Technical Program Manager – Fielding & Development (SATCOM)

Location: Aberdeen Proving Ground (APG), MD

Type: Remote + Travel to Aberdeen, Maryland

Salary Range: $139,452 – $158,000

Target Recruiting Area: Mid-Atlantic Region

About Fairwinds Technologies

Fairwinds Technologies is a U.S.-based engineering firm specializing in Satellite Communications (SATCOM), RF Transmission Systems, Network Design, Systems Integration, and Digital Signal Processing (DSP). We support Command, Control, Communications, and Computer (C4) systems in austere military environments, delivering advanced communications, networking, and IT solutions to defense and civilian agencies worldwide.

Position Overview

Fairwinds Technologies is seeking a Technical Program Manager (TPM) to lead execution across a portfolio of mixed‑signal R&D and IR&D efforts spanning RF systems, FPGA/firmware, software control, and integration/test activities. This role is focused on program execution, engineering cadence, and decision flow—ensuring technical teams are aligned, dependencies are managed, risks are mitigated, and engineering progress results in measurable, evidence‑based outcomes. The TPM is not the technical authority but must be technically fluent enough to follow architecture discussions, manage cross‑disciplinary dependencies, and effectively translate engineering activity into actionable plans and leadership‑ready reporting. This position supports multiple efforts, including DIU task orders and other international deployment initiatives, and reports under the R&D Programs Director.

Key Responsibilities

• Program Execution & Cadence: Lead program execution across multiple mixed‑signal R&D and IR&D efforts. Maintain integrated schedules, milestones, and cross‑team dependencies. Facilitate recurring engineering cadence (standups, reviews, integration readiness, risk reviews). Drive action closure and capture technical and programmatic decisions.
• Architecture Trade & Decision Support: Manage architecture trade studies, including option development, assumptions, decision criteria, and recommendation packages. Coordinate internal and customer‑facing technical reviews. Ensure assumptions, constraints, and decisions are documented and traceable.
• Program Coordination: Coordinate international logistics, shipping, customs, and export compliance with vendors and partners. Support travel planning and deployment team coordination. Interface with government reps, local partners, host-nation entities, and commercial site owners. Track equipment inventory and configuration across deployment sites. Assist in contingency planning for delays, access issues, or emergent operational risks.
• Logistics & International Operations: Coordinate international shipping, customs, and export compliance activities. Support travel planning and deployment team coordination. Interface with government representatives, local partners, and host organizations. Track equipment inventory and configuration at each site. Support contingency planning for deployment delays or site issues.
• Risk & Issue Management: Maintain deployment risk and issue tracking. Identify site readiness or partner execution risks and develop mitigation strategies. Elevate critical blockers affecting deployment schedules. Coordinate technical troubleshooting between engineering teams and on-site personnel.
• Financial & Reporting Support: Track labor and travel expenditures against plan. Support bi-weekly program status reporting. Assist with task order execution tracking. Maintain deployment documentation and configuration records.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree (or master’s degree) in Engineering, Telecommunications, Operations Management, Logistics or related fields.
• Minimum 8+ years of experience in program management, project management, or operations coordination.
• Experience managing cross‑disciplinary teams (RF, FPGA/firmware, software, integration/test).
• Proven ability to manage ambiguity and early‑stage technical development.
• Ability to manage multiple concurrent activities and stakeholders.
• Strong communication and organizational skills.
• Willingness to travel internationally.
• U.S. Citizenship and an active DoD Top Secret/ SCI security clearance (or ability to obtain).

Additional Preferred Qualifications

• Satellite communications, RF systems, networking, or telecom background.
• Familiarity with government or defense programs.
• Experience with logistics or supply chain coordination.
• Experience supporting DoD SBIR projects or similar government-funded R&D efforts.
• Experience with mixed‑signal, RF, FPGA‑based, or embedded systems programs.
• Familiarity with architecture trade studies and TRL‑based development.

Supervisory Responsibility

This position requires direct supervisory responsibility.

Work Environment

This position is primarily performed in a traditional office environment. Some remote/hybrid work is also possible.

Physical Demands

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools or controls; use fingers and hands to type or write; reach with hands and arms; talk or hear. Specific vision abilities required by the job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception.

Position Type/Expected Hours of Work

This is a full-time, exempt position, working Monday through Friday; 40 hours per work week; occasional evening and weekend work may be required as job duties demand. Some flexibility in actual work hours may be offered.

Travel

Must be willing to travel 10-25% (International deployment travel required).

Work Authorization/Security Clearance

Must be eligible to work in the US and possess a Secret clearance with the ability to obtain a Top Secret/SCI level clearance.

Other Duties

Please note that this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

AAP/EEO Statement

Fairwinds Technologies, LLC is an Equal Opportunity Employer – M/F/Veteran/Disability/Sexual Orientation/Gender Identity.

Why Join Us

Opportunity to work on cutting-edge technologies and innovative projects, including DoD SBIR initiatives. Collaborative and inclusive work environment. Competitive salary and benefits package. Professional development and growth opportunities.