Senior Program Manager at KBR, Inc. in Huntsville, AL

Senior Program Manager

Location: Huntsville, Alabama

Title:

Senior Program Manager

At KBR, we deliver science, technology and engineering solutions to governments and companies around the world. KBR employs approximately 37,000 people worldwide with customers in more than 85 countries and operations in over 28 countries. KBR is proud to work with its customers across the globe to provide technology, value-added services, and long-term operations and maintenance services to ensure consistent delivery with predictable results.

Trinzic is the future independent company to be created through the planned spin-off of KBR's Mission Technology Solutions business, expected in January 2027. Our people work at the frontier of what is possible, delivering solutions in challenging environments and advancing some of the world's highest-priority national security and space missions.

Backed by decades of mission success, deep expertise, and trusted partnerships, Trinzic will launch as a global organization with more than 18,000 employees supporting customers around the world. Join us at a defining moment and help shape the future of a company built to tackle complex challenges and make a meaningful impact.

Candidates who join KBR's Mission Technology Solutions business before the spin-off will transition to Trinzic when the separation is complete and will not need to reapply for employment.

Contingent on Contract Award

Program Summary

Kord, a wholly owned subsidiary of KBR, delivers advanced defense solutions supporting the U.S. Department of Defense and other government agencies. Our programs encompass the development, integration, testing, production, deployment, and sustainment of advanced weapon systems, mission-critical technologies, and emerging defense capabilities that enhance warfighter effectiveness and national security.

The complexity and strategic importance of these efforts require experienced leadership capable of directing large-scale programs and portfolios across multiple customers, technologies, and operational environments. Success in this role demands exceptional leadership in program execution, customer engagement, business growth, organizational development, and long-term strategic planning.

Job Summary

The Senior Program Manager is responsible for the strategic leadership, execution, and growth of complex defense programs and portfolios supporting advanced weapon systems and critical national security missions. This position provides overall accountability for program performance, customer satisfaction, financial results, risk management, talent development, and business growth initiatives.

The Senior Program Manager serves as a trusted advisor to government customers and senior corporate leadership while leading geographically dispersed, multidisciplinary teams responsible for delivering highly complex technical solutions. This role requires demonstrated success managing large-scale programs through all phases of the program lifecycle, from capture and proposal development through engineering, production, deployment, sustainment, and follow-on growth.

The Senior Program Manager will play a key role in shaping organizational strategy, expanding customer relationships, identifying new market opportunities, and developing partnerships that strengthen Kord's position within the defense and national security marketplace.

Roles and Responsibilities

1. Provide strategic leadership and overall accountability for the successful execution of complex programs and portfolios with responsibility for cost, schedule, technical performance, quality, and customer satisfaction.

2. Develop and execute long-range program and portfolio strategies aligned with customer mission requirements, corporate objectives, and growth initiatives.

3. Lead large cross-functional teams spanning engineering, operations, manufacturing, supply chain, logistics, finance, contracts, quality, security, and business development organizations.

4. Serve as the principal executive interface with senior government customers, acquisition executives, military leadership, industry partners, and corporate leadership.

5. Direct program financial performance, including revenue, profitability, cash flow, forecasting, resource allocation, and achievement of business objectives.

6. Establish and maintain executive-level customer relationships to ensure program success and identify opportunities for continued growth, expansion, and customer value creation.

7. Lead strategic risk management activities, proactively identifying and mitigating program, technical, financial, schedule, workforce, and supply chain risks.

8. Provide leadership during proposal development, capture efforts, contract negotiations, and program transitions to ensure executable and profitable program baselines.

9. Drive operational excellence and continuous improvement initiatives across program execution, resource management, and customer engagement activities.

10. Oversee major subcontractor, supplier, and strategic partner relationships to ensure alignment with contractual obligations and program objectives.

11. Lead system development, integration, qualification, production, fielding, sustainment, and modernization activities across multiple programs and customers.

12. Ensure compliance with all contractual requirements, company policies, government regulations, export controls, security requirements, and quality management standards.

