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Program Manager Defense Jobs in Secaucus, NJ (NOW HIRING)

Mgr I- Program Eng

Wayne, NJ · On-site

$145K - $246K/yr

Department of Defense (US DoD), U.S. intelligence agencies, and U.S. allies which stands for ... We are looking for a Program Engineering Manager (PEM) to support various programs in our Wayne NJ ...

Lead program management for TDS Compliance initiatives, ensuring strong governance, disciplined ... Strong understanding of Compliance operating models, regulatory expectations, 2nd Line of Defense ...

New

Clifton, NJ Job Schedule: 9/80-Every Other Friday off The Program Manager is responsible for ... defense systems, and a high level of proficiency in EVM to effectively manage cost and schedule ...

Mgr III- Programs

Wayne, NJ · On-site

$153K - $260K/yr

Lead design, development and qualification of a new commercial product for defense customers. * Provide leadership to a team of program managers. * Manage both internal and customer funding streams.

Mgr III- Program Eng

Totowa, NJ · On-site

$153K - $260K/yr

BAE Systems Electronic Solutions is looking for a Program Engineering Manager (PEM). The PEM leads ... S. subsidiary of BAE Systems plc, an international defense, aerospace and security company which ...

Mgr I- Program Eng

Totowa, NJ · On-site

$145K - $246K/yr

As a Program Engineering Manager you will play a critical role in ensuring the successful delivery ... S. subsidiary of BAE Systems plc, an international defense, aerospace and security company which ...

Showing results 21-40

Program Manager Defense information

See Secaucus, NJ salary details

$39.1K

$109.3K

$159.6K

How much do program manager defense jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 19, 2026, the average yearly pay for program manager defense in Secaucus, NJ is $109,253.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $80,800.00 and $134,700.00 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 job categories do people searching Program Manager Defense jobs in Secaucus, NJ look for?

The top searched job categories for Program Manager Defense jobs in Secaucus, NJ are:

What cities near Secaucus, NJ are hiring for Program Manager Defense jobs?

Cities near Secaucus, NJ with the most Program Manager Defense job openings:

Infographic showing various Program Manager Defense job openings in Secaucus, NJ 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 96% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 2% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $109,253 per year, or $52.5 per hour.

Mgr I- Program Eng

BAE Systems

Wayne, NJ • On-site

$145K - $246K/yr

Full-time

Posted 12 days ago


BAE Systems rating

8.4

Company rating: 8.4 out of 10

Based on 150 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

10th of 49 rated military and defense


Job description


Our C4ISR team plays a key role in the military defense and operational stability of governments, businesses, and societies worldwide today, and indications are that it will only become more important moving forward, given its growing role in how decisions are made, threats are addressed, and agreements are enforced. The world's nations are in a race for C4ISR superiority - a significant national advantage - and the ability to lead through innovation could determine who wins. C4ISR is an abbreviation created and used by the U.S. Department of Defense (US DoD), U.S. intelligence agencies, and U.S. allies which stands for "Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance.
We are looking for a Program Engineering Manager (PEM) to support various programs in our Wayne NJ facility in our Adaptive Communications & Sensing (AC&S) Tactical Data Link (TDL) product line. The candidate demonstrates proven execution of a full-scale program through excellent risk assessment, outstanding leadership, and strong decision making with solid analysis skills. The PEM provides technical responsibility and leadership to cross-functional teams through the design, development, fielding, and support of the system. The PEM represents the technical team to project managers, functions, and executive leadership, and provides responsibilities for developing the overall technical solution for a product or system. The PEM is the decision authority between the Chief Engineer and engineering team and is responsible for developing the overall technical solution for the system. The PEM is expected to influence the design, development, test and verification. In addition, the PEM is responsible for identifying and communicating technical risks and opportunities between the design team, Chief Engineer and program management team.
The PEM will lead the engineering effort for the entire program ensuring the solution meets customer programmatic and technical requirements within the allocated engineering cost and schedule.
Specific job responsibilities include, but are not limited to:
  • Partner with the Program Manager, Chief Engineer and functional staff to develop and deliver products and systems that meet our customer needs.
  • Partner and collaborate across all the disciplines, functions, and business areas to effectively support engineering across the enterprise.
  • Meet cost, schedule and technical performance for projects through their life cycle.
  • Ensure preparation and approval of competitive engineering bids that are executable, meet established price-to-win targets, and grow the business.
  • Serve as overall customer (internal / external) engineering point of contact for the project.
  • Identify and support the development of critical skills and resources.
  • Develop and maintain measures related to engineering performance.
  • Ensure proper application of process based on the size and complexity of the project.
  • Establish goals, performance standards, budgets and staffing plans.
  • Improve processes and skills that accelerate program execution and improve quality.
  • Lead and develop others.

