Project Manager — Defense & Maritime Programs
Work Arrangement: Remote — U.S.-Based | Travel to Customer & Project Locations Required
Location: May be based anywhere in the United States (remote) when not traveling
Travel Requirement: 25%–50% Domestic & International Customer Job Sites
Employment Category: Regular Full-Time | Exempt
Reporting Structure: Operations Director
Position Overview
A growing U.S.-based contractor supporting defense, maritime, and government customers is seeking an experienced Project Manager to oversee the successful delivery of assigned programs from contract award through completion. This position is responsible for coordinating the people, materials, equipment, subcontractors, schedules, budgets, and other resources required to meet customer commitments. The Project Manager will work closely with company leadership, customers, subcontractors, and project personnel to maintain control of cost, schedule, quality, and execution. The position is remote when not traveling and requires regular presence at customer and project locations. The successful candidate should be comfortable working independently, managing multiple priorities, and operating in environments where project conditions and customer requirements can change quickly.
Compensation: $140,000–$170,000 annual salary, exempt. Actual compensation will be based on the candidate’s relevant experience, education, professional qualifications, certifications, technical expertise, and overall fit for the position. The final offer will reflect the candidate’s qualifications relative to the requirements of the role, with compensation toward the upper end of the range generally considered for candidates bringing significant experience or qualifications beyond the stated minimum requirements.
Employee Benefits
We offer a comprehensive benefits program designed to provide employees with support across health, financial planning, time away from work, and overall well-being. Available programs include:
- Paid Leave: Company-paid holidays along with paid time off for vacation, personal needs, and other eligible absences.
- Health & Wellness: Medical-related savings options, including HSA and FSA programs, as well as dental and vision coverage.
- Retirement Planning: 401(k) retirement savings program with a competitive employer contribution/matching opportunity.
- Income Protection: Employer-provided short-term disability and basic life insurance, with additional voluntary coverage options available, including long-term disability, critical illness, and hospital-related benefits.
- Competitive Compensation: Salary and compensation programs designed to remain competitive within the markets in which we operate.
- Employee Support: A collaborative work environment with resources intended to support professional development, employee well-being, and long-term success.
Benefits and eligibility are subject to applicable plan terms and may be reviewed and updated periodically.
Primary Areas of Responsibility
Program Delivery & Oversight
- Take ownership of assigned projects beginning at contract award and continuing through final completion and closeout.
- Establish the resources, personnel, equipment, materials, and subcontract support necessary to execute each project.
- Serve as a central point of coordination between the company, customers, subcontractors, and project personnel.
- Monitor project performance against contractual commitments and establish corrective action plans when cost, schedule, staffing, or execution issues arise.
- Maintain consistent communication with stakeholders throughout the project lifecycle.
Financial Performance & Contract Administration
- Establish an initial project budget and maintain accurate financial forecasts throughout execution.
- Compare actual project expenditures with budgeted and projected costs.
- Identify unfavorable trends, potential cost exposures, and other financial risks before they affect project performance.
- Manage project changes in accordance with applicable contractual provisions.
- Evaluate changes in scope, schedule, and execution requirements and communicate their potential financial impact.
- Support the company's financial objectives while maintaining strong customer relationships.
Project Planning & Timeline Management
- Build and maintain detailed project schedules, preferably using Microsoft Project.
- Establish milestones and monitor progress against contractual completion dates.
- Track work completion and identify activities that may affect the overall schedule.
- Adjust sequencing, resources, and priorities as necessary to maintain project commitments.
- Communicate schedule performance and anticipated delays to management and other stakeholders.
Partner & Subcontractor Administration
- Determine when outside subcontractor support is required and coordinate their engagement.
- Ensure subcontractors have the personnel, materials, equipment, and information necessary to perform their assigned work.
- Monitor subcontractor performance, progress, and readiness.
- Coordinate activities among multiple parties to prevent conflicts and maintain project momentum.
- Address performance or execution concerns and escalate significant issues when appropriate.
Billing & Project Records
- Coordinate customer invoices in accordance with contractual milestones and completed work.
- Ensure billing is accurate, timely, and properly supported by project documentation.
- Monitor billing schedules and work with internal personnel to resolve discrepancies or delays.
- Maintain project records necessary for financial reporting, customer communication, and closeout.
Stakeholder Engagement & Reporting
- Establish a regular communication cadence appropriate to each project.
- Lead weekly or bi-weekly project meetings as required.
- Provide clear updates concerning progress, cost, schedule, resources, and emerging risks.
- Solicit input from customers and project stakeholders regarding potential issues.
- Keep company leadership informed of significant developments and recommended actions.
Contract Review & Project Assurance
- Review customer and subcontractor agreements to understand applicable requirements, deliverables, responsibilities, and conditions.
- Translate contractual requirements into practical project execution activities.
- Visit project locations as necessary to verify progress, review conditions, coordinate personnel, and address execution issues.
- Perform hands-on project reviews across multiple locations, including potential domestic and international assignments.
