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Program Manager Defense Jobs in Arlington, VA (NOW HIRING)

Program Manager - Defense Solutions - Onsite Position Come join our family as our Program Manager for a family of programs in Ashburn, VA As our Program Manager, you will work with the most ...

Program Manager - Defense Solutions - Onsite Position Come join our family as our Program Manager for a family of programs in Ashburn, VA As our Program Manager, you will work with the most i ...

Manager, Defense Growth

Washington, DC ยท On-site

$150K - $180K/yr

THE POSITION Saildrone is seeking a Manager, Defense Growth to join our Department of War (DoW ... Navy programs. * Active US Security Clearance is highly preferred. PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS * Work is ...

Program Manager

Ashburn, VA ยท Hybrid

$150K - $165K/yr

About Agile Defense At Agile Defense we know that action defines the outcome and new challenges ... Program Manager Location: Ashburn, VA Clearance Level: Secret, Must Have Clearance to Start ...

Program Manager

Ashburn, VA ยท On-site

$150K - $165K/yr

About Agile Defense At Agile Defense we know that action defines the outcome and new challenges ... Program Manager Location: Ashburn, VA Clearance Level: Secret, Must Have Clearance to Start ...

Program Manager

Ashburn, VA ยท Hybrid

$150K - $165K/yr

About Agile Defense At Agile Defense we know that action defines the outcome and new challenges ... Program Manager Location: Ashburn, VA Clearance Level: Secret, Must Have Clearance to Start ...

Program Manager

Columbia, MD ยท On-site +1

$140K - $190K/yr

Position Overview The Program Manager is responsible for leading all phases of TCOM's Lighter-Than ... Department of Defense security clearance * Willingness and ability to travel domestically and ...

About Aventra Aventra Defense Systems is a defense technology company developing and delivering ... Key Responsibilities Program Management & Operations - Support executive team in strategic planning ...

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Program Manager Defense information

See Arlington, VA salary details

$44.3K

$123.6K

$180.6K

How much do program manager defense jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 3, 2026, the average yearly pay for program manager defense in Arlington, VA is $123,629.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $91,500.00 and $152,400.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a program manager defense?

A Program Manager in Defense is responsible for overseeing and coordinating large-scale defense projects, which may involve military equipment, technology systems, or defense-related services. They ensure that projects are completed on time, within budget, and meet all specified requirements and regulations. This role often includes working with cross-functional teams, managing contracts, and liaising with government agencies or military branches. Strong leadership, communication, and organizational skills are essential, as is a thorough understanding of defense industry standards and protocols.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a program manager defense?

To thrive as a Program Manager in Defense, you need a strong background in project management, defense acquisition processes, and often a relevant degree such as engineering or business, with security clearance frequently required. Familiarity with tools like Microsoft Project, Earned Value Management Systems (EVMS), and DoD-specific platforms, as well as certifications like PMP or DAWIA, are typically expected. Exceptional leadership, negotiation, and communication skills set top performers apart by enabling them to manage diverse teams and stakeholders. These skills and qualifications ensure effective project execution, compliance with defense regulations, and successful delivery of critical programs within scope, budget, and timeline.

What are some common challenges a program manager defense faces when coordinating multidisciplinary teams?

Program Managers in the defense industry often encounter challenges such as balancing strict security requirements with timely project delivery, managing cross-functional teams that include engineers, analysts, and government stakeholders, and ensuring alignment with evolving defense regulations. Navigating complex stakeholder expectations and adapting to shifting project scopes are also frequent hurdles. Successful Program Managers proactively foster communication across teams and maintain detailed project documentation to address these challenges.

What is the difference between Program Manager Defense vs Project Manager Defense?

AspectProgram Manager DefenseProject Manager Defense
ResponsibilitiesOversees multiple related projects, strategic planning, and overall program successManages individual projects, ensuring specific objectives are met within scope, time, and budget
CertificationsTypically PMP, PgMP, or similar certificationsUsually PMP or CAPM certifications
Work EnvironmentOften in defense contractors, government agencies, or military settingsSimilar environments, focusing on specific project deliverables
FocusStrategic coordination and long-term goalsTactical execution of individual projects

While both roles require project management skills and certifications like PMP, the Program Manager Defense oversees multiple projects and aligns them with strategic objectives, whereas the Project Manager Defense focuses on managing specific projects to meet immediate goals.

What are popular job titles related to Program Manager Defense jobs in Arlington, VA?

For Program Manager Defense jobs in Arlington, VA, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Program Manager Defense jobs in Arlington, VA look for?

The top searched job categories for Program Manager Defense jobs in Arlington, VA are:

What cities near Arlington, VA are hiring for Program Manager Defense jobs?

Cities near Arlington, VA with the most Program Manager Defense job openings:

Infographic showing various Program Manager Defense job openings in Arlington, VA as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 77% Full Time, 18% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 95% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 4% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $123,629 per year, or $59.4 per hour.

