focus on expanding current ARA technologies as well as developing new technologies and solutions to meet mission needs.
• Coordinate with SWD leadership to develop a hiring strategy to bring in new talent to support and execute USSF projects.

USSF Principal Program Manager Requirements

• US Citizen with active (or recent) DoD TS-SCI security clearance.
• Bachelor of Science degree in engineering, physics, mathematics, or other hard science.
• 12+ years minimum demonstrated work experience with USSF or USAF running major programs.
• Broad technical engineering/ science capabilities.
• Technical leadership experience.
• Project management experience.
• Experience that demonstrates highly effective interpersonal skills with technical staff and business executives within the company, as well as with customer and partners.
• Ability to perform highly effective work both independently and within a team environment.
• Previous active or reserve duty in USSF at senior leader level

USSF Principal Program Manager Preferences

• Advanced degree preferred.

Experience

• 12 year(s): Relevant work experience

Education

• Bachelors or better in Engineering or related field

Behaviors

• Innovative: Consistently introduces new ideas and demonstrates original thinking
• Leader: Inspires teammates to follow them
• Functional Expert: Considered a thought leader on a subject
• Detail Oriented: Capable of carrying out a given task with all details necessary to get the task done well
• Dedicated: Devoted to a task or purpose with loyalty or integrity

Motivations

• Self-Starter: Inspired to perform without outside help
• Goal Completion: Inspired to perform well by the completion of tasks
• Entrepreneurial Spirit: Inspired to perform well by an ability to drive new ventures within the business
• Ability to Make an Impact: Inspired to perform well by the ability to contribute to the success of a project or the organization

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities

The contractor will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor’s legal duty to furnish information. 41 CFR 60-1.35(c)