- Ensure project activities remain aligned with customer expectations, contractual requirements, and company standards.
Finalization & Project Completion
- Drive assigned projects through final completion.
- Verify that contractual obligations, purchase orders, and subcontract requirements have been satisfied.
- Coordinate outstanding deliverables and documentation.
- Confirm that applicable agreements and project activities are properly closed.
Team Leadership & Oversight
The Project Manager provides direct and indirect oversight of assigned project personnel and may supervise members of project or shipboard teams. Responsibilities include establishing priorities, coordinating personnel and subcontractors, monitoring performance, and ensuring resources are aligned with project requirements.
Candidate Profile
The ideal candidate will bring at least five years of experience managing technical, construction, industrial, maritime, or similar projects and will be comfortable taking ownership of projects in a demanding customer environment.
Core Qualifications
- 5+ years of DOD, technical or construction project-management experience.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Project or comparable project management and scheduling software.
- Working proficiency with Microsoft Office.
- Strong organizational skills and the ability to manage competing deadlines.
- Demonstrated ability to analyze complex project information and make sound decisions.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
- Ability to work effectively with customers, employees, subcontractors, and company leadership.
- Proactive approach to identifying and resolving project issues.
- Ability to adapt quickly as project requirements, priorities, and assignments change.
- Ability to work effectively in a growing organization where responsibilities may extend beyond traditional job functions.
- Ability to obtain access credentials required for government-controlled facilities, including DBIDS where applicable.
- Ability to obtain and maintain required government or customer security clearances/access credentials.
- Valid U.S. Driver's License and U.S. Passport, or ability to obtain through expedited application and maintain.
- Successful completion of required pre-employment screening.
Education: An Associate or Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Construction Management, Project Management, or a related discipline is preferred. Equivalent professional experience may be considered.
Relevant Industry Experience
Candidates with experience in one or more of the following environments are encouraged to apply:
- U.S. Navy or Department of Defense programs.
- Federal or government contracting.
- Maritime or shipyard operations.
- Technical construction or industrial projects.
- Government or customer-controlled facilities.
- Multi-location project execution.
- Domestic and international project assignments.
- Subcontractor coordination and project oversight.
Professional Competencies
Success in this position requires an individual who is:
- Organized and detail-oriented.
- Comfortable working independently.
- Confident communicating with customers and senior leadership.
- Analytical and commercially aware.
- Professional and credible in customer-facing environments.
- Persistent in resolving problems and maintaining project momentum.
- Comfortable managing changing priorities.
- Dependable and collaborative.
- Focused on quality, schedule, cost control, and customer satisfaction.
Mobility & Travel Requirements
Although the position may be performed remotely when not traveling, regular visits to customer and project locations are an essential part of the role. The position requires approximately 25–50% travel, including potential domestic and international travel. Depending upon the assignment, the Project Manager may be required to access naval vessels, industrial facilities, waterfront locations, government installations, and other active work environments.
Physical Activities May Include
- Climbing ladders and stairs.
- Walking across uneven, wet, or slippery surfaces.
- Kneeling, crouching, and reaching overhead.
- Accessing elevated work areas.
- Entering confined or restricted spaces.
- Moving through tight areas aboard vessels or industrial facilities.
- Remaining mobile for extended periods during project reviews.
- Working in varying weather and environmental conditions.
- Complying with customer and site-specific safety requirements.
- Wearing required personal protective equipment.
Operating Conditions
The position combines remote work with travel to customer and project locations.
Project environments may include naval vessels, shipyards, waterfront facilities, government installations, industrial facilities, and other active work sites. Conditions may include elevated noise, vibration, dust, fumes, weather exposure, heavy equipment, scaffolding, confined spaces, and other industrial hazards. The Project Manager must be able to work effectively in these environments while maintaining a strong focus on safety, project execution, customer requirements, and operational efficiency.
Equal Employment Opportunity
We are committed to maintaining an inclusive and professional workplace. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, disability, age, veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable law. Reasonable accommodations will be considered where feasible to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position.
Pay: $140,000.00 - $170,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- 401(k) matching
- Dental insurance
- Flexible spending account
- Health insurance
- Health savings account
- Life insurance
- Paid time off
- Parental leave
- Professional development assistance
- Relocation assistance
- Retirement plan
- Vision insurance
Application Question(s):
- Please confirm that you understand this is a remote position that may be performed remotely from anywhere in the U.S. when you are not traveling. The role however requires regular travel, generally ranging from approximately 15% to 50%, with travel requirements varying based on project activity and business needs.
- Please confirm that you meet the definition of a “U.S. Person” for purposes of this position. For this role, a U.S. Person means a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident (green card holder), or other individual who qualifies as a protected person under applicable U.S. law.
- Please confirm that you have reviewed and understand the requirements outlined in this posting, including the travel expectations, physical requirements, required background screening, and drug-free workplace requirements.
- Salary Requirement:
Experience:
- Project management: 4 years (Required)
Willingness to travel:
Work Location: On the road
