Program Manager Journeyman

Applied Research Solutions is seeking a Journeyman Program Manager to provide support to the Division Chief and Front Office Group (FOG) in the Aerospace Management Systems Division (AFLCMC/ESA).

The Aerospace Management Systems Division is responsible for developing, delivering, and sustaining the Department of the Air Force’s critical air traffic management, landing systems, CNS/ATM avionics, and weather sensing and forecasting capabilities. These capabilities enable resilient airspace operations and provide essential situational awareness for the USAF, USSF, Joint, and Coalition forces.

This division also supports execution across multiple mission areas. Its main efforts include Air Traffic Management Systems, CNS/ATM Avionics Engineering, Weather Sensing and Forecast Technologies, and an extensive Foreign Military Sales (FMS) portfolio that delivers airspace control and aviation safety capabilities to partner nations.

Work with us?

Applied Research Solutions (ARS) is respected as a world-class provider of technically integrated solutions as we deliver premier talent and technology across our focused markets for unparalleled, continuous mission support. Awarded a Best Places to Work nominee since 2020, ARS recognizes that without our career- driven, loyal professionals, we would not be able to deliver state-of-the-art results for our mission partners. We firmly believe that prioritizing our employees is of the upmost importance. We provide a culture where our employees are challenged to meet their career goals and aspirations, while still obtaining a work/life balance. ARS employees are motivated through our industry competitive benefits package, our awards and recognition program, and personalized attention from ARS Senior Managers.

Responsibilities include:

Duties include, but not limited to:

Program & Acquisition Management

• Provide program-level acquisition support to the Program Manager (PM) and Integrated Product Team (IPT) Leads to ensure disciplined execution, acquisition battle rhythm, and delivery of warfighter capability
• Advise program leadership on overall program health and options to maintain cost, schedule, and performance objectives
• Interpret, coordinate, and execute acquisition project assignments; identify and resolve issues with significant impact to acquisition and sustainment efforts
• Compare program direction and plans for alignment and consistency across stakeholders
• Monitor and assess program integration plans and interface control between systems

Acquisition Strategy & Policy Compliance

• Assist with planning, evaluating, and implementing acquisition strategies, including traditional, Middle Tier of Acquisition (MTA), and Urgent Capability pathways
• Provide non-technical acquisition expertise and guidance in accordance with DoD and Air Force acquisition policies, directives, and instructions
• Identify and resolve policy disconnects; provide policy interpretation and recommendations to program leadership
• Track acquisition reform initiatives and recommend updates to programs impacted by policy changes

Contracting, RFP & Source Selection Support

• Provide program management inputs to RFPs, including system requirements, SOWs, SRDs, CDRLs, and evaluation criteria
• Assist with development of source selection strategies and provide administrative and evaluation support
• Review and track prime contractor deliverables, schedules, and contractual performance
• Assist with drafting contractual correspondence related to program management issues

Program Reporting & Senior Leadership Briefings

• Develop, prepare, and review acquisition reports and statutory documentation in support of milestone decisions and program oversight
• Support preparation of senior-level briefings, graphics, schedules, and program status updates
• Maintain recurring program documentation such as MARs, APBs, DAES inputs, SARs, and supplemental acquisition reports
• Utilize DoD-mandated and specialized systems to support reporting, documentation, and execution

Risk, Schedule & Performance Management

• Develop, maintain, and execute program risk management plans; facilitate risk identification, analysis, handling, and monitoring
• Support risk management boards and working groups; document outcomes and action items
• Analyze contractor and subcontractor risk management processes
• Coordinate with program scheduling personnel and correlate EVM cost performance data with Integrated Master Schedule (IMS) CDRLs

Financial & Funding Support

• Provide direct support for preparation and submission of funding documents, including purchase requests, MIPRs, and obligation/spend plans
• Support cost and schedule reduction initiatives across acquisition and development efforts
• Evaluate funding realism and cost impacts in support of acquisition strategies and execution decisions

Advisory & Leadership Support

• Provide expert acquisition and program management guidance to division chiefs and program/project managers
• Advise PMs on best-practice program management principles to improve processes, increase efficiency, and achieve cost avoidance
• Support life-cycle logistics considerations and operational supportability planning
• Other duties as assigned

*Position Contingent Upon Position Award*

Qualifications/Technical Experience Requirements:

• Must be a U.S. Citizen
• 8 Years of experience in the respective technical/professional discipline being performed, 5 of which must be in the DoD
• Or bachelor's degree in a related field and 5 years of experience in the respective technical/professional discipline being performed, 3 of which must be in the DoD
• Active Secret Security Clearance
• Proficient in records management, ensuring compliant document handling and accurate tracking of Directorate and Division-level materials
• Skilled in workflow and tasker/suspense tracking, including assigning, monitoring, and validating action items across complex organizations
• Experienced with staff package editing, routing, and processing, ensuring clarity, correctness, and timely movement through approval chains
• Strong capability in SharePoint and Office 365, including organizing repositories, maintaining structured workflows, and managing collaborative documents
• Ability to coordinate Division/Directorate deliverables, consolidating inputs from multiple branches and functional leads to produce accurate leadership-ready outputs
• Adept at monitoring and managing task queues and preparing leadership updates on suspense statuses and workflow throughput
• Skilled in supporting meeting coordination, including preparing agendas, tracking action items, and aligning schedules with leadership requirements

Possesses the knowledge, experience, and demonstrated ability to perform tasks related to the technical/professional discipline they are performing. Possesses the ability to work independently and apply the proper procedures and processes related to their area of expertise. Shall also possess the ability to problem solve and troubleshoot various situations to develop successful outcomes within established program/project guidelines (Program Office and Staff Level Support interface).

The expected annual salary range: $125k - $135k. Salary is dependent upon the role and associated responsibilities, candidate's experience, location and qualifications to include education/training, and key skills.

All positions at Applied Research Solutions are subject to background investigations. Employment is contingent upon successful completion of a background investigation including criminal history and identity check.

This contractor and subcontractor shall abide by the requirements of 41 CFR 60-741.5(a). This regulation prohibits discrimination against qualified individuals on the basis of disability and requires affirmative action by covered prime contractors and subcontractors to employ and advance in employment qualified individuals with disabilities.

This contractor and subcontractor shall abide by the requirements of 41 CFR 60-300.5(a). This regulation prohibits discrimination against qualified protected veterans and requires affirmative action by covered contractors and subcontractors to employ and advance in employment qualified protected veterans.