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Description

The Mission Concepts and Capabilities (MCC) Division of Applied Research Associates, Inc. (ARA) is seeking to contingently hire a motivated, energetic, and experienced **Critical Technologies Task Order Program Manager** to serve as ARA’s task order program manager on the ARA’s effort supporting the Assistant Secretary of War for Critical Technologies (OASW(CT)) in supporting CT in stewardship and advocacy of the Department’s investments and capabilities aligned with the National Defense Strategy’s critical technologies. The successful candidate will serve as the ARA program manager leading a large task order supporting the OASW(CT) Principal Directors oversee CTAs including Directed Energy, Hypersonics, Integrated Sensing & Cyber (IS&C), Space Technology, Energy Resilience, Trusted Artificial Intelligence & Autonomy (TAI&A), Trusted & Assured Microelectronics (T&AM), Technology Innovation, Strategic Intelligence and Analysis, and Nuclear Command, Control & Communications (NC3).

The ARA OASW(CT) task order program manager will be responsible for technical execution, cost, schedule, and staffing of the program. The successful candidate will managing and directing ARA and performing oversight of subcontracts and subcontractor personnel, coordinating activities across OASW(CT). The TOPM must possess excellent written and verbal communication skills and have demonstrated experience working and collaborating with Government personnel.

This position is contingent upon ARA winning the Critical Technologies task order, customer acceptance of the successful candidate’s resume, and security clearance verification. We expect contract award in the first quarter of calendar year 2026.

Essential Functions:

+ Program management: technical, cost, schedule, staffing, subcontractor oversight/direction, customer interface

+ R&D program management

+ High-level communication with senior DoW personnel and stakeholders

+ Risk mitigation and management

+ Lead program quality reviews

+ Identify and recommend process improvements and documenting lessons learned

Required Qualifications:

+ Master’s degrees in relevant disciplines from an accredited college or university

+ Top Secret security clearance with SCI eligibility

+ Demonstrated project and/or program management experience of research, development, test, and evaluation projects and programs (including subcontractors)

+ 8-10 years of relevant experience

Preferred Qualifications:

+ 15+ years of project/program management experience

+ Recent OASW(CT) experience as Government employee or contractor

+ Detailed technical knowledge of one or more critical technology areas

+ PMP certification

COMPANY INFORMATION:

Applied Research Associates, Inc. is an employee-owned international research and engineering company recognized for providing technically superior solutions to complex and challenging problems in the physical sciences. The company, founded in Albuquerque, NM, in 1979, currently employs over 2000 professionals. ARA offices throughout the United States and Canada provide a broad range of technical expertise in defense technologies, civil technologies, computer software and simulation, systems analysis, environmental technologies, and testing and measurement. The corporation also provides sophisticated technical products for environmental site characterization, pavement analysis, and robotics.

At ARA, employees are our greatest assets. The corporation realizes that employee ownership fosters greater creativity and initiative along with higher performance and customer satisfaction levels. ARA gives its employees the tools, training, and opportunities to take more active roles as owners. The culture is challenging; innovation and experimentation are the norm. Employees are eligible for contributions which not only add to the company’s success, but also their own through the Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP). The motto, “Engineering and Science for Fun and Profit” sums up the ARA experience. For additional information and an opportunity to join this unique workplace, please visit our website at www.ara.com.

Please apply at www.careers.ara.com for the Critical Technologies Task Order Program Manager position.

Qualifications

Behaviors

Required

+ **Team Player:** Works well as a member of a group

+ **Leader:** Inspires teammates to follow them

+ **Enthusiastic:** Shows intense and eager enjoyment and interest

+ **Detail Oriented:** Capable of carrying out a given task with all details necessary to get the task done well

+ **Dedicated:** Devoted to a task or purpose with loyalty or integrity

Motivations

Required

+ **Growth Opportunities:** Inspired to perform well by the chance to take on more responsibility

+ **Self-Starter:** Inspired to perform without outside help

+ **Financial:** Inspired to perform well by monetary reimbursement

Education

Required

+ Masters or better

Experience

Required

+ 8-10 years: Relevant work expeirienc

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities

This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws.

For further information, please review the Know Your Rights (https://www.eeoc.gov/poster) notice from the Department of Labor.