Program Manager

Senior Program Manager

Research College Park, MD Full Time

Location: College Park, MD

Category: Management

Schedule: Standard Day Shift, Monday-Friday

Clearance Requirement: Active TS/SCI with Polygraph

Education Requirement: Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Science, Management, or related discipline; PMP, FAC-P/PM Mid-Level, or DAWIA Level II certification

Experience Requirement: 10+ years

Compensation Range: $150,000 - $200,000 (based on experience)

Position Overview

TAP Engineering is seeking a Senior Program Manager to support leading-edge research and engineering initiatives across a broad range of physical science domains, including quantum computing, advanced computing systems, additive manufacturing, photonics, advanced materials, and microelectronics.

This role supports a government research laboratory environment where TAP provides highly skilled scientists, engineers, and technical staff to advance mission-critical national security efforts. The Senior Program Manager serves as the primary point of contact for the government customer and is responsible for overseeing all contract activities across a technically diverse and geographically distributed portfolio of research programs.

Key Responsibilities

Allocate and manage program resources, including staffing, facilities, materials, and funding

Lead recruitment, hiring, onboarding, and training efforts for program personnel

Develop, monitor, and report financial performance metrics, including earned value, estimate to complete, and funding utilization

Review and manage the Integrated Program Baseline and resource-loaded schedules

Identify, track, and mitigate risks and issues impacting program execution

Prepare and present program status reports, technical documentation, and executive-level briefings

Ensure compliance with all contractual, regulatory, and administrative requirements in coordination with contracts staff

Provide input to Quality Assurance Surveillance Plans and Program Performance Reviews

Coordinate logistics and planning for meetings, workshops, technical seminars, and conferences

Required Qualifications

Active TS/SCI clearance with Polygraph

10+ years of experience as a program or project manager leading technical programs valued at $10M+ annually

At least 1 year of experience managing funds and resources using Earned Value Management (EVM) or similar reporting frameworks

Program management certification (PMP, FAC-P/PM Mid-Level, or DAWIA Level II in Program Management)

Strong knowledge of Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR), Defense Federal Acquisition Regulations Supplement (DFARS), DoD 5000