Senior Program Manager (Defense & Energetics Programs)

Senior Program Manager (Defense & Energetics Programs)

Location: European NATO allied country

Clearance: Active or eligible for U.S. Secret

Position Description:

Mission Essential Group (MEG) is seeking a Senior Program Manager to lead a complex, defense-grade energetics and explosives manufacturing program in Eastern Europe. The role is responsible for end-to-end program delivery across multiple high-hazard industrial facilities, including the construction of an RDX/HMX manufacturing plant and a charge manufacturing facility, executed under NATO and Eastern Europe regulatory oversight.

This position serves as the single accountable authority for program integration, governance, safety, compliance, cost, schedule, and stakeholder coordination. The Senior Program Manager represents MEG in engagements with the host government authorities, industrial partners, and allied stakeholders.

Key Responsibilities

• Serve as Program Integrator with full accountability for delivery, safety, and compliance

• Establish and lead program governance, phase gates, and milestone approvals

• Integrate EPC firms, process technology providers, automation vendors, and security partners

• Oversee explosives safety, hazard classification, QD compliance, and ATEX requirements

• Lead regulatory coordination with host-nation authorities and inspection bodies

• Manage phased funding, performance metrics, and risk mitigation plans

• Build and lead a multinational program team operating in a high-consequence environment

• Provide executive-level reporting to MEG leadership and government stakeholders

REQUIREMENTS

Minimum Qualifications

• 15 years of experience managing large, regulated industrial or defense programs

• Demonstrated leadership of €100M projects with formal governance and audits

• Experience with explosives, munitions, chemicals, petrochemical, nuclear, or ATEX facilities

• Strong understanding of safety-driven program execution and regulatory approval cycles

• Proven ability to operate as a single accountable program authority

• Ability to obtain NATO Secret clearance or higher

Desired Qualifications

• Prior experience with U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, NATO infrastructure programs, or allied defense ministries

• Experience operating in Central or Eastern Europe

• Background as Lead System Integrator or Owner’s Representative

• Active U.S. Secret clearance or higher

• US Citizen is desired

• Position is contingent upon award

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