SAIC is seeking a dynamic, mission-driven Program Manager (PM) to lead and grow a portfolio of autonomous systems programs in support of the U.S. Navy and broader Department of Defense (DoD) customers. This is not simply a program execution role — we are looking for a strategic leader and problem-solver who is passionate about understanding warfighter challenges and actively developing innovative solutions that expand our capabilities and grow our portfolio across multiple customers and mission areas.
In this role, you will serve as the primary interface between SAIC and a diverse set of government customers working at the forefront of autonomy, artificial intelligence, unmanned systems, and information warfare. While the core of this portfolio is currently centered on supporting cutting-edge autonomous systems development and integration efforts within the naval domain, the right candidate will bring the vision and drive to identify and pursue opportunities across the broader DoD autonomous systems landscape — from maritime and undersea systems to air, ground, and space domains.
You will manage a portfolio of programs spanning the full development lifecycle — from research and rapid prototyping to integration, test and evaluation, and fielding — with a strong emphasis on delivering autonomous and AI-enabled capabilities that address emergent warfighter requirements with speed and precision. You will oversee cost-reimbursable contracts supporting rapid development, proof-of-concept, and prototyping efforts while simultaneously building the relationships and strategies needed to grow the portfolio.
Critically, the ideal candidate will bring not only strong program management fundamentals but also an entrepreneurial mindset — one that drives them to engage deeply with customers, identify unmet needs, and proactively develop solutions that position SAIC for sustained growth across the autonomous systems domain.
This role is located in San Diego, CA and requires daily presence on the government site. Travel up to 25% of the time is required.
JOB DUTIES:
Strategic Program Leadership:
- Serve as the primary Program Manager responsible for the full lifecycle execution of autonomous systems programs, including schedule management, acquisition strategy, contracting, resource allocation, and budget oversight.
- Drive program performance to deliver results on time, on budget, and in full alignment with customer mission objectives.
- Develop and maintain program baselines, identify and analyze variances, and implement corrective actions as needed.
- Ensure all contract deliverables are submitted on time and meet or exceed quality standards.
- Lead all corporate financial and technical reviews of program performance, escalating challenges to SAIC leadership as appropriate.
- Develop program-specific processes, procedures, and tools to drive efficiency and repeatable execution across a dynamic and evolving portfolio.
Customer Engagement & Portfolio Growth:
- Serve as a trusted advisor and strategic partner to government customers, developing a deep understanding of their mission priorities, technical challenges, and capability gaps across the autonomous systems domain.
- Proactively identify opportunities to apply SAIC's capabilities to solve customer problems, translating those opportunities into actionable business development strategies.
- Develop and contribute to strategic business development plans that expand current account offerings and position SAIC for re-compete and new business growth — both within existing accounts and across adjacent DoD customers and mission areas.
- Identify potential buying agents, emerging sponsors, and new program opportunities beyond the current portfolio, including opportunities across Navy, Marine Corps, Army, Air Force, and defense agency customers.
- Build and maintain strong relationships across the DoD autonomous systems community, including program offices, research organizations, and operational commands.
Autonomous Systems & Technical Oversight:
- Oversee the development, integration, testing, and fielding of autonomous systems programs spanning maritime, undersea, air, ground, and space domains as applicable.
- Provide technical leadership and guidance across systems engineering, integration, test and evaluation, and sustainment activities.
- Support the validation of analytical models, novel applications of fielded technologies, and improvements to operational employment concepts.
- Ensure effective integration of autonomous systems into broader mission architectures, including ISR, integrated fires, and non-kinetic warfare frameworks where applicable.
- Stay current on emerging trends, technologies, and acquisition strategies within the autonomous systems and AI/ML domains to inform both program execution and business development efforts.
Cross-Functional Team Leadership:
- Build, lead, and mentor a high-performing, cross-functional program team that includes subcontractors, suppliers, and task leads.
- Foster clear and effective communication across government sponsors, internal SAIC functions, and industry partners.
- Provide strategic vision and mature leadership to the team, resolving personnel and program issues in coordination with SAIC Market Segment leadership, HR, and Program Oversight.
- Provide significant input on performance reviews, compensation-related actions, and staffing and hiring decisions.
- Participate in screening and interviewing potential hires to build a team capable of supporting portfolio growth.
Risk, Cost & Compliance Management:
- Identify program risks, cost drivers, and mitigation strategies to ensure successful execution across cost-reimbursable contract vehicles.
- Ensure compliance with all applicable quality standards, acquisition regulations, and government reporting requirements.
- Apply understanding of cost modeling, reliability analysis, and sustainment strategies to support long-term program health and customer confidence.
REQUIREMENTS:
Education & Experience:
- Bachelor's degree and 18 or more years of related experience; Master's degree and 16 or more years; or PhD/JD and 13 or more years of related experience.
Clearance:
- Must be a U.S. Citizen.
- Must hold an Active Secret clearance at time of start.
- Must be able to obtain a TS/SCI after start.
Certifications:
- PMI Project Management Professional (PMP) certification, or equivalent education and experience.
SAFe/Agile certification.
Core Experience:
- Demonstrated experience managing DoD programs, with a strong preference for Navy, joint, or multi-service autonomous systems programs.
- Proven track record of customer engagement and relationship building within a government R&D or acquisition environment — not just executing programs, but actively shaping them and identifying new opportunities.
- Experience with autonomous systems programs across one or more domains, including maritime, undersea, air, ground, or space unmanned systems.
Working knowledge of systems-of-systems (SoS) and family-of-systems (FoS) integration for complex defense programs. - Experience with cost-reimbursable contract management, including risk identification, cost variance analysis, and corrective action planning.
- Demonstrated ability to identify and develop new business opportunities within an existing government account and across adjacent customers.
- Experience managing large, cross-functional program teams that include subcontractors and multiple task leads.
- Strong understanding of the DoD acquisition process, including rapid acquisition and prototyping pathways.
DESIRED SKILLS:
- Direct experience supporting NIWC Pacific, NIWC Atlantic, or other Naval Information Warfare Centers.
- Familiarity with autonomous systems programs such as unmanned underwater vehicles (UUVs), autonomous surface vessels (ASVs), unmanned aerial systems (UAS), or remotely operated ground or amphibious systems.
- Background in AI/ML applications for autonomous decision-making, data fusion, or ISR-enabled systems.
- Experience with waterfront operations, at-sea prototype testing, or other dynamic operational test and evaluation environments.
- Knowledge of ISR systems and architectures, including TCPED workflows, kill chain integration, and information warfare frameworks.
- Familiarity with DARPA, ONR, OSD, or defense agency program structures and acquisition approaches.
- Experience with PEO Unmanned and Small Combatants (USC), PEO C4I, or other relevant Navy program executive offices.
- Working knowledge of Electromagnetic Maneuver Warfare (EMW), Integrated Fires, or Real-Time Spectrum Operations.
- Understanding of mission engineering and mission thread development, including digital modeling and human systems integration.
- Experience with space-based systems or nano-satellite programs in a defense context.
- Demonstrated experience leading strategic and cultural transformation initiatives within a program or organization.
- Familiarity with joint or multi-service autonomous systems programs spanning Navy, Marine Corps, Army, or Air Force customers.