Associate Program Manager

Position Title: Associate Program Manager
Requisition ID: 1791
Position Location: Sterling, VA
Position Reports To: Product Line Director/Director of Programs
Supervises Others: No

At Trident Systems Space Electronic Systems (SES) division, we believe in the power of using strong engineering principles to drive innovation and solve complex problems. We foster a culture of rigorous engineering and continuous improvement, leveraging the full knowledge of our organization through collaborative product development processes that include design and peer reviews. We combine our expertise in space electronics with right-sized development processes to create innovative, high-performance space-based electronic systems that meet our customers' evolving needs.

We are a mission partner supporting DoD, Intelligence Community, and Civil space customers. We develop complex, radiation effects mitigated, designs that balance competing requirements in modern space programs, delivering cutting-edge solutions that enable our customers to achieve more in space.

Position Summary

The Associate Program Manager is an entry-level program management role responsible for supporting the successful execution of one or more hardware-focused development programs. This position provides hands-on experience in cost, schedule, risk, and subcontractor management while contributing to structured, well-executed program performance. Working under the guidance of an experienced Program Manager, the Associate Program Manager assists in day-to-day program execution, customer communication tracking, documentation control, and coordination with cross-functional engineering and operational teams. This role is ideal for a detail-oriented, organized, and motivated individual who thrives in technical environments and enjoys building structure in dynamic, fast-moving programs.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Program Execution Support
  • Assist in managing the cost, schedule, and risks of a program from planning through execution.
  • Support baseline development for program cost, schedule, and resource needs.
  • Monitor performance against baseline plans and assist in developing corrective actions.
  • Measure and report program performance metrics to internal leadership.
• Customer & Stakeholder Coordination
  • Track customer interactions, correspondence, contract deliverables, and action items.
  • Support preparation of program status updates, presentations, and reviews for customers and internal leadership.
  • Maintain clear, organized records of customer requests, decisions, and communications.
• Risk, Issue & Documentation Management
  • Log, track, and maintain program risks, mitigations, and burn-down plans.
  • Assist with issue identification, tracking, and resolution coordination across teams.
  • Control and maintain program documentation and configuration items.
• Financial & Schedule Management
  • Assist in establishing and maintaining program financial baselines.
  • Support tracking of labor and material expenditures, forecasting, and variance identification.
  • Contributes to creation and maintenance of integrated program schedules, including milestones and critical path tracking.
• Cross-Functional Team Collaboration
  • Support coordination across Engineering, Finance, Supply Chain, Manufacturing, and Quality.
  • Assist with resource planning, staffing alignment, and cross-functional communication.
  • Help organize and track outcomes from technical meetings, peer reviews, and program discussions.
• Subcontractor and Supplier Support
  • Support formation of Statements of Work (SOWs) and requirements documents.
  • Track subcontractor performance, deliverables, and alignment with program expectations.
  • Assist in monitoring supplier progress and documenting risks or issues.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree (Engineering or Business preferred) or equivalent experience.
• 2+ years of related experience with a bachelor's degree OR 4+ years in lieu of a degree
• Experience in project or program coordination, engineering, operations, or related disciplines.
• Strong communication skills for collaborating with technical staff and leadership.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Project).
• Ability to obtain PMP certification within 6 months.

Preferred Qualifications

• Engineering background or experience working with technical teams.
• Familiarity with financial tracking, cost analysis, or production environments.
• Experience in aerospace, defense, space, or electronics manufacturing environments.
• Working knowledge of schedule management and project planning tools such as Microsoft Project.
• Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
  
  

Benefits

Hired applicants may be eligible for benefits including but not limited to:

• Health benefits
  • Medical
  • Dental
  • Vision
  • Basic life with AD&D
  • Short term disability
  • Long term disability
  • Ancillary (Voluntary life with AD&D, accident, critical illness, hospital, and pet)
  • Spending accounts (HSA, FSA, and DCFSA)
• Paid time off
• Holidays
• 401(k) (including company match)
• Tuition reimbursement
• Leaves (Parental, maternity, and military)
• Annual discretionary bonus (for eligible roles)

Trident Systems reserves the right to change or assign other duties to this position.

Trident Solutions is an affirmative action and equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. To request reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, please contact recruiting@tridsys.com.

Pay Transparency: The contractor will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor's legal duty to furnish information. 41 CFR 60-1.35(c)