Deputy Program Manager Engineer/Project Lead

Acara Solutions seeks a Deputy Program Manager Engineer/Project Lead for our client in Scottsdale, AZ.

• Plans, authorizes, and monitors the engineering work (including providing strong leadership to ensure all events occur as planned).
• Staffs the project team (along with SEM and maybe the Director of Engineering) with the appropriate engineering personnel.
• Fosters cross-functional collaboration and builds project consensus.
• May be responsible for some of the following: performance, cost, scope, and schedule for all engineering efforts (including efforts that are subcontracted).
• Ensures that total system requirements are validated.
• Ensures that the total system is integrated, tested, and verified.
• Ensures all project deliverables (including documentation) are developed with high quality and delivered on time.
• Develops and maintains engineering plans as required by the project.
• Manages the engineering-related risks and opportunities of the project.
• Assists with developing and managing the project change management process.
• Ensures that all engineering processes used adhere to established engineering practices.
• Manages engineering resources (e.g., staff assignments, capital equipment, etc.), organizational interfaces, and engineering scope.
• Identifies, develops, analyzes, and reports engineering project measures.
• Conducts monthly engineering status reviews and provides material for the monthly program reviews.
• Implements effective corrective actions as needed.
• Manages the resolution of technical issues and ensures that they are communicated and resolved.
• Conducts lessons learned after each major phase of the project.
• The scope of projects is usually small to medium or has small to medium engineering teams, or may assist a DPME running a larger program.
• Helps provide a clear understanding of project goals.
• Ensures that team members are rewarded for their contributions.
• May provide performance feedback and management for the project team.
• Takes immediate & decisive action in dealing with technical & performance issues.
• Leads small proposals and ECPs with identification of cross-business unit strengths and technical shortcomings.
• Assists in ROM development.
• Creates an environment in which the impact of technology on the business is clearly recognized.

• Bachelor's Degree in Engineering or Science or Technology or Mathematics with 8 years of experience.
• Minimum of 8 years of engineering or technical project leadership experience.

• Master's Degree with 6 years of experience.
• Proven organizational and time management skills.
• Proven communication skills.
• Strong leadership skills.
• Proven team building and motivation skills.
• Proven conflict resolution and negotiation skills.
• Proven problem-solving skills in complex environments.
• Recognized internally as fully proficient in project management.
• Fully proficient ability to apply or develop highly advanced technologies, principles, theories, and concepts.
• Strong understanding of company policies and practices.
• Strong understanding of engineering processes and practices.
• Strong proficiency in planning and organization skills.
• Strong knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite of tools and Microsoft Project.
• Strong knowledge of various project life cycles, including agile.
• Strong proficiency in communicating issues, impacts, and corrective actions.
• Strong ability to easily and effectively communicate project topics to a diverse audience.
• Strong ability to clearly report relevant information.
• Strong ability to understand and apply project leadership principles, including SPI/CPI, Earned Value, Cost Account Management (CAM), and Statistical Process Controls for complex programs.
• Strong ability to anticipate technology, process, and skill needs.
• Demonstrates proactive leadership and has name recognition throughout the business unit.

Additional Information:

• Upon offer of employment, the individual will be subject to a background check and a drug screen.
• In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be needed to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the necessary employment eligibility verification form upon hire.
• Successful candidate must be able to obtain and maintain a Top Secret DoD security clearance.