Startup Program Manager Jobs in Colorado (NOW HIRING)

Who is Trace3? Trace3 is a leading Transformative IT Authority, providing unique technology solutions and consulting services to our clients. Equipped with elite engineering and dynamic innovation, we empower IT executives and their organizations to achieve competitive advantage through a process of Integrate, Automate, Innovate. Our culture at Trace3 embodies the spirit of a startup with the advantage of a scalable business. Employees can grow their career and have fun while doing it! Trace3 is headquartered in Irvine, California. We employ more than 1,200 people all over the United States. Our major field office locations include Denver, Indianapolis, Grand Rapids, Lexington, Los Angeles, Louisville, Texas, San Francisco. Ready to discover the possibilities that live in technology? Come Join Us! Street-Smart - Thriving in Dynamic Times We are flexible and resilient in a fast-changing environment. We continuously innovate and drive constructive change while keeping a focus on the "big picture." We exercise sound business judgment in making high-quality decisions in a timely and cost-effective manner. We are highly creative and can dig deep within ourselves to find positive solutions to different problems. Juice - The "Stuff" it takes to be a Needle Mover We get things done and drive results. We lead without a title, empowering others through a can-do attitude. We look forward to the goal, mentally mapping out every checkpoint on the pathway to success, and visualizing what the final destination looks and feels like. Teamwork - Humble, Hungry and Smart We are humble individuals who understand how our job impacts the company's mission. We treat others with respect, admit mistakes, give credit where it's due and demonstrate transparency. We "bring the weather" by exhibiting positive leadership and solution-focused thinking. We hug people in their trials, struggles, and failures - not just their success. We appreciate the individuality of the people around us. JOB SUMMARY: The Finance Analyst (Program Control Analyst) is a critical financial management professional embedded within the Program Management Office, responsible for providing comprehensive financial oversight, analysis, reporting, and compliance support across one or more government engineering service delivery contracts. This role serves as the financial backbone of the program team - partnering directly with the Program Manager, Contracts Manager, and engineering leads to track budgets, forecast costs, manage Earned Value Management (EVM) data, and ensure full compliance with FAR Part 31 cost principles, Cost Accounting Standards (CAS), and DCAA audit requirements. The Finance Analyst translates complex program financial data into clear, actionable insights that drive sound program execution decisions and protect the company's financial position throughout the contract lifecycle. This role demands deep proficiency with government contract accounting systems, strong analytical skills, and the ability to thrive in a dynamic, deadline-driven defense program environment. The successful candidate will be a proactive, detail-oriented professional with an uncompromising commitment to data accuracy, audit readiness, and the highest standards of financial integrity. SUMMARY OF ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS: * Develop, maintain, and continuously update the program financial model, including the Performance Measurement Baseline (PMB), control account budgets, Estimate to Complete (ETC), and Estimate at Completion (EAC) for all assigned contracts and task orders; ensure all budget structures align with the approved contract Work Breakdown Structure (WBS). * Prepare and submit monthly Contract Performance Reports (CPRs) and/or Integrated Program Management Reports (IPMRs) in full compliance with contract data requirements, including Format 1 (WBS Element Summary), Format 2 (Organizational Categories), Format 3 (Baseline), Format 4 (Staffing), and Format 5 (Explanations and Problem Analysis). * Generate monthly program financial status reports encompassing actuals vs. budget variance analysis, CPI/SPI trending, EAC-at-completion projections, and management reserve status - distributed to the Program Manager, senior leadership, and the government Contracting Officer's Representative (COR) as required by the contract. * Monitor, reconcile, and analyze program labor charges, material costs, subcontractor invoices, Other Direct Costs (ODCs), and indirect cost allocations; identify and resolve mischarges and coding errors within required timeframes. * Support the preparation of program financial inputs to Monthly Status Reports (MSRs), Program Management Reviews (PMRs), and Quarterly Business Reviews (QBRs), providing accurate financial data packages and executive-level narrative summaries. * Track contract funding obligations, expenditure burn rates, and period-of-performance funding ceilings; proactively notify the Program Manager and Contracts Manager when