Senior Program Manager 1
Confirmed on the employer's own hiring board on Oct 12, 2026. First seen by Alion on May 4, 2026. Applied Research Associates scores A on the Alion truth index.
Our diverse, energetic, and collaborative Concept Development Group offers an excellent opportunity to join our dynamic, employee-owned team for a Program Manager. You will be the procurement interface for multiple programs, while supporting the team in varying program management roles. You will be responsible for directing both technical and administrative efforts within the program. Working with a Technical Lead and Subcontract Manager, you will facilitate the completion of contract requirements for programs (existing and new). You will be the primary face for both internal and external customers requiring briefing, material preparation and review and deliverable completion. Collaborating with our technical teams in program management responsibilities and daily program monitoring.
We value diverse skills and experience, so don’t hold back, and apply now. Your qualification could add tremendous value to our team. Each of our employees wear multiple hats at any point of the day, so go-getting attitudes and fast paced employees are encouraged. If you’re passionate about what you could accomplish with ARA, we’d love to hear from you.
Introduction
- This position requires critical & strategic thinking, excellent communication skills, administrative tasks, agility, adaptability, and a sense of urgency in everything we do.
- Program management will identify potential opportunities to include technology development that could have a positive impact on providing better value in performance, improved mission capability, and reduced cost and schedule
What you’ll do as a Program Manager
- Support all procurement activities to ensure objectives are met in a timely manner to include supplier financial, quality, technical, programmatic, and schedule performance
- Preparation and completion of proposals for new programs and work
- Develop plans to promote cost reduction initiatives and process improvements (Technical and Quality) in support of flawless supplier execution for programs
- Interprets program and/or statement of work requirements and contract; recommends and implements action with suppliers to ensure achievement of all requirements
- Ability to work flexible hours if needed, for proposal preparation or special assignments which could possibly include extended hours, evening/night hours, weekends, and holidays (occasional/rare)
- Maintains financial reports using actual cost information, forecasted spend per project schedules, and estimated final costs against approved contract funding
- Briefs leadership about program status regularly
- Risk management plans will address risk identification, analysis, mitigation planning, mitigation implementation, and tracking. Technical risks and issues will be reflected in the program’s IMP and IMS.
Requirements
- Skilled at organizing and translating information into clear written documentation; articulating complex concepts, and processes in writing
- Experience working in a collaborative environment; ability to work well under tight deadlines and effectively interact with a wide range of personnel
- Excellent interpersonal and verbal/written language communication skills
- Excellent English language, grammar, and spelling skills for writing, editing, and proofreading
- Strong language of Microsoft product suite, with excellent knowledge of Microsoft Word and advanced Excel skills. Knowledge of SharePoint, MS Project, and Adobe Acrobat
- Experienced in contracts and program management
Preferences
- Bachelors’ degree and a minimum 8 years’ prior relevant experience in procurement and/or subcontract management, or minimum 6 years’ prior relevant experience in procurement and/or program management
- The ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. government issued security clearance is required. U.S. citizenship is required, as only U.S. citizens are eligible for a security clearance.
- https://aaf.dau.edu/aaf/mca/
- Knowledge or experience in running a Major Capability Acquisition beneficial. (Senior PM)
Company & Division Information
Applied Research Associates, Inc. is an employee-owned international research and engineering company recognized for providing technically superior solutions to complex and challenging problems in the physical sciences. The company, founded in Albuquerque, NM, in 1979, currently employs over 2,300 employee-owners and continues to grow. ARA offices throughout the United States and Canada provide a broad range of technical expertise in defense technologies, civil technologies, computer software and simulation, systems analysis, environmental technologies, and testing and measurement. The corporation also provides sophisticated technical products for environmental site characterization, pavement analysis, and robotics.
At ARA, employees are our greatest assets. The corporation realizes that employee ownership spawns greater creativity and initiative along with higher performance and customer satisfaction levels. ARA gives its employees the tools, training, and opportunities to take more active roles as owners. The culture is challenging; innovation and experimentation are the norm. Employees contributions not only add to the company’s success, but also their own through the Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP). The motto, “Engineering and Science for Fun and Profit” sums up the ARA experience. For additional information and an opportunity to join this unique workplace, please apply at careers.ara.com.