Senior Program Manager

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At Leidos, we deliver innovative solutions through the efforts of our diverse and talented people who are dedicated to our customers' success. We empower our teams, contribute to our communities, and operate sustainably. Everything we do is built on a commitment to do the right thing for our customers, our people, and our community. Our Mission, Vision, and Values guide the way we do business.

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Leidos Defense provides a diverse portfolio of systems, solutions, and services covering land, sea, air, space, and cyberspace for customers worldwide. Solutions for Defense include enterprise and mission IT, large-scale intelligence systems, command and control, geospatial and data analytics, cybersecurity, logistics, training, and intelligence analysis and operations support. Our team is solving the world’s toughest security challenges for customers with “can’t fail” missions.

The Emerging Space Systems Division at Leidos currently has an opening for a Senior Program Manager to work in our San Diego, CA office. This is an exciting opportunity to use your experience to advance Advanced Electro-Optical/Infrared (EO/IR) Technologies. In this mission, we lead the research, development, and prototyping of next-generation optical sensing capabilities—including multi-spectral imaging, persistent surveillance, and laser systems—designed to provide a tactical advantage to Department of Defense (DoD) operators in contested environments. This role is central to our partnership with high-consequence R&D customers, specifically DARPA and AFRL, and requires a leader with a strong technical foundation capable of balancing complex engineering demands with internal corporate performance objectives while driving technologies toward mission-ready production.

Primary Responsibilities

• Lead the full lifecycle execution of complex R&D programs focused on EO/IR sensor payloads, from initial concept and optical design through sensor-to-platform integration and field testing.

• Serve as the primary point of contact with the Government and Prime-Customers, to ensure milestones, budgets, and schedules are met.

• Execute program management using Earned Value Management (EVM) principles, including managing the Integrated Master Schedule (IMS), tracking CPI/SPI, and conducting Variance Analysis.

• Report program performance to internal Leidos leadership, including regular PMRs, financial forecasting (EACs), and resource allocation.

• Drive the proposal process for new R&D efforts, including leading technical and cost volume development for DARPA & AFRL solicitations.

• Execute proposals and programs following Leidos’ internal processes and procedures.

• Work with other disciplines, eg Contracts, Subcontracts, Finance, Engineering Management, to ensure the successful execution of proposals and programs.

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering, Physics, or a related technical field with 12+ years of prior relevant experience, or a Master’s Degree with 10+ years of prior relevant experience.

• Must have direct experience applying Earned Value Management (EVM) methodology on DoD contracts, including formal reporting and reviews.

• Proven track record of managing DoD R&D programs, specifically with a focus on DARPA or AFRL contract vehicles.

• Demonstrated experience reporting program health and financial metrics to internal senior management within a matrixed corporate environment.

• Direct management experience in the development, integration, or testing of EO/IR hardware (e.g., EO sensors, hyperspectral imagers, or laser systems).

• Strong understanding of the DoD Technology Readiness Level (TRL) and Manufacturing Readiness Level (MRL) scales.

• Must have an active Secret security clearance with the ability to obtain and maintain a TS/SCI.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience leading >$10M / year in customer-funded programs as the Program Manager.

• Prior experience as a Lead Engineer or Subject Matter Expert (SME) in sensor systems before transitioning into Program Management.

• Active PMP certification.

• Specific experience navigating the transition of a DARPA or AFRL prototype into a formal Program of Record (PoR).

• Experience managing classified programs involving Special Access Programs (SAP).

If you're looking for comfort, keep scrolling. At Leidos, we outthink, outbuild, and outpace the status quo — because the mission demands it. We're not hiring followers. We're recruiting the ones who disrupt, provoke, and refuse to fail. Step 10 is ancient history. We're already at step 30 — and moving faster than anyone else dares.

Original Posting:

Pay Range:

The Leidos pay range for this job level is a general guideline only and not a guarantee of compensation or salary. Additional factors considered in extending an offer include (but are not limited to) responsibilities of the job, education, experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities, as well as internal equity, alignment with market data, applicable bargaining agreement (if any), or other law.