Project Manager

Overview

SCCI is currently seeking a Project Manager to join our team! In this position you will work in a newly established R&D department at the intersection of artificial intelligence, machine learning, and immersive AR/VR technology developed for defense and government customers. This role is the operational backbone of the department; owning program execution, OTA and SBIR capture, R&D pipeline investment planning, and customer relationships while shielding the technical team to focus on building. The ideal candidate brings deep familiarity with DoD acquisition frameworks, earned value management, and technical review processes, paired with enough domain fluency in AI/ML and AR/VR to speak credibly with both government customers and internal developers. If you thrive at the convergence of innovation and disciplined execution in a defense R&D environment, we want to hear from you! This position is located in Dahlgren, VA.

SCCI offers a comprehensive and competitive benefits package including Health, Dental, Vision, Life and Disability benefits, 401k with Company Match, time off consisting of 2 weeks of paid vacation, 48 hours of sick/personal leave, and 11 paid Holidays.

Responsibilities:

• Own end-to-end program execution for R&D efforts from award through delivery, ensuring scope, schedule, and budget are managed with discipline and transparency while faithfully executing the technical vision established by department leadership and principal developers
• Develop and maintain program plans, integrated master schedules, and milestone tracking frameworks that keep parallel R&D efforts on track without bureaucratic overhead or interference with the innovation process
• Serve as the primary interface between SCCI's R&D department and government customers, program offices, and contracting authorities - managing expectations, communicating status, and resolving issues proactively
• Shield the technical team from administrative and programmatic overhead, enabling developers and engineers to remain focused on prototype development and innovation
• Coordinate and manage proposal responses for OTA and SBIR/STTR submission owning schedule, compliance, and integration of technical inputs from developers
• Implement and maintain earned value management processes for R&D efforts, providing accurate and timely cost and schedule performance data to internal leadership and government customers
• Interpret EVM metrics to identify emerging cost and schedule risks early, translate findings into actionable management decisions, and communicate variances clearly to stakeholders at all levels
• Plan, coordinate and execute formal technical reviews including Critical Design Reviews, Preliminary Design Reviews, and other program milestones, ensuring all entry and exit criteria are defined, artifacts are prepared, and government stakeholders are engaged effectively
• Maintain working fluency in AI/ML and AR/VR domain concepts sufficient to participate meaningfully in technical reviews, challenge assumptions on behalf of the program, and represent program status credibly to government customers and industry partners
• Manage action item tracking, review artifacts, and follow-on commitments resulting from formal technical reviews, ensuring closure is documented and communicated
• Translate the R&D technical vision and priorities established by department leadership into executable program plans with defined milestones, resource allocations, and delivery commitments
• Maintain visibility across all active and pipeline R&D efforts, identifying schedule conflicts, resource constraints, and sequencing risks before they impact delivery
• Provide department leadership with accurate, timely program status for cost, schedule, and risk to inform strategic decisions
• Maintain a living program risk register across all active R&D efforts, leading regular risk review cadences with technical staff and department leadership to ensure risks are identified early, mitigation strategies are owned and tracked, and residual risks are communicated transparently to customers
• Develop and exercise risk mitigation and contingency plans that protect program commitments without constraining the experimental and iterative nature of R&D work
• Distinguish between program execution risk and technical risk ensuring each is managed by the right person with the right information
• Manage day-to-day relationships with government customers, contracting officers, and OTA consortia on active programs, ensuring SCCI is responsive, compliant, and viewed as a trusted execution partner
• Prepare and deliver program status briefings, contract deliverables, and executive-level communications that are clear, accurate, and appropriately tailored to the audience

Essential Skills and Experience:

• Must be a U.S. Citizen and have an active Secret Security Clearance
• Bachelor of Science (BS) degree in Engineering, Business, Project Management, or a closely related field
• Five (5) - Seven (7) years of demonstrated program management experience in defense or government contracting environments, with a track record of delivering complex, multi-workstream efforts on time and on budget
• Demonstrated experience managing R&D or prototype-focused programs where requirements evolve, deliverables are iterative, and success is measured by demonstrated capability rather than traditional contract deliverables
• Demonstrated experience using structured PM methodologies to manage parallel efforts without imposing process overhead that impedes R&D velocity
• Demonstrated hands-on experience implementing, managing, and reporting EVM on DoD contracts is required; EVMP or equivalent EVM certification is strongly preferred but not required for candidates with a compelling demonstrated track record
• Proficiency with EVM tooling (Deltek Cobra, wInsight, MPM, or equivalent) for performance measurement, forecasting, and reporting
• Demonstrated ability to translate EVM data into clear, actionable management narratives for both internal leadership and government customers
• Demonstrated experience managing programs under DoD acquisition frameworks including OTA agreements, SBIR/STTR contracts, and FAR-based vehicles; OTA experience strongly preferred
• Familiarity with DoD 5000-series acquisition policy, contracting officer relationships, and CDRL management sufficient to navigate program execution
• Demonstrated experience preparing and submitting contract deliverables, status reports, and program documentation in compliance with government requirements and deadlines
• Demonstrated experience managing programs with DoD customers, program offices, or contracting authorities, with an understanding of DoD acquisition culture, review processes, and stakeholder expectations
• Proven ability to build and maintain trusted relationships with DoD CORs, PMs, and contracting officers, communicating bad news early, managing expectations proactively, and sustaining credibility through execution
• Demonstrated experience planning and executing formal DoD technical reviews including CDRs, PDRs, SRRs, and equivalent milestones - managing entry/exit criteria, artifact preparation, action item tracking, and stakeholder coordination
• Working fluency in AI/ML and AR/VR domain concepts sufficient to participate meaningfully in technical reviews and represent program status credibly
• Demonstrated experience maintaining and managing program risk registers on active DoD contracts, including risk identification, mitigation planning, ownership assignment, and status reporting to government customers
• Proven ability to distinguish and manage execution risk independently while effectively escalating and communicating technical risk owned by the development team
• Demonstrated proficiency with integrated master schedule development and maintenance using Microsoft Project, Smartsheet, or equivalent scheduling tools
• Experience managing resource allocation across parallel R&D efforts, identifying conflicts and constraints before they impact delivery commitments
• Proficiency with Atlassian suite (Jira, Confluence) for program tracking, action item management, and cross-functional documentation
• Proficiency with Google Workspace and Microsoft Office suite including Excel, Word, and PowerPoint for reporting, briefing preparation, and contract deliverable production
• Demonstrated use of AI-assisted tools to improve PM efficiency, reporting quality, and decision support
• Experience with EVM-specific tooling (Deltek, wInsight, or equivalent)

Preferred Skills and Experience:

• PMP certification preferred; DAU Program Management certifications preferred
• Active Top Secret Security Clearance
• Master's degree (MS or MBA)

SCCI is committed to providing a comprehensive and competitive benefits package to meet the needs of Employees and their families. EOE of Veterans and Disabilities.