Program Manager, Mission Training

Saronic · Defense · Virginia Beach, VA · Mission Services

Program Manager to lead the development and rollout of Mission Training programs for new and evolving autonomous maritime platforms. This role owns the cradle-to-grave development of training programs, coordinating across engineering, product, instructional design, and training teams to ensure operators can be trained, qualified, and deployed in step with system development. The role involves managing timelines, dependencies, risks, and milestones to ensure training programs are delivered on schedule and aligned with mission requirements.

What you'd actually do

  1. Own the cradle-to-grave development of Mission Training programs for new platforms and major capability releases
  2. Develop and manage integrated program plans spanning curriculum development, training infrastructure, staffing readiness, and multi-site rollout
  3. Drive alignment between platform development timelines and training program availability
  4. Define program milestones, deliverables, and success criteria for training readiness
  5. Identify and manage cross-functional dependencies across Engineering, Product, Instructional Design, Mission Training, and Operations

Skills

Required

  • Demonstrated success leading complex, cross-functional programs in dynamic, fast-paced environments
  • Ability to manage multiple concurrent programs across different platforms, timelines, and stakeholders
  • Strong organizational discipline with a bias toward structured planning, milestone tracking, and accountability
  • Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to align technical, operational, and leadership stakeholders
  • Proven ability to identify risks early, drive mitigation strategies, and maintain program momentum under uncertainty
  • Strong analytical mindset, with the ability to leverage data and reporting to inform decisions and communicate program status
  • Demonstrated leadership capability, including experience guiding teams, influencing without authority, and developing junior personnel (e.g., analysts or PMO staff)
  • Ability to translate complex technical systems and operational concepts into clear program plans and training requirements
  • Comfort operating in field environments and engaging directly with training teams, engineers, and operators
  • Ability to operate effectively in environments where requirements and timelines evolve rapidly
  • Willingness to travel up to 40–50% to support training sites, sea trials, and program activities
  • Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Operations, Business, or a related field
  • 8+ years of experience in program management, operations, or technical project leadership
  • Proven experience managing complex, cross-functional programs with multiple stakeholders
  • Strong organizational and planning skills, with the ability to manage competing priorities and timelines
  • Experience driving programs from concept through delivery in fast-paced environments
  • Experience leading or managing analysts, PMO fu

What the JD emphasized

  • Ensure mission training is ready when the capability is ready
  • Own the cradle-to-grave development of training programs for new platforms
  • Own the cradle-to-grave development of Mission Training programs for new platforms and major capability releases
  • Ensure training programs are delivered on schedule and aligned with mission requirements
  • Define program milestones, deliverables, and success criteria for training readiness
  • Identify and manage cross-functional dependencies
  • Ensure training reflects real-world operational requirements, mission profiles, and system capabilities
  • Establish and lead program-level risk management processes
  • Lead a team of analysts responsible for data capture, analysis, and reporting across training programs
  • Proven experience managing complex, cross-functional programs with multiple stakeholders
  • Experience driving programs from concept through delivery in fast-paced environments
  • Experience leading or managing analysts, PMO fu