13. Lead executive program reviews, milestone assessments, technical reviews, and customer decision forums.

14. Monitor key business and program metrics, including EVMS performance, schedule execution, resource utilization, risk posture, customer satisfaction, and financial performance.

15. Prepare and deliver executive-level briefings to government senior leadership, corporate executives, boards, and other key stakeholders.

16. Build, mentor, and develop high-performing program teams while advancing workforce development, succession planning, and leadership growth initiatives.

17. Collaborate with business development and capture teams to identify, pursue, and win new business opportunities that align with organizational growth objectives.

18. Develop and maintain strategic partnerships across industry, government, academia, and international organizations to expand domestic and international business opportunities and strengthen competitive positioning.

19. Champion innovation and the transition of emerging technologies into operational capabilities supporting future warfighter requirements.

20. Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, integrity, safety, and mission success across all program activities.

Basic Qualifications

1. Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Business Administration, Systems Engineering, Program Management, Aerospace, Defense Studies, or a related discipline.

2. Minimum 15 years of progressive experience leading complex defense, aerospace, government, or technology programs, with significant responsibility for program execution and business results.

3. Demonstrated success managing large, complex programs or portfolios involving development, integration, production, test, deployment, and sustainment activities.

4. Proven experience with program financial management, including revenue forecasting, profitability, resource planning, indirect management, and business performance accountability.

5. Extensive experience leading large multidisciplinary teams and managing geographically dispersed organizations.

6. Demonstrated ability to build and maintain executive-level customer relationships within DoD, government agencies, and industry organizations.

7. Strong knowledge of defense acquisition processes, government contracting, systems engineering, and lifecycle management practices.

8. Exceptional leadership, strategic planning, communication, negotiation, and decision-making skills.

9. Experience presenting to senior government officials, military leadership, corporate executives, and key stakeholders.

10. U.S. Citizenship required with the ability to obtain and maintain a DoD Top Secret security clearance.

Preferred Qualifications

1. Master's degree in Engineering, Business Administration (MBA), Systems Engineering, Program Management, National Security Studies, or related field.

2. PMP certification, Defense Acquisition Workforce Improvement Act (DAWIA) certification, Program Management Institute credentials, or equivalent professional certifications.

3. Demonstrated experience managing programs exceeding $50M annually in value and overseeing multiple concurrent contracts or program portfolios.

4. Experience leading advanced weapon systems, directed energy systems, missile defense, C5ISR, autonomy, aerospace, or other mission-critical defense programs.

5. Extensive knowledge of DoD acquisition frameworks, milestone decision processes, EVMS, Integrated Master Scheduling, and risk management methodologies.

6. Experience supporting rapid prototyping, transition-to-production efforts, low-rate initial production, and full-rate production programs.

7. Demonstrated success developing strategic industry partnerships and expanding domestic and international business opportunities.

8. Experience supporting Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Space Force, Missile Defense Agency, SOCOM, DARPA, or other national security organizations.

9. Active DoD Top Secret clearance, with SCI eligibility preferred.

10. Proven track record of driving program growth, expanding customer relationships, winning follow-on business, and delivering sustained organizational performance.

KBR Benefits

KBR offers a selection of competitive lifestyle benefits which could include 401K plan with company match, medical, dental, vision, life insurance, AD&D, flexible spending account, disability, paid time off, or flexible work schedule. We support career advancement through professional training and development.

Additional Compensation:

KBR may offer bonuses, commissions, or other forms of compensation to certain job titles or levels, per internal policy or contractual designation. Additional compensation may be in the form of sign on bonus, relocation benefits, short-term incentives, long-term incentives, or discretionary payments for exceptional performance.

Belong, Connect and Grow at KBR

At KBR, we are passionate about our people and our Zero Harm culture. These inform all that we do and are at the heart of our commitment to, and ongoing journey toward being a People First company. That commitment is central to our team of team’s philosophy and fosters an environment where everyone can Belong, Connect and Grow. We Deliver – Together.

KBR is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, national origin, veteran status, genetic information, union status and/or beliefs, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law.