Technical Program Manager - Defense

Applied Intuition Inc.

Washington, DC โ€ข On-site

$160 - $200/hr

Other

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 2 days ago

New


Job description

About Applied Intuition

Applied Intuition, Inc. is powering the future of physical AI. Founded in 2017 and now valued at $15 billion, the Silicon Valley company is creating the digital infrastructure needed to bring intelligence to every moving machine on the planet. Applied Intuition services the automotive, defense, trucking, construction, mining and agriculture industries in three core areas: tools and infrastructure, operating systems, and autonomy. Eighteen of the top 20 global automakers, as well as the United States military and its allies, trust the companyโ€™s solutions to deliver physical intelligence. Applied Intuition is headquartered in Sunnyvale, California, with offices in Washington, D.C.; San Diego; Ft. Walton Beach, Florida; Ann Arbor, Michigan; London; Stuttgart; Munich; Stockholm; Bangalore; Seoul; and Tokyo. Learn more at applied.co.

We are an in-office company, and our expectation is that employees primarily work from their Applied Intuition office 5 days a week. However, we also recognize the importance of flexibility and trust our employees to manage their schedules responsibly. This may include occasional remote work, starting the day with morning meetings from home before heading to the office, or leaving earlier when needed to accommodate family commitments.

About the role

We are looking for a Technical Program Manager in the D.C. area (we offer relocation) to help architect, manage complex projects, identify gaps, and implement best practices for customers. This position will involve intense collaboration with subject matter experts within Applied Intuition and the defense customer on a technical level in order to implement solutions for customer pain points.

At Applied Intuition, you will:
  • Execute projects as the single point of contact, track progress, and ensure successful completion of all the milestones, metrics, and final deliverables
  • Continuously engage customers to understand further pain points and areas for more project engagements
  • Provide regular touch points with Applied Intuition's internal teams to update on customer use cases and workflows that our current software solutions do not yet provide a solution for
  • Evaluate project timings with customers and adjust resource needs for customer pursuits based on their requirements and feedback discussion
  • Lead pursuits from customer RFQ release and create a detailed technical proposal by engaging all of the subject matter experts within Applied Intuition
We're looking for someone who has:
  • US citizenship, able to obtain a security clearance
  • 3+ years of industry experience leveraging data and technical knowledge to support software programs
  • A Bachelorโ€™s degree in Mechanical, Electronics, Data engineering, Computer Science or related fields
  • Familiarity with the DOD autonomy ecosystem
  • Handsโ€‘on experience managing complex projects
  • Ability to travel to customer site (25%)
Nice to have:
  • Active secret or top secret clearance
  • Experience working directly with DOD clients supporting DOD software use cases
  • Familiarity with the various data management and simulation providers available in the market and understands their advantages and disadvantages
  • Handsโ€‘on experience with data or simulation software used for autonomy
  • Knowledge in both software and hardware aspects of software development and testing such as high-performance computing and realtime test systems

Compensation at Applied Intuition for eligible roles includes base salary, equity, and benefits. Base salary is a single component of the total compensation package, which may also include equity in the form of options and/or restricted stock units, comprehensive health, dental, vision, life and disability insurance coverage, 401k retirement benefits with employer match, learning and wellness stipends, and paid time off. Note that benefits are subject to change and may vary based on jurisdiction of employment.

Applied Intuition pay ranges reflect the minimum and maximum intended target base salary for new hire salaries for the position. The actual base salary offered to a successful candidate will additionally be influenced by a variety of factors including experience, credentials & certifications, educational attainment, skill level requirements, interview performance, and the level and scope of the position.

Please reference the job postingโ€™s subtitle for where this position will be located. For pay transparency purposes, the base salary range for this full-time position in the location listed is: $160,000 to $200,000 USD annually.

Donโ€™t meet every single requirement? If youโ€™re excited about this role but your past experience doesnโ€™t align perfectly with every qualification in the job description, we encourage you to apply anyway. You may be just the right candidate for this or other roles.

Applied Intuition is an equal opportunity employer and federal contractor or subcontractor. Consequently, the parties agree that, as applicable, they will abide by the requirements of 41 CFR 60-1.4(a), 41 CFR 60-300.5(a) and 41 CFR 60-741.5(a) and that these laws are incorporated herein by reference. These regulations prohibit discrimination against qualified individuals based on their status as protected veterans or individuals with disabilities, and prohibit discrimination against all individuals based on their race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or national origin. These regulations require that covered prime contractors and subcontractors take affirmative action to employ and advance in employment individuals without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status or disability. The parties also agree that, as applicable, they will abide by the requirements of Executive Order 13496 (29 CFR Part 471, Appendix A to Subpart A), relating to the notice of employee rights under federal labor laws.

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