Program Manager Research Operations Jobs in Washington

Koniag Emerging Technologies (KET), a Koniag Government Services (KGS) company is seeking an exceptionally qualified Cyber Operations Program Manager to support the Chief Digital and Artificial Intelligence Office (CDAO) in accelerating the adoption of data, analytics, and Artificial Intelligence (AI) to generate decision advantage for the Department of War (DoW).

We offer competitive compensation and an extraordinary benefits package including health, dental and vision insurance, 401K with company matching, flexible spending accounts, paid holidays, three weeks paid time off, and more.

The successful candidate will serve as a senior technical leader providing executive-level oversight for multi-million-dollar portfolios, including Autonomy and Frontier AI. This role requires a subject matter expert (SME) capable of synchronizing complex cyber operations, managing the AI/ML lifecycle, and translating technical mission requirements into actionable strategic recommendations for senior Government decision-makers.

The Cyber Operations Program Manager shall perform the following duties, including but not limited to:

• Provide executive-level leadership and oversight for multi-million-dollar programs supporting the Department of Defense (DoD) and Intelligence Community (IC), with emphasis on AI/ML and advanced decision-support programs.
• Lead program planning, execution, and sustainment across multiple contracts, ensuring compliance with performance objectives, security requirements, and strategic mission goals.
• Serve as the primary interface with Government leadership, Combatant Commands, and interagency stakeholders on programmatic, technical, and operational issues.
• Direct and manage AI/ML lifecycle activities including requirements development, model deployment, integration, retraining, sustainment, and explainability monitoring.
• Oversee cross-functional teams (researchers, analysts, engineers, cyber specialists, and technical writers) ensuring delivery of classified and unclassified products under strict deadlines.
• Develop and enforce program governance frameworks including reporting, milestones, deliverable reviews, and contract performance metrics.
• Ensure program alignment with DoD AI Adoption Frameworks, RMF, DoD 8140/8570, Zero Trust Architecture (ZTA), and evolving IC standards.
• Drive risk management, mitigation planning, and resource allocation, ensuring maximum operational effectiveness and minimal disruption.
• Conduct strategic program analysis to support CDAO mission and national security priorities.
• Provide executive briefings to senior DoD and IC leadership, synthesizing technical details into actionable recommendations.
• Mentor and develop emerging program managers and team leads, fostering a culture of excellence, accountability, and innovation.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Business Management, Computer Science, Information Technology, or a related technical field is required.
• Master’s Degree in a relevant technical or business discipline is preferred.

Experience:

• Minimum 8 years of progressively higher leadership responsibility in staff support, consulting, or large-scale IT environment management.
• At least 5 years of direct experience in data, AI, machine learning, or cyber operations.
• Demonstrated experience working in complex DoD IT environments of a size and scope comparable to DISA or enterprise-level programs.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs):

• Deep understanding of IC and DoW AI/ML and Cyber mission priorities, classification protocols, and program protection requirements.
• Knowledge of AI/ML concepts including training pipelines, model lifecycle management, deployment, explainability, and adversarial resilience.
• Proficiency in program management methodologies (Agile, DevSecOps)
• Exceptional ability to craft and deliver executive-level briefings, strategic reports, and decision-support documentation.
• Skilled in stakeholder engagement, negotiation, and building partnerships across government, industry, and academia.
• Strategic Thinking: Exceptional ability to synthesize complex Cyber/AI/ML technical details into executive-level briefings, white papers, and decision-support documentation.
• Technical Proficiency: Deep understanding of AI/ML concepts, training pipelines, Zero Trust Architecture (ZTA), and cloud-native design patterns.
• Problem Solving: Strong analytical skills with the ability to translate complex technical requirements into actionable findings for non-technical audiences.
• Proven leadership managing large, diverse, and geographically dispersed teams in high-stakes environments.
• Ability to manage and prioritize competing mission requirements under tight deadlines.
• Strong analytical and strategic-thinking skills; able to translate complex technical topics into operational outcomes.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills with the ability to engage senior DoW/IC leaders.
• Ability to anticipate emerging threats, technologies, and mission needs to position programs for long-term success.

CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS

• DoD 8140/8570 Compliance: Baseline certification such as CISSP or equivalent IAM Level II/III strongly desired.
• Cloud Platform: Professional/Architect-level certification from at least one JWCC CSP (AWS, Azure, Google, or Oracle) is highly preferred.

SECURITY AND ACCESS REQUIREMENTS

• Must be a United States citizen.
• Must hold an active Top Secret (TS) security clearance with eligibility for access to Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI).
• Regular access to secure spaces and SCIFs is required

Our Equal Employment Opportunity Policy:
The company is an equal opportunity employer. The company shall not discriminate against any employee or applicant because of race, color, religion, creed, ethnicity, sex, sexual orientation, gender or gender identity (except where gender is a bona fide occupational qualification), national origin or ancestry, age, disability, citizenship, military/veteran status, marital status, genetic information or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law. We are committed to equal employment opportunity in all decisions related to employment, promotion, wages, benefits, and all other privileges, terms, and conditions of employment.

The company is dedicated to seeking all qualified applicants. If you require an accommodation to navigate or to apply to a position on our website, please contact Heaven Wood via e-mail at accommodations@koniag-gs.com or by calling 703-488-9377 to request accommodations. 

About our Company:
Koniag Government Services (KGS) is an Alaska Native Owned corporation supporting the values and traditions of our native communities through an agile employee and corporate culture that delivers Enterprise Solutions, Professional Services and Operational Management to Federal Government Agencies. As a wholly owned subsidiary of Koniag, we apply our proven commercial solutions to a deep knowledge of Defense and Civilian missions to provide forward leaning technical, professional, and operational solutions. KGS enables successful mission outcomes for our customers through solution-oriented business partnerships and a commitment to exceptional service delivery. We ensure long-term success with a continuous improvement approach while balancing the collective interests of our customers, employees, and native communities. For more information, please visit www.koniag-gs.com.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Veterans/Disabled. Shareholder Preference in accordance with Public Law 88-352