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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead customer engagement and manage U.S. Army engineering programs with a focus on telecommunications.
- Company: Join a dynamic team delivering critical solutions for the U.S. Department of Defense.
- Benefits: Enjoy stock options, a contributory pension scheme, and 25 days annual leave plus public holidays.
- Why this job: Be at the forefront of defence technology while making a real impact on national security.
- Qualifications: 10+ years in project management within defense; U.S. citizenship and security clearance required.
- Other info: Remote work options available; must be eligible for U.S. security clearance.
The predicted salary is between 43200 - 72000 £ per year.
We are looking for a Customer facing Program Manager with experience in supplier side delivery of U.S. Department of Defense engineering programs, particularly in telecommunications and related fields. This role, based in the U.S., acts as the key liaison between the U.S. Army and internal teams, ensuring smooth program execution and alignment with customer needs. The Program Manager will focus on customer engagement, risk management, and program integration, coordinating with technical experts from both the UK and U.S. Additionally, they will ensure strategic alignment and high-level integration of multiple product deliveries, working closely with dedicated product owners and delivery managers.
ROLES and RESPONSIBILITIES
U.S. Army Customer Engagement & Stakeholder Management
- Serve as the primary customer interface, translating U.S. Army operational needs into engineering and delivery requirements.
- Develop and maintain strong relationships with U.S. Army program managers, acquisition officials, and end-user stakeholders.
- Coordinate with internal stakeholders in both the U.S. and UK, ensuring aligned communications before regular customer engagements.
- Provide regular, structured updates on program status, milestone tracking, and risk assessments to customer leadership.
- Confidently brief senior military officials, industry partners, and internal leadership.
- Translate U.S. Army mission requirements into actionable deliverables for UK-based product and delivery teams.
- Drive customer alignment and engagement, ensuring timely decision-making and issue resolution.
Program Oversight & Integration
- Provide customer-facing and program oversight on multiple product delivery programs, ensuring strategic alignment with U.S. Army expectations and contractual obligations.
- Ensure seamless coordination between U.S. customer expectations and UK-based engineering and delivery teams.
- Act as the bridge between U.S. Army stakeholders, technical product owners, and UK-based delivery program managers.
- Identify and mitigate program risks early, particularly regarding inter-dependencies, compliance, and delivery expectations.
Technical & Strategic Leadership
- Bring in the right technical expertise at key stages, including the Customer-Facing Chief Scientist and technical advisory teams.
- Ensure that technical discussions with the U.S. Army are structured, mission-aligned, and outcome-driven.
- Work closely with UK-based teams to validate engineering execution, readiness for deployment, and transition into operational use.
Delivery Execution & Risk Management
- Provide program-wide risk assessments and mitigation strategies, ensuring delivery continuity and alignment with U.S. Army timelines.
- Monitor and align delivery schedules, product readiness, and system integration milestones across programs.
- Drive program-wide progress tracking, issue resolution, and course correction, ensuring seamless execution.
Contractual, Compliance & CUI Handling
- Ensure program execution aligns with U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) contractual obligations, FAR/DFARS regulations, and security policies.
- Safeguard Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) per DFARS 252.204-7012 and NIST 800-171 standards, ensuring compliance across U.S. and UK operations.
- Maintain compliance with CMMC (Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification) and ITAR (International Traffic in Arms Regulations).
- Work closely with commercial and legal teams to ensure all customer, contract, and export control requirements are met.
Governance, Reporting & Senior Leadership Communication
- Report to executive leadership, providing program dashboards, financial oversight, and key performance metrics.
- Maintain accountability for KPI tracking, contract performance, and budget adherence.
- Ensure adherence to PMO governance frameworks, including milestone reporting, risk escalation, and issue resolution.
- 10+ years’ experience in engineering project / program management within defense, with a strong focus on telecommunications, communications, satellite communications, or related industries.
- Proven supplier experience managing customer-facing defense programs for the U.S. Army or Department of Defense (DoD), preferably in complex electro-mechanical, software, or communications systems.
- Deep understanding of DoD procurement processes, program lifecycles, and compliance frameworks (FAR, DFARS, ITAR, CMMC, CUI requirements, etc.).
- Strong ability to manage cross-border program execution, ensuring seamless integration between U.S. customer expectations and UK-based delivery teams.
- Must be a U.S. citizen due to CUI, and DoD contract requirements.
- Must be eligible for or currently hold a U.S. security clearance (Secret or higher preferred).
- Experience working with complex systems involving multi-discipline engineering teams and defense manufacturing processes.
- P3M, PRINCE 2, APMP or DAU (Defense Acquisition University) certifications preferred but not essential.
- Stock Options
- Contributory Pension Scheme 3% standard
- 25 days Annual Leave + Public Holidays
- Cycle-to-Work Scheme
- Car Scheme (Salary Sacrifice)
- Free On-Site Gym
- Employee Assistance Programs
- Discounts Platform
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Project Controller (PMO011) employer: Rocket Lab
Contact Detail:
Rocket Lab Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Project Controller (PMO011)
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the U.S. Army's operational needs and procurement processes. Understanding their specific requirements will help you tailor your approach during interviews and discussions, showcasing your ability to translate these needs into actionable deliverables.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with professionals who have experience in defence programmes, particularly those related to telecommunications. Engaging with industry contacts can provide valuable insights and potentially lead to referrals that could strengthen your application.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss your experience in risk management and program integration. Be ready to share specific examples of how you've successfully navigated challenges in previous roles, especially in cross-border projects involving U.S. and UK teams.
✨Tip Number 4
Stay updated on compliance frameworks such as FAR, DFARS, and CMMC. Demonstrating your knowledge of these regulations during interviews will show your commitment to maintaining high standards in programme execution and compliance.
We think you need these skills to ace Project Controller (PMO011)
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience in project management, particularly within the defence sector and telecommunications. Use specific examples that demonstrate your ability to manage customer-facing programmes and liaise with military stakeholders.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: In your cover letter, emphasise your understanding of U.S. Department of Defense processes and your experience in risk management and program integration. Clearly articulate how your skills align with the responsibilities outlined in the job description.
Highlight Relevant Certifications: If you have any certifications such as P3M, PRINCE 2, or APMP, be sure to mention them prominently. These qualifications can set you apart from other candidates and demonstrate your commitment to professional development.
Showcase Communication Skills: Given the role's emphasis on stakeholder management and customer engagement, provide examples of how you've successfully communicated complex information to diverse audiences. This could include experiences where you briefed senior officials or coordinated with cross-border teams.
How to prepare for a job interview at Rocket Lab
✨Understand the U.S. Army's Needs
Make sure you have a solid grasp of the U.S. Army's operational requirements and how they translate into engineering needs. Research recent projects or initiatives that align with the role to demonstrate your understanding during the interview.
✨Showcase Your Stakeholder Management Skills
Prepare examples of how you've successfully managed relationships with various stakeholders, particularly in defence settings. Highlight your ability to communicate effectively with both technical teams and non-technical stakeholders.
✨Demonstrate Risk Management Expertise
Be ready to discuss your experience with risk assessment and mitigation strategies. Provide specific examples of how you've identified and addressed risks in previous projects, especially in complex environments.
✨Familiarise Yourself with Compliance Standards
Brush up on relevant compliance frameworks such as FAR, DFARS, and CMMC. Be prepared to discuss how you've ensured compliance in past roles, as this is crucial for the position you're applying for.
