Job Description

ECS is seeking a Program Manager – DARPA BTO SETA Support to work onsite in our Arlington, VA office. Please Note: This position is contingent upon contract award.

ECS is pursuing a contract to provide Science, Engineering, and Technical Advisory (SETA) support to DARPA’s Biological Technologies Office (BTO) BTO is a unique technical office that leverages the power of biology as a technology to develop revolutionary capabilities for the Department of Defense. BTO’s mission focuses on ensuring U.S. technological dominance by pioneering breakthroughs in areas such as human performance, infectious disease defense, synthetic biology, neurotechnology, and resilient biological systems.

The Program Manager (PM) will provide overall leadership and operational management for ECS’s SETA support team. The PM will serve as the primary point of contact to BTO’s Assistant Director for Program Management (ADPM); Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR); and Contracting Officer (CO); and will oversee contract execution, staffing, and performance management. The PM will lead recruiting and staffing of specialized SETA personnel, ensure high-quality support to DARPA Program Managers, and address personnel or performance issues as they arise. The ideal candidate will understand DARPA’s technical office environment and be comfortable overseeing multidisciplinary technical teams supporting complex research programs.

Key Responsibilities:

• Serve as the primary interface with the Government ADPM, COR, and CO for all contract management matters.
• Manage and oversee contractor personnel, including performance management, issue resolution, and team coordination.
• Lead recruiting, hiring, and staffing efforts to ensure SETA positions are filled with highly qualified technical personnel.
• Maintain staffing continuity and proactively address personnel performance or availability issues.
• Ensure contractor staff deliver high-quality advisory support to DARPA Program Managers and maintain alignment with BTO priorities.
• Oversee overall contract operations, reporting, and workforce planning in a fast-paced DARPA R&D environment.

Qualifications

• Ability to obtain and maintain a DoD Secret clearance.
• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Business Administration, or a related field.
• Prior experience managing a SETA contract supporting a DARPA Technical Office within the past five (5) years.
• Experience serving as a Program Manager or Deputy Program Manager on a federal contract.
• Demonstrated experience recruiting, staffing, and managing specialized technical personnel.
• Strong understanding of the DARPA technical office environment and program management structure.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and organizational skills, with the ability to serve as the primary interface with Government stakeholders.