funding levels approach defined alert thresholds (75%, 85%, and 100%), ensuring no contract overrun or unauthorized commitment occurs. * Support the annual program budgeting and re-planning process; develop bottom-up cost estimates, apply forward pricing rates, and phase budget plans in alignment with contract milestones, resource plans, and period-of-performance requirements. * Review and validate subcontractor invoices for accuracy, allowability, allocability, and alignment with subcontract terms and the master program budget; coordinate closely with the Contracts Manager on invoice approvals, funding certifications, and dispute resolution. * Assist in the development of cost volumes for competitive proposal efforts, task order bids, contract modifications, and Requests for Equitable Adjustment (REAs), including basis of estimate (BOE) development, government forward pricing rate application, and price-to-win analysis support. * Manage and track management reserve and undistributed budget balances; ensure all PMB changes are controlled, documented, and approved. * Maintain complete, organized, and audit-ready financial records and supporting documentation for all contract transactions in accordance with FAR Subpart 4.7 retention requirements; ensure all records are accessible and traceable for DCAA and DCMA review at any time. REQUIRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE: * Strong working knowledge of FAR Part 31 cost principles, applicable Cost Accounting Standards (CAS), and DCAA audit procedures, documentation standards, and requirements. * Proficiency in government contract accounting systems: Deltek Costpoint, JAMIS Prime, or equivalent government ERP/accounting platform required; experience with IBM Cognos, Hyperion, or similar enterprise financial reporting tools is a plus. * Advanced Microsoft Excel skills: pivot tables, complex nested formulas, financial modeling, variance analysis automation, and large-dataset management; experience with Power BI or Tableau for financial dashboard and visualization reporting is preferred. * Demonstrated experience working across multiple government contract types: Cost-Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF), Cost-Plus Award Fee (CPAF), Firm-Fixed-Price (FFP), Time-and-Materials (T&M), and IDIQ/Task Order contract vehicles. * Understanding of indirect cost pool structures (fringe, overhead, G&A, material handling), forward pricing rate agreements (FPRAs/FPRRs), and their accurate application to program Analytical Excellence: Exceptional quantitative and analytical skills; comfortable synthesizing large volumes of financial data into concise, executive-ready summaries and actionable recommendations for Program Managers and senior leadership. * Communication: Strong written and verbal communication skills; able to explain complex financial concepts, variance drivers, and forecast implications clearly to Program Managers, engineers, and senior leaders who may not have deep financial backgrounds. * Attention to Detail: High degree of precision and a zero-defect mindset with respect to financial data accuracy, report formatting, and audit-ready documentation. * Proactive Problem Solving: Identifies financial risks, variances, and compliance concerns before they escalate into program issues; drives issues to resolution without waiting to be directed. * Cross-Functional Collaboration: Builds effective and trusted working relationships across Program Management, Contracts, Engineering, Human Resources, and corporate Finance functions. * Integrity & Discretion: Handles sensitive program financial data, pricing strategies, and competitive intelligence with the highest level of professional ethics and confidentiality. * Deadline Management: Demonstrated ability to manage multiple competing priorities simultaneously in a high-tempo program environment without sacrificing data quality or reporting accuracy. * Prior experience as a Program Control Analyst, Financial Analyst, or Cost Analyst on a DoD engineering services, Operations, Maintenance & Sustainment (OM&S), C4I, or technical support contract of comparable scope and complexity. * Familiarity with NORAD, U.S. Air Force, U.S. Space Force, or Intelligence Community program financial environments, reporting cultures, and customer expectations. * Experience developing and defending cost volumes for competitive DoD proposals, including IDIQ task order bids, contract re-compete efforts, and sole-source contract modifications. * Background spanning both program-level and corporate-level government contract finance, including demonstrated understanding of indirect rate structure, fringe benefit pools, overhead allocations, G&A, and award/incentive fee mechanics. * Familiarity with CPARS financial performance data and how program cost performance (CPI/SPI trends, EAC accuracy) translates to past performance assessments and future source selection standing. * Experience processing, reviewing, and approving WAWF invoices and supporting government payment milestones in a p