Contracting Program Manager

Responsibilities

• Lead, manage, and coordinate all aspects of the SpaceWERX program portfolio, including schedule, budget, and scope.
• Lead Space Force contracting officers the award and administration of tactical funding increase contracts.
• Interface with a variety of incubators and accelerator organization to transition technology to the warfighter.
• Interface with government clients and stakeholders to define project requirements, expectations, and deliverables.
• Ensure the successful execution of innovative space missions and technologies by managing cross-functional teams.
• Oversee program/project reporting, including progress tracking, risk management, and performance assessments.
• Develop and maintain project schedules, including milestone tracking, and ensure timely delivery.
• Provide regular updates to government program office leadership on status, risks, and mitigation strategies.
• Coordinate meetings and presentations with stakeholders at various levels within government and private sector organizations in support of a strategy.
• Ensure compliance with all federal regulations and contracting processes, including adherence to security protocols and budget constraints.
• Oversee the internal transition planning efforts of a portfolio of innovative technologies and create and manage a governance structure for systematically updating and providing leadership with insights on portfolio return on investment.
• Facilitate collaboration between contractors, subcontractors, and internal teams, other government agencies to ensure alignment with SpaceWERX internal goals and objectives and program executive officers' programs.
• Provide leadership with well formulated courses of action by leveraging real time problem-solving and decision-making skills, especially in high-pressure or fast-paced environments.
• Serve as the Contracting subject matter expert for SpaceWERX innovation programs, supporting End-Users, Contracting Officers, and Portfolio Managers in navigating complex acquisition pathways (FAR and non-FAR).
• Lead the Board to Award process for each STRATFI/TACFI award cycle, including Contracting Kickoff meetings, award tracking, timeline enforcement, and barrier resolution.
• Develop and maintain the official Contracting Playbook, standardizing package development, templates, and best practices across all portfolios.
• Engage directly with Contracting shops, End-Users, and industry to streamline documentation and contracting workflows.
• Oversee compliance with SBIR/STTR requirements and provide guidance on transitioning from Phase II to Phase III.
• Coordinate with AFWERX Ventures and PEOs to ensure alignment with acquisition strategy and programmatic objectives.
• Mentor junior acquisition professionals and provide training on best practices in innovative contracting approaches.
  
  

Qualifications

• At least 10 years of experience in project management, preferably supporting government contracts or space-related programs.
• Proven track record of managing complex, multi-disciplinary projects with government clients.
• Senior level engagement and briefing experience and providing guidance to senior officials on programs, policies, and strategies
• Experience sourcing and creating information channels and alliances across multi force structure to support organizational strategies and plans
• Experience in space technologies, satellite programs, or defense-related projects is highly desirable.
• Government staff officer experience is a plus
• Experience working within SpaceWERX/AFWERX or similar innovation initiatives is a plus
  
  

Experience

• 10 years of experience in cradle-to-grave DoD/DAF contracting, including SBIR/STTR contracts, rapid acquisition authorities, and non-traditional award types.
• Experience in project management, preferably supporting government contracts or space-related programs.
• Proven track record of managing complex, multi-disciplinary projects with government clients.
• Senior level engagement and briefing experience and providing guidance to senior officials on programs, policies, and strategies.
• Experience sourcing and creating information channels and alliances across multi force structure to support organizational strategies and plans.
• Experience in space technologies, satellite programs, or defense-related projects is highly desirable.
• Government staff officer experience is a plus.
• Experience working within SpaceWERX/AFWERX or similar innovation initiatives is a plus.
• Direct experience supporting senior stakeholders and navigating high-stakes procurement in the space or defense tech sector.
• Proven leadership in guiding multi-agency acquisition teams through high-value contract awards.
• Direct experience supporting senior stakeholders and navigating high-stakes procurement in the space or defense tech sector.
  