This position requires collaborating and interfacing with Engineering, Operations, Business Development, Contracts, Subcontracts, Finance, and Procurement functions within the company as well as with internal and external customers to ensure that the portfolio's financial, schedule and technical objectives are met and that the highest level of customer satisfaction is achieved.
Because this role involves a combination of collaborative/in-person and independent work, it will take the form of a hybrid work format. It will require mostly in-person, on-site work with the potential for allowing some remote work.
Key aspects of this role:
  • Accountability for all aspects of program initiation, planning and execution (cost, schedule, technical performance, quality, customer engagement, etc.) and ensuring program commitments are met.
  • Responsibility and accountability to the Business for program execution, profitability, timeliness, and overall success. Make decisions that are cost effective to the company and ensures assigned projects meet financial commitments for orders, sales, profit and cash flow.
  • Creation of new business strategies and the development of strategic and financial plans
  • Understanding of life cycle management
  • Working with various contract types
  • Earned Value Management
  • Communication with clear, concise messaging to teams, internal leadership and customers

About BAE Systems Electronic Systems
BAE Systems, Inc. is the U.S. subsidiary of BAE Systems plc, an international defense, aerospace and security company which delivers a full range of products and services for air, land and naval forces, as well as advanced electronics, security, information technology solutions and customer support services. Improving the future and protecting lives is an ambitious mission, but it's what we do at BAE Systems. Working here means using your passion and ingenuity where it counts - defending national security with breakthrough technology, superior products, and intelligence solutions. As you develop the latest technology and defend national security, you will continually hone your skills on a team-making a big impact on a global scale. At BAE Systems, you'll find a rewarding career that truly makes a difference. Electronic Systems (ES) is the global innovator behind BAE Systems' game-changing defense and commercial electronics. Exploiting every electron, we push the limits of what is possible, giving our customers the edge and our employees opportunities to change the world. Our products and capabilities can be found everywhere - from the depths of the ocean to the far reaches of space. At our core are more than 14,000 highly talented Electronic Systems employees with the brightest minds in the industry, we make an impact - for our customers and the communities we serve.
This position will be posted for at least 5 calendar days. The posting will remain active until the position is filled, or a qualified pool of candidates is identified.
Required Skills and Education
  • Requires qualified candidates to hold an active Secret security clearance.
  • Bachelor's Degree in Science, Engineering, or Math and 9+ years engineering development/production work experience or Master's Degree with 7+ years of engineering development/production experience
  • Knowledge of EVMS, program scheduling, task codes, program metrics, and staffing determinatio
  • Project engineering management including organizational design, planning, estimating, design management, and product verification.
  • Experience leading diverse multi-disciplinary teams in the solution of complex technical problems
  • Demonstrated leadership skills (soft skills, strategic thinking, business acumen, building teams, building customer relationships, leading the entire engineering team).
  • Monitoring the project to ensure work scope, schedule, and budget are well defined, maintained, and met
  • Defining, generating, and reviewing project requirements and documentation
  • Performing or guiding technical studies to refine project requirements
  • Providing the coordination between resource managers/supervisors and the program team for staffing needs
  • Strong planning and organizational skills with the ability to diagnose, resolve complex problems and to develop improved methods to increase program efficiency.
  • Proven written and oral communication skills, including presentation skills.
  • Strong team building skills that enable collaboration and coordination within and across teams, functions, and other business units.
  • Strong presentation and organizational skills
  • Strong communication skills with ability to influence and shape the behavior and performance of teams executing complex requirements
  • Demonstrates business acumen and presence at the leadership level
  • Monitoring the project to ensure work scope, schedule, and budget are well defined, maintained, and met
  • Defining, generating, and reviewing project requirements and documentation
  • Performing or guiding technical studies to refine project requirements
  • Providing the coordination between resource managers/supervisors and the program team for staffing needs

Preferred Skills and Education
  • 4+ years' experience as a Program Engineering Manager (PEM), Program Manager (PM), or Technical Project Manager
  • Knowledge of defense contract types
  • Experience in all the phases of the program life cycle
  • Experience as a Cost Account Manager (CAM) in an Earned Value Management System (EVMS)
  • Requires qualified candidates to hold an active Secret security clearance.
  • Project Management Professional (PMP) certification
  • Experience in developing product roadmaps
  • Experience in proposal development activities and capturing new business
  • Experience in structured problem solving with demonstrated ability to systematically determine root cause
  • Domain Knowledge, UHF/VHF/HF communication solutions experience, including NSA certification
  • Ability to obtain a Top Secret / SCI level of clearance

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