Academic Project Manager Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Entry-Level Project Manager Innovatus Technology Consulting Location: San Diego, CA (on-site or hybrid as mission requirements dictate) Clearance: Active U.S. Secret clearance (or higher) required About Innovatus Technology Consulting Innovatus Technology Consulting is a Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB) headquartered in San Diego, California. Since 2012, we have delivered secure cloud engineering, cybersecurity, enterprise IT, Microsoft enterprise services, network support, and program management solutions primarily to Department of Defense and national security customers. We emphasize integrity, technical excellence, and mission impact. Position Overview We are seeking an Entry-Level Project Manager to support and help lead smaller projects or defined work packages on DoD and federal IT contracts. This role is ideal for professionals ready to take ownership of project coordination, scheduling, risk tracking, and stakeholder communication while working under the guidance of senior Project or Program Managers. You will help ensure deliverables, timelines, documentation, and compliance requirements are met in both classified and unclassified environments.Key Responsibilities
* Plan, coordinate, and track project activities, schedules, milestones, and deliverables for assigned work packages or smaller projects.
* Develop and maintain project documentation, including project plans, schedules, risk registers, action-item logs, status reports, and meeting minutes.
* Facilitate project meetings, prepare agendas, capture decisions and action items, and follow up to ensure timely completion.
* Monitor progress against baselines, identify potential issues or risks early, and escalate as needed while proposing practical mitigation steps.
* Support resource coordination, basic budget/expense tracking, and timesheet oversight under the direction of a senior PM.
* Ensure adherence to contract requirements, quality standards (e.g., ISO 9001), security processes (including RMF considerations), and company procedures.
* Serve as a primary point of contact for routine communications among internal teams, subcontractors, and government stakeholders.
* Maintain project repositories in SharePoint, Microsoft Teams, or similar tools and support configuration management of key artifacts.
* Assist with data calls, status reporting packages, and light proposal support as required.
* Contribute to continuous improvement of project management processes within a fast-paced defense IT environment.Required Qualifications
* Active U.S. Secret security clearance (minimum); higher clearances preferred.
* Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Project Management, Information Technology, Engineering, or a related field (or equivalent combination of education and experience).
* 0-3 years of professional experience in project coordination, junior project management, or related roles (government contracting, defense, or IT experience strongly preferred). Recent graduates with relevant internships or academic project leadership experience are encouraged to apply.
* Strong organizational, analytical, and time-management skills with the ability to handle multiple priorities and meet deadlines.
* Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Project preferred) and collaboration platforms (Teams, SharePoint).
* Excellent written and verbal communication skills; ability to interact professionally with technical teams, managers, and government customers.
* Demonstrated ability to work effectively in a team while taking ownership of assigned responsibilities.
* Ability to handle sensitive and classified information appropriately.
* U.S. citizenship required (due to clearance and contract requirements).Preferred Qualifications
* Experience supporting DoD, NIWC Pacific, NAVWAR, or similar federal IT, cloud, or cybersecurity programs.
* Familiarity with project management methodologies (Waterfall, Agile/Scrum basics, or hybrid) and tools such as Microsoft Project, Jira, or equivalent.
* Prior experience in a cleared environment or with government contracting processes (e.g., CDRLs, status reporting, risk management).
* CAPM, Google Project Management Certificate, or other entry-level project management credential (or willingness to obtain).
* Veteran status or experience working with military/defense customers is a plus.What We Offer
* Opportunity to build project management skills while supporting meaningful national security and defense missions.
* Mentorship from experienced Program and Project Managers.
* Competitive compensation commensurate with experience and clearance level.
* Benefits package typical for a growing SDVOSB (details provided during the hiring process).
* Collaborative culture that values ethics, expertise, professional growth, and military-aligned talent.
* Clear pathway for advancement into more senior project or program management roles