  

Skills

• Strong understanding of federal government contracting, compliance, and acquisition processes and the planning, programming, budget and execution process to include requirements generation. o Understanding of OSD prototyping and experimentation guides.
• Ability to collect and analyze large amounts of innovation information from large numbers of diverse programs and synthesize current status, trends and effective courses of action are preferred.
• Contracting and project management certifications (e.g., DAU, PMP, Agile, or similar) are preferred.
• Proficient with project management software (e.g., MS Project, Jira, or similar).
• Exceptional leadership, organizational, and communication skills.
• Ability to work in a collaborative and cross-functional team environment.
• Ability to handle multiple priorities, tight deadlines, and shifting priorities
  
  

Education

• Master’s degree; Business, Project Management; Engineering, or other military studies related field
  
  

Clearance Requirements

• SECRET Clearance is required. Must be able to obtain and maintain a Top Secret security clearance.
  
  

Notes

• U.S. Citizenship is required
• Primarily remote (offsite) w/potential for required travel
• Travel (up to 20%) may be required to government and industry locations.
  
  

The pay range for this position in California is $130,000/year to $170,000/year; however, base pay offered may vary depending on established government contract rates, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience, and other factors. MTSI also offers a full range of medical, financial, and other benefits, dependent on the position offered. Base pay information is based on market location. Applicants should apply via MTSI's internal or external careers site.

The pay range for this position in Colorado is $130K/year to $170K/year; however, base pay offered may vary depending on established government contract ranges, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience, and other factors. MTSI also offers a full range of medical, financial, and other benefits, dependent on the position offered. Base pay information is based on market location. Applicants should apply via MTSI's internal or external careers site.

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Perks & Benefits

Vacation

New Hires Accrue 20 days of PTO and 10 Holidays per Year

Health Insurance

Zero Deductible Health Plans

Flexible Schedules

Flex Schedules

Professional Development

Up to $10,000 Annual Education/Training Reimbursement

ESOP

Funded Stock Ownership Plan

401k Match

6% 401k Match Immediate Vesting

Bonus Program

Semi-Annual Bonus Opportunity

Mentorship

Career Mentorship Programs

Why is MTSI known as a Great Place to Work?

• Interesting Work: Our co-workers support some of the most important and critical programs to our national defense and security.
• Values: Our first core value is that employees come first. We challenge our co-workers to provide the highest level of support and service, and reward them with some of the best benefits in the industry.
• 100% Employee Owned: We have a stake in each other's success, and the success of our customers. It's also nice to know what's going on across the company; we have company wide town-hall meetings three times a year.
• Great Benefits - Most Full-Time Staff Are Eligible for:
• Starting PTO accrual of 20 days PTO/year 10 holidays/year
• Flexible schedules
• 6% 401k match with immediate vesting up to $9k annually
• Semi-annual bonus eligibility (July and December)
• Company funded Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) - a separate qualified retirement account
• Up to $10,000 in annual educational reimbursement
• Other company funded benefits, like life and disability insurance
• Optional zero deductible Blue Cross/Blue Shield health insurance plan
• Track Record of Success: We have grown every year since our founding in 1993.
  

Modern Technology Solutions, Inc. (MTSI) is a 100% employee-owned engineering services and solutions company that provides high-demand technical expertise in Digital Transformation, Modeling and Simulation, Rapid Capability Development, Test and Evaluation, Artificial Intelligence, Autonomy, Cybersecurity and Mission Assurance

MTSI delivers capabilities to solve problems of global importance. Founded in 1993, MTSI today has employees at over 20 offices and field sites worldwide.

For more information about MTSI, please visit www.mtsi-va.com

EEO Statement

MTSI embraces nine core values including our first core value of Employees come first. Consistent with our Core Values, we are committed to Equal Opportunity, making decisions without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, military/veteran status, disability, or any other characteristics protected by applicable law. MTSI is committed to Equal Employment Opportunity and providing reasonable accommodations to applicants and employees with physical and/or mental disabilities.