Systems Engineering, SME

At Peraton, we drive missions of consequence—globally. As a leading mission capability integrator and enterprise engineering provider, we deliver trusted solutions that protect our nation and enable mission success across the Intelligence Community (IC) and Department of Defense (DoD).

Our Space and Intelligence Sector is seeking an Expert-Level Program Manager to lead a large, high-performing engineering organization supporting the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA). This role sits at the intersection of mission, technology, and leadership—guiding teams that deliver model-based systems engineering (MBSE), architecture, integration, modeling, simulation, and analysis for NGA’s Sensor Integration mission.

If you thrive leading complex programs, influencing senior government stakeholders, and delivering innovative solutions at scale, this is a chance to make a national-level impact.

What You’ll Do

As the Program Manager, you will serve as the authoritative point of contact for contract performance and lead a multidisciplinary team of approximately 50 FTEs, including program managers, systems engineers, integrators, architects, chief engineers, and test specialists.

You will partner closely with Government Program Managers, Task Order Leads, and acquisition stakeholders to ensure successful execution across cost, schedule, performance, and risk.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end program execution for a large NGA Task Order, ensuring alignment with contract requirements, SOW, and Award Fee Plans.

• Manage staffing, onboarding, and rapid backfill of qualified personnel in accordance with Task Order position descriptions.

• Oversee delivery of all contractual deliverables (CDRLs, reports, briefings, white papers, evaluations, and trip reports) with a focus on quality, accuracy, and timeliness.

• Provide day-to-day contractual and programmatic management, including cost, schedule, risk, and performance management.

• Serve as the primary interface with NGA leadership, including Division Chiefs, Government PMOs, Chief Engineers, and mission stakeholders.

• Plan and orchestrate integrated work activities, schedules, milestones, and surge support across technical teams.

• Supervise, mentor, and develop project managers and technical leads; support recruiting, hiring, and workforce planning.

• Apply industry best practices in lifecycle engineering, agile and traditional program management, and lean six-sigma execution.

• Support acquisition activities, governance boards, steering groups, and advisory panels as required.

• Contribute to business growth by supporting proposals and follow-on opportunities within your mission area.

Why Peraton

You’ll lead mission-critical work alongside government and industry innovators, influence national security outcomes, and shape the future of enterprise and sensor integration at NGA—all while working with a deeply technical, highly motivated team.

Peraton offers enhanced benefits to employees working on this critical National Security program, which include heavily subsidized employee benefits coverage for you and your dependents, 25 days of PTO accrued annually up to a generous PTO cap and eligible to participate in an attractive bonus plan.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Computer Science, Systems Engineering, Engineering Management, IT, Mathematics, or a related STEM field (or equivalent additional experience).

• Expert-level Program/Project Management experience, with demonstrated success managing cost, schedule, performance, and risk.

• 18+ years of experience in government or industry supporting DoD or IC acquisition programs (including PPBES).

• Proven experience building, leading, and managing large, multidisciplinary engineering teams.

• Hands-on experience across the full systems engineering lifecycle (requirements, design, development, analysis, documentation, verification, and validation).

• Previous NGA experience is required, including work within NSG/ASG environments.

• Prior IC and/or DoD program or project management experience.

• Ability to operate as Contractually Key Personnel and serve as the senior vendor representative for program execution.

• TS/SCI clearance adjudication or ability to obtain SCI and pass a poly.

Desired Qualifications

• Knowledge of the GEOINT mission and its role within the Intelligence Community.

• PMP, DAWIA Level III (Program Management), or equivalent advanced program management certification.

• Working knowledge of Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) tools, processes, and languages.

• Experience developing or reviewing cost estimates tied to technical scope and mission outcomes.

• Experience applying Lean Six Sigma principles.

• Practical experience tailoring and executing Agile and Waterfall development methodologies.

• Strong ability to identify technical risks early and communicate impacts proactively.

• Experience performing verification and validation of complex engineering deliverables.

• Working knowledge of:

  • Cloud-based technologies

  • Structured and unstructured Big Data

  • Automation, AI, and augmentation technologies

• Strong understanding of the systems engineering lifecycle and enterprise-scale integration.