Associate Director, Program Management {A} with Security Clearance

Position Overview (Summary/Objective): The Associate Director, Program Management's role is to successfully capture and lead new space-based product development programs from initial concept to production
This Associate Director role will be responsible for a growing program portfolio of space based SDR's (software defined radios) and other products serving military, intelligence, civil and commercial customers
The Associate Director is empowered to drive execution to deliver the programs on-time, on-budget and meeting 100% technical requirements
Additionally, the Associate Director responsibility is to maintain positive customer relationships that yield future business after current programs are completed
This is a leadership position within a quickly growing company that is excited about our mission of connecting the universe
This position will be based in Colorado Springs, CO.
• Lead development projects
The ultimate objective for this position is to successfully lead a technical team in a fast-paced environment from inception to production
The Associate Director, Program Management will utilize effective communication, problem resolution, technical decision making, and other project management skills to accomplish the objectives
Success criteria for this position will be development of a collaborative working relationship with the technical team and successful completion of the assigned product development and production projects by meeting all customer expectations, product technical performance, deliverable milestones on schedule and budget.
* Manage external customer expectations, communications, negotiations, and scope creep
The primary goal of the Associate Director, Program Management will be to successfully build and manage external customer relationships, communications, and expectations to reduce risk to the company utilizing effective communication and contract negotiation skills
A key skill for the Associate Director, Program Management will be their ability to identify scope creep and raise engineering change requests to eliminate NRE cost overruns and/or schedule delays.
* Resolve problems both internal and with the customer for both technical and commercial issues
The successful Associate Director, Program Management will leverage their problem resolution skills, communication skills, project management skills, and experience to resolve both technical and commercial issues with both internal and external customers in a timely and calm manner
Success criteria for this position will be resolving problems in a timely manner with positive concurrence from both sides.
* Lead product development technical, production, and commercial proposal activities
The successful Associate Director, Program Management will lead proposal efforts as capture manager
Proposal generation includes NRE and recurring cost analyses, schedule estimation, contract review/negotiations, and compliance matrix generation
Success criteria for this position will be submitting the completed thorough proposal on schedule meeting all customer RFP expectations.
* Effectively communicate, verbally and in writing, with engineering, operations, upper management and external stakeholders
The Associate Director, Program Management will effectively communicate with both internal and external stakeholders providing clear direction, planning, clarification, guidance, decisions, status, and issue resolution.
* PM Performance metrics include (1) On-Time Delivery (2) Meeting the Profit Target and (3) Customer Satisfaction Surveys.
* Proficient in utilizing Standard PMP tools/docs such Risk registers, Gantt Charts, Resource & Responsibility matrices, SOW's, Requirements, Charters, Budget/Spend Management, and Materials Management.
Required Qualifications:
• Bachelor's degree or higher in an engineering discipline (ME, EE, AE or CS)
* 15+ years of demonstrated experience as a Program Manager (Managing multiple external customer projects)
* 3+ years of experience as a practicing engineer in industry
* Experience working with hardware (mechanical & electrical) and software
Preferred Qualifications:
• Scrum or agile hardware development
* PMP or PGPM certification
* MBA
* Space or Aerospace background is a plus
* Experience using Microsoft Project
* Experience using Jira and Confluence
* Top Secret Security Clearance
* Experience in small company, start-up, or growth transition environment
Pay Range: $180,000 - $220,000 Your actual level and base salary will be determined on a case-by-case basis and may vary based on the following considerations: job-related knowledge and skills, education, and experience
The application window will close in 40 days Location: This position is based out of ARKA's Colorado Springs, CO campus
If you like city life, but also enjoy the great outdoors, Colorado Springs is the place for you
The city rests at the base of Pikes Peak
The 14,115-foot summit is just one of dozens of area attractions, including scenic trains, museums, parks, a zoo and more
With a mild climate and plenty of sunshine, the Springs boasts some of the state's best recreation opportunities
The city is also known for its robust high-tech and sports industries
We are home to the U.S
Air Force Academy and four military bases and with the Olympic Training Center and dozens of sports federations nearby, it's common to spot world-class athletes around town
What We Offer:
• Comprehensive medical/vision/dental insurance packages
* Company contributions to qualified HSA accounts
* 401k retirement plan with industry leading company contributions
* 3 weeks of vacation accrual per year plus time off for sick leave and unscheduled life events
* 13 paid holidays
* Continuing education benefit up to $25k/year for approved programs
* Annual bonus program based on company and employee performance
* Company paid life insurance, AD&D, Short-Term and Long-Term disability insurance
* 4 weeks paid Parental Leave
* Employee assistance program (EAP)
EHS/Environmental Requirements: This job operates in a professional office environment
While performing the duties of this job, the employee routinely is required to use hands to keyboard, communicate, listen to, and interpret instructions and remain stationary for extended periods of the time
This would require the ability to move around the campus and occasionally move/lift items weighing up to 40 lbs
Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job
Applicants are invited to apply for a reasonable accommodation to perform the essential duties of the job
To apply, send a request to or contact and press 2 for Human Resources
ITC & Security Clearance Requirements: This position requires the ability to obtain and maintain a US Government Security Clearance
The form contained in this link will provide insight into the information the government requests as part of the clearance process
Restrictions: No visa sponsorship is available for this position
Employment with any of the ARKA Group companies in the US is contingent upon satisfactory completion of several pre-employment requirements to include a credit check, background check and drug screen
ARKA Group L.P
is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or veteran status, age, or any other federally protected class.