Program Tester Jobs in Connecticut (NOW HIRING)

ARKA Group L.P. is an advanced technologies company serving the U.S. military, intelligence community, and commercial space industry delivering next-generation solutions to support the national security space domain. ARKA has a 60-year legacy reaching back to the very beginning of our country’s space endeavors. We’re a legacy of mission excellence built on ground-breaking technologies.

Join the ARKA mission and discover your next career opportunity now!

Position Overview:

Our space portfolio develops and provides high reliability electronics, sensors and data processing products that protect the warfighter, provide the nation’s decision and policy maker’s essential information for strategic and tactical planning and policy operations.

At ARKA Group's Danbury Mission Technologies, the Program Manager is responsible for management of sophisticated Space programs to include successful delivery in accordance with cost, schedule, quality and technical performance requirements as governed by internal requirements and contractual flow-downs. The program manager leads the integrated product team to deliver a product of the highest quality and reliability. The program manager is the primary interface with the customer ensuring mission success.  

Responsibilities:

• Planning, direction, and control to meet cost, schedule, and performance goals throughout the program life cycle
• Effective management of a large size Integrated Product Team, resource planning, and financial execution
• Able to recognize and act on new business development opportunities
• Management, oversight and coaching to all direct program Cost Account Managers (CAMs)
• Working with other functional department leaders, defining, prioritizing, and developing program requirements and execution plans
• Managing and directing root cause and corrective efforts and failure review boards
• Responsible for all activities associated with large proposal preparation, proposal team performance, execution and OTD
• Lead monthly program reviews that identify EAC (estimate at completion) sustainment, financial and schedule performance, risk management burn down, root-cause and corrective action as well and continuous improvement
• Enforcing all processes for identifying, assessing, monitoring and mitigating risk throughout the program life cycle
• Understanding and implementing lean process improvement principles
• Interfacing with the Senior Leadership Team, General Management and external customers
• Supporting business development and portfolio managers to enhance sales and provide future opportunities for existing customers and solutions for new customers

Basic Qualifications: 

• Bachelor's of science degree in engineering, finance or business management
• 10+ years of experience in the department of defense (DoD) and space industry
• 5 - 7 years direct Program Manager experience in managing NRE program development, hardware assembly, integration, and testing related to defense and space projects
• Significant experience throughout the program lifecycle from development through sustainment to include proposal development, requirements decomposition, generation of system and subsystem statements of work (SOW) and subcontracts, risk management, and continuous improvement efforts including implementation for cost reduction and performance improvement efforts
• Experience with Earned Value Management (EVM), cost accounting and reporting; experience with metrics for assessing and reporting program progress, productivity and variance analysis
• Knowledge of finance, contracts, Bill of Materials (BoM)/pricing, export regulations, engineering, logistics, manufacturing and supply chain management
• High level of interpersonal skills and the ability to communicate with senior management 
• Excellent program and time management skills are essential
• Solid understanding of Space Program Management logistics, technical data, and associated deliverables
• Active U.S. Government Security Clearance (we will consider candidates who have been debriefed within the past 24 months and who are able to be crossed over within 3 months).  

Preferred Qualifications: 

• Advanced degree

Location: Danbury, CT

The position is located onsite at our facility in Danbury, CT. Located in beautiful Fairfield County, Danbury offers a diverse economy, wonderful parks, cultural attractions, an impressive mix of private and public educational institutions and a vibrant arts scene. Our facility is nestled among a remarkable selection of communities to call home all with varying price points to fit many different budgets. We’re close to New York City, Boston, and other major cities – great for day trips and weekend getaways. Our lovely seasons along with award-winning institutions, colleges, cultural events, and a genuine sense of community brings a diverse population to the beautiful state of Connecticut!

What We Offer:

• Comprehensive medical/vision/dental insurance packages
• Company contributions to qualified HSA accounts
• 401k retirement plan with industry leading company contributions
• 3 weeks of vacation accrual per year plus time off for sick leave and unscheduled life events
• 13 paid holidays
• Continuing education benefit for approved programs
• Annual bonus program based on company and employee performance
• Company paid life insurance, AD&D, Short-Term and Long-Term disability insurance
• 4 weeks paid Parental Leave
• Employee assistance program (EAP)

EHS/Environmental Requirements:

This job operates in a professional office environment. While performing the duties of this job, the employee routinely is required to use hands to keyboard, communicate, listen to, and interpret instructions and remain stationary for extended periods of the time. This would require the ability to move around the campus and occasionally move/lift items weighing up to 25 lbs. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job.

Applicants are invited to apply for a reasonable accommodation to perform the essential duties of the job. To apply, send a request to staffing@arka.org or contact 203-797-5000 and press 2 for Human Resources.

ITC & Security Clearance Requirements:

This position requires an active Secret U.S. Government Security Clearance.

Visa Restrictions:

No visa sponsorship is available for this position.

Pre-employment Screenings:

Employment with any ARKA companies in the U.S. is contingent upon satisfactory completion of several pre-employment requirements to include a credit check, background check, and drug screen.