Senior Technical Program Manager

Riverside Overview

Riverside Research is an independent National Security Nonprofit dedicated to research and development in the national interest. We provide high-end technical services, research and development, and prototype solutions to some of the country’s most challenging technical problems.    All Riverside Research opportunities require U.S. Citizenship.  

Position Overview

We are seeking a dynamic and results-oriented Senior Technical Program Manager to lead the execution of advanced radar programs while also driving business growth and financial accountability. You will be responsible for overseeing complex program lifecycles, managing multidisciplinary technical teams, and ensuring successful delivery to our government customers. In addition, this role will play a critical part in business development and capture activities, shaping proposals, supporting cost estimating, and maintaining program profitability.

This is a customer-facing leadership role requiring both strong radar domain expertise and the ability to translate technical solutions into executable, cost-effective programs.

Responsibilities

Key Responsibilities

 

Program & Technical Leadership

• Provide programmatic expertise and advice to government customers. Assisting the Government to lead end-to-end program execution for radar development, integration, test, and deployment.

• Act as primary interface with government and industry, ensuring alignment with technical and contractual requirements.
• Direct cross-functional teams to deliver high-quality solutions on schedule and within budget.
• Identify, track, and mitigate program risks while capitalizing on opportunities.
• Advise on tailored acquisition practices appropriate of the program’s scale, ensuring effective use of available funding and alignment with stakeholder objectives.
• Drive compliance with federal acquisition policies, agency-specific regulations, and contractual commitments.

Business Development & Capture

• Collaborate with Business Development to identify new radar opportunities and contribute to account growth strategies.
• Shape capture efforts by analyzing requirements, competitor positioning, and differentiators.
• Lead technical solutioning and contribute to proposals, including schedules, cost models, and execution plans.
• Build long-term relationships with key stakeholders across government agencies, primes, and industry partners.
• Support customer briefings, demonstrations, and technical interchange meetings to advance pursuit strategies.

Financial & Cost Management

• Develop and manage program staffing and funding plans, ensuring resource alignment with available funding and stakeholder priorities
• Oversee preparation of cost estimates, Basis of Estimate (BOE) documentation, and pricing strategies for proposals.
• Monitor contract funding, expenditures, and margins; ensure accurate financial tracking and reporting.
• Partner with Finance, Accounting and Project Controls to assess performance, variances, and corrective actions.
• Support audits and customer financial reporting requirements.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications

• Minimum of 12 years of related experience and a Bachelor’s Degree in a technical field (i.e. Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, Physics, etc.); MS preferred and 8 years or PhD and 5.
• 12 years of experience in radar systems, defense, or aerospace programs.
• Proven record of managing complex DoD programs with direct customer engagement.
• Strong technical understanding of radar systems (RF, signal processing, integration, software).
• Demonstrated experience in cost management (EVM, forecasting, BOE preparation).
• Hands-on involvement in business development and capture activities.
• Exceptional communication, leadership, and negotiation skills.
• Active TS/SCI U.S. Government security clearance (or ability to obtain and maintain).
• Experience with FAR/DFARS contracting processes and DoD acquisition lifecycle.
• Experience with Radar Modernization and Phased Array Technology

Desired Qualifications

 

• Program management training or certification (PMP, DAU or equivalent), with the ability to apply right sized practices appropriate to the program’s scale and environment
• Experience leading cross-functional technical teams in matrixed organizations.
• Provide programmatic expertise and advice to government customers in a variety of programs
• Background in proposal leadership for radar or electronic warfare systems.
• Strong record of customer relationship building and account growth.
• Experience in:
  • Ballistic Missile Defense
  • Ballistic Missile Technical Collections
  • Space Based Radar Applications
  • Space Situational Awareness Experience
  • Whole Life Engineering Experience

What We Offer

• Opportunity to lead next-generation radar programs with direct impact on mission success.
• A collaborative, fast-paced environment blending technical excellence with business growth.

Global Comp

$140,000 - $210,000 This represents the typical compensation range for this position based on experience, location and other factors.

Closing Statement

  Riverside Research Institute is a not-for-profit, technology-oriented defense company, where service to our customers and support of our staff is our overall mission. Riverside is an affirmative action-equal opportunity employer and complies with all applicable federal, state, and local laws regarding recruitment and hiring.  Riverside offers comprehensive compensation and benefit packages to our employees. Riverside bases its employment decisions solely on technical experience, qualifications and other job-related criteria related to our organizational purpose as a not-for-profit company, and without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex marital status, sexual orientation, national origin, physical or mental disability, veteran’s status or any other status legally protected by applicable federal, state, and local law.

Salary : $140,000 - $210,000