Program Manager

Scientific Applications & Research Associates (SARA), Inc.

Program Manager leading R&D efforts in defense technology at SARA. Overseeing program execution and team collaboration in a technical and fast-paced environment.

Posted 8/1/2026full-timeColorado Springs • Colorado • 🇺🇸 United StatesJuniorMid-Level💰 $80,000 - $115,000 per yearWebsite

Core Competencies

Role fit

Core Competencies

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Demonstrates expertise in program management, effectively overseeing cost, schedule, and tasking for R&D programs while ensuring alignment with customer requirements. Strong communication skills facilitate collaboration across diverse teams and stakeholders to achieve program objectives.

Highest-signal resume keywords

Program Management ExperienceStrong Oral And Written Communication SkillsFinancial And Technical Proposal PreparationDoD Top Secret Security ClearanceTime-Management Skills

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills

Program ManagementTechnical Proposal PreparationBudget ManagementSchedule ManagementRisk Assessment

Soft Skills

LeadershipCollaborationAdaptabilityProblem-Solving

Tools & Technologies

MS WordMS PowerPointMS ExcelMS Project

Industry Keywords

R&D ProgramsHPEMCustomer RequirementsStrategic PlanningMulti-Disciplinary Teams

Tech Stack

Tools & technologies

PythonPyTorchTensorflow

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Overseeing direct management of cost, schedule, and tasking for multiple R&D HPEM programs in a fast-paced and rapidly evolving environment
Act as liaison between customers, technical lead, and engineering team to execute the program objectives and adapt/prioritize tasking as necessary
Providing oversight and leadership to multi-disciplinary teams operating within/between HPEM division’s various departments to achieve timely execution of program milestones
Effectively communicating program directions and objectives to all skills levels, from technicians to senior engineers up to senior scientists
Ensuring program execution remains focused on customer requirements and as requirements evolve working to quickly inform appropriate team members with updates
Interfacing with various SARA Division Directors, working to implement technical and managerial visions across various projects
Maintaining regular communications with customers and partners while working with the technical leads to implement requested scope changes and/or additions, brainstorming ways to provide additional capabilities to stakeholders
Interfacing with customers on issues that may arise and working with teams as well as technical leads to facilitate timely resolutions, as needed
Creating and providing financial/technical program status updates and briefings to senior-level personnel and customers
Preparing technical proposals, including technical volumes, system requirements, schedules/milestones, budgets, assumptions, and risks
Providing input and recommendations for internal R&D strategic planning for business opportunities and avenues for company growth
Keep junior level engineers aligned with the program mission (big picture)

Requirements

What you’ll need

Bachelor’s degree in relevant engineering or project field
2 – 4 years of program management experience
Flexibility to work as part of a diverse team that is located both remotely and on-site
Strong oral and written communication skills with intermediate-level expertise with MS Word, PowerPoint, Excel, and Project
Proven time-management skills; able to thrive in a rapidly changing, deadline-driven environment
US Citizen with the ability to obtain and maintain DoD Top Secret security clearance
May require light physical effort, involving standing, sitting and use of hands while performing duties, carrying or lifting up to 50 pounds

Benefits

Comp & perks

Medical, dental, vision, disability and life insurance
A generous PTO program (vacation, sick, holiday)
Tuition & certification reimbursement
Flexible work schedules
Discretionary Employee bonuses
401(k) match/profit sharing
Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP)