Program Manager III

Veteran-Owned Firm Seeking a Program Manager III for an Onsite Assignment at Hanscom Air Force Base (AFB) in Bedford, MA

My name is Stephen Hrutka. I lead a Veteran-Owned management consulting firm in Washington, DC. We specialize in Technical and Cleared Recruiting for the Department of Defense (DoD), the Intelligence Community (IC), and other advanced defense agencies.

At HRUCKUS, we support fellow Veteran-Owned businesses by helping them recruit for positions across organizations such as the VA, SBA, HHS, DARPA, and other leading-edge R&D-focused defense agencies.

We seek to fill a Program Manager III for a role at Hanscom Air Force Base (AFB) in Bedford, MA.

The ideal candidate should possess an active Top-Secret Security Clearance and have at least 7 years of experience managing complex defense programs, including a minimum of 3 years in a senior or leadership program management role. Experience within DoD or other federal government agencies is highly preferred.

If you’re interested, I'll gladly provide more details about the role and discuss your qualifications further.

Thanks,

Stephen M Hrutka

Principal Consultant

HRUCKUS LLC

Executive Summary: HRUCKUS is seeking a Program Manager III for a role at Hanscom Air Force Base (AFB) in Bedford, MA.

Job Description: We seek a Program Manager III with Top Secret Clearance to join a high-performing team at Hanscom AFB, supporting critical defense initiatives. This individual will oversee and manage multiple high-priority projects essential to national security. The role involves working closely with multidisciplinary teams, including engineers, cybersecurity experts, and other defense professionals, ensuring all projects align with Department of Defense (DoD) standards. The ideal candidate will be a seasoned leader with strong organizational skills and the ability to navigate complex challenges while focusing on timelines, budgets, and scope.

Key Responsibilities

• Program Leadership: Lead and manage large-scale, high-visibility defense programs from inception through completion. Ensure programs meet specific DoD goals and adhere to timelines, budgets, and scope.
• Project Planning & Coordination: Develop and implement detailed project plans, coordinating resources, scheduling, and task assignments to meet deliverables. Manage project risks, perform risk assessments, and implement risk mitigation strategies.
• Stakeholder Management: Serve as the primary point of contact for all program-related communications. Effectively manage expectations of senior government stakeholders, including leadership and defense agency partners, providing status reports and regular program updates.
• Cross-functional Team Leadership: Oversee multidisciplinary teams, ensuring seamless collaboration between engineering, cybersecurity, logistics, and other departments to deliver high-quality outcomes. Foster a culture of teamwork and continuous improvement.
• Compliance & Security: Ensure all projects comply with DoD security protocols and maintain the highest standards for managing sensitive information. Maintain up-to-date knowledge of security requirements and risk management practices by DoD and federal regulations.
• Documentation & Reporting: Maintain comprehensive project documentation, including progress reports, risk management plans, change control documentation, and performance assessments. Ensure that all project milestones are documented and communicated to relevant stakeholders.
• Budget & Resource Management: Oversee the budget for assigned programs, ensuring that financial resources are allocated efficiently and that projects are delivered on time and within budget. Provide recommendations for improvements in resource utilization and cost-effectiveness.
• Continuous Improvement: Provide leadership in identifying process improvements and best practices to ensure the efficient execution of defense programs—leverage lessons learned to improve program performance and reduce potential issues in future projects.
  
  

Requirements

• Clearance: Active Top-Secret Clearance is required at the time of application and must be maintained throughout employment.
• Certifications: PMI Certification (e.g., CAPM® or PMP®) is highly desired.
• Minimum of 7 years of experience managing complex defense programs, with at least 3 years in a leadership or senior program management role.
• Experience working within DoD or federal government agencies is preferred.
• Proven track record of successfully managing projects and programs within scope, schedule, and budget constraints.
• Expertise in managing project resources, timelines, risk assessments, and performance tracking.
• Demonstrated success in leading cross-functional teams, including technical, cybersecurity, and operational groups, to deliver high-quality, mission-critical solutions.
• Strong understanding of DoD standards, requirements, and regulations governing defense projects, particularly cybersecurity, system engineering, and mission systems development.
• Familiarity with defense-related systems and cybersecurity best practices is highly preferred. Experience with military or government defense programs, particularly in the aerospace or IT security domains, is a significant advantage.
  
  

Preferred Skills & Experience

• Cybersecurity Knowledge: Knowledge of cybersecurity principles and practices related to DoD requirements.
• Advanced Project Management: Experience with agile methodologies, Earned Value Management (EVM), and project management tools (e.g., MS Project, JIRA, Primavera).
• Communication: Exceptional verbal and written communication skills with the ability to create clear and concise reports and presentations for senior management and government stakeholders.
• Problem-Solving: Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities, with a proactive approach to overcoming obstacles and delivering results.
  
  

Details

• Job Title: Program Manager III
• Location: Hanscom AFB, MA
• Clearance Requirement: Secret Clearance
• Assignment Type: Full-time, Onsite
• Salary Range: $120,000 - $160,000 per year
• Certification: PMP Certification is highly desired