Automation Program Manager

Join Peraton in advancing the safety, efficiency, and modernization of the National Airspace System (NAS) through the FAA’s Brand New Air Traffic Control System (BNATCS) contract. As a trusted partner to the Federal Aviation Administration, Peraton helps deliver the systems and services that keep our nation’s skies safe and connected. We’re looking for innovative professionals who thrive in mission-critical environments and are passionate about shaping the future of air traffic management. This is your chance to make an impact on one of the world’s most vital transportation infrastructures, working alongside leaders in aviation, engineering, data science, and systems integration.

At Peraton, you won’t just support the mission — you’ll define it.

Peraton is seeking an experienced Automation Program Manager to support a Automation workstream NEEDS package execution, oversight, and growth of large-scale IT programs aligned to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) most significant modernization initiatives supporting the National Airspace System (NAS). This role partners closely with the Program Director to manage daily operations, technical delivery, workforce performance, and stakeholder engagement for a diverse team of 100+ IT professionals spanning Cybersecurity, Network Engineering, System Software Testing and Cloud.

The ideal candidate is a proven leader with strong operational discipline, financial acumen, and experience delivering complex IT services in a regulated federal environment.

Work Location:

• This position is required to be on-site located in Herndon, VA

Your Impact:

This Director-Level leadership role is responsible for translating strategic objectives into successful operational execution while ensuring exceptional customer satisfaction, technical excellence, workforce performance, financial stewardship, and program growth. You will lead cross-functional workstreams, partner directly with Peraton and FAA leadership, and drive successful delivery across multiple complex modernization initiatives.

Strategic Program Leadership

• Serve as Program Manager providing leadership across all operational and technical aspects of the workstream.
• Translate strategic program objectives into executable operational plans.
• Oversee end-to-end execution of NEEDS Package activities.
• Ensure successful delivery of all contractual requirements while maintaining cost, schedule, quality, and performance objectives.

Operational Leadership

• Lead day-to-day operations supporting a workforce of 100+ Cybersecurity, Network Engineering, System Software Testing and Cloud professionals.
• Partner with functional managers to optimize resource allocation across multiple programs and priorities.
• Lead cross-functional planning efforts.

Technical Program Execution

• Direct execution of large, complex engineering and technology initiatives from planning through deployment and operational transition.
• Manage scope, schedule, technical baselines, dependencies, and integration activities across multiple engineering disciplines.
• Lead technical reviews, milestone assessments, operational readiness reviews, and executive decision forums.

Financial & Business Management (P&L Responsibility)

• Assist the Workstream Lead with Profit and Loss (P&L) management for a multi-million-dollar portfolio, ensuring financial performance aligns with business objectives.
• Support development and execution of annual operating plans, budgets, labor forecasts, indirect planning, and revenue projections.
• Monitor program financial health, including revenue, margin, labor utilization, backlog, burn rates, and cost performance.
• Identify opportunities to improve profitability through operational efficiencies, workforce optimization, and continuous improvement.
• Partner with Contracts, Finance, Program Controls, and Business Operations to manage budgets, forecasts and financial reporting.
• Support business growth through proposal development, capture activities, staffing strategies, and transition planning.

Customer Engagement

• Develop trusted relationships with FAA leaders, Peraton executives, and key stakeholders.
• Lead executive program reviews, customer briefings, milestone reviews, and operational governance meetings.
• Ensure customer priorities remain aligned with program execution.
• Represent Peraton during executive-level meetings and strategic planning sessions.

Risk, Compliance & Governance

• Lead enterprise risk management activities across operational, technical, financial, and schedule performance.
• Drive quality assurance, operational governance, and continuous service improvement.
• Resolve complex technical, organizational, staffing, and customer issues.

Required Qualifications:

• U.S. Citizenship Required.
• Must have the ability to obtain / maintain a Public Trust clearance. 
• 16 years of experience managing large federal IT programs of 100+ personnel.
• Proven success managing and delivering federal IT programs with annual budgets exceeding $100M+.
• Experience managing Profit and Loss (P&L) for large federal programs, including budget planning, revenue forecasting, labor management, cost control, revenue, margin performance, and financial reporting.
• Proven ability to manage project scope, schedules, technical performance and budgets using structured project management methodologies (Agile, Waterfall, or hybrid).
• Hands-on experience with risk identification, mitigation, and issue resolution.
• Ability to lead geographically dispersed, cross-functional programs.
• Strong stakeholder management skills, with experience briefing senior leadership and external customers.
• Demonstrated workforce planning, resource allocation and workload-management experience.
• Demonstrated success delivering IT services delivery models, operational governance or systems in federal or highly regulated environments.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Information Technology, Engineering, Business Administration, or related field.
• Certifications such as PMP, ITIL Managing Professional, or SAFe Agilist.
• Experience supporting FAA, DOT, or other aviation or transportation programs.
• Familiarity with NextGen, large-scale modernization, or safety-critical systems.
• Background in change management, organizational transformation, or program turnarounds.
• Strong leadership skills with the ability to motivate, mentor, and retain high-performing teams.

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