The posting
Job Description
Position Summary
Oceaneering’s Aerospace and Defense Technology (ADTech) Businesses integrate advanced robotics, precision manufacturing, and autonomous technologies with full lifecycle engineering to ensure reliable performance from subsea to space. Oceaneering Space Systems (OSS) is a business within ADTech that specializes in thermal protection solutions, flight-certified hardware and softgoods, space mission design, life support systems, and related technologies designed for the rigors of human spaceflight and robotic missions.
Reporting to the Director of Operations, the Program Manager is accountable for end‑to‑end delivery, financial performance, and risk management across a portfolio of programs. This role leads and develops a team of Project Managers to plan, execute, and deliver projects in partnership with prime contractors on programs for NASA, Department of Defense, and Commercial customers.
Candidate Profile
We are looking for candidates who operate with high autonomy and low drama. You should be self-starting and resourceful with the ability to lead high performing teams across technically complex and dynamic projects. You should be comfortable dealing with the ambiguity that comes with complex programs and be able to build trust with customers, team members, partners and Oceaneering leadership. You are comfortable switching gears between large government programs to fast-moving commercial projects to managing internal R&D projects. You recognize the importance of adhering to processes designed to safeguard the enterprise, while also questioning established norms and helping to update our work methods.
Responsibilities
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
Portfolio Leadership & Delivery
- Own portfolio outcomes for Safety, Quality, Schedule, Cost and Customer Satisfaction;
- Establish operating rhythms (PMR, risk reviews, financial reviews etc.) across programs, continually looking for ways to improve and streamline.
- Lead multiple Project Managers; set standards, coach performance, calibrate workload, and ensure consistent application of Oceaneering PM practices.
- Drive integrated planning across Engineering, PM, Supply Chain Management, Manufacturing, and Quality; remove blockers and align resources to demand signals.
Governance, Compliance & Procedures
- Ensure program execution complies with AS9100D QMS, including design control, procurement quality, manufacturing, supplier rating, configuration management, risk management, and document control.
- Uphold FAR/DFARS, CUI/ITAR/EAR requirements in program execution, working with Contracts and Export Compliance.
- Enforce Oceaneering Proposal Preparation and Contract Review processes in capture, bid/no bid, proposal development, and contract change control.
Financial
- Own portfolio financial targets; review CPI/SPI/VAC trends, recovery actions, and forecasting cadence; ensure PMs document, communicate and mitigate deviations.
- Partner with Finance to maintain rolling forecasts, backlog, cash flow, and cost controls; lead corrective actions to meet Operating Plan commitments.
Capture and Proposal Management
- Partner with the Growth Team to develop customer relationships and achieve order intake and growth targets.
- Assign Proposal Managers and manage resource levels across existing programs, proposals and internal projects (such as IRADs)
- Ensure proposals are coordinated, developed, reviewed, and approved in accordance with OSS and ADTech procedures and by proposal teams who are trained and competent at estimating and proposal writing.
- Ensure continuous feedback loop from portfolio execution back to Growth Team to enhance references for future proposals.
Stakeholder, Customer & Supplier Engagement
- Serve as primary escalation for customers and major suppliers; lead executive updates and drive corrective actions.
- Continually monitor customer relationship through regular management check-ins, occasional/as-required attendance at routine project meetings, and through established customer satisfaction monitoring.
- Support supplier quality, onboarding, and strategic sourcing in coordination with SCM leadership.
People & Succession
- Develop, coach and mentor PMs in line with business and program needs.
- Plan succession and coverage for critical roles; proactively mitigate retirement/attrition risks within program staffing models.
Qualifications
Minimum Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in engineering, business, or related field; advanced degree preferred.
- 10+ years in program/project management for aerospace/defense/space systems; 5+ years leading PMs or multi‑program portfolios.
- Demonstrated success with cost/schedule control, risk management, and recovery planning.
- Working knowledge of AS9100D QMS, FAR/DFARS, ITAR/EAR, and supplier quality processes.
- Experience supporting Bid Reviews/proposals within governed processes.
- Eligibility for U.S. security clearance; U.S. person under ITAR.
Core Competencies
- Strategic portfolio management; outcome‑oriented leadership across multiple PMs.
- Financial acumen and executive‑level communication skills.
- Customer and supplier relationship management; decisive escalation and resolution.
- Continual improvement mindset, evolving processes and ways of working.
Supervisory Responsibilities and Reporting Relationship
- This position has direct supervisory responsibility for a team of Project Managers
- Reports to OSS Director of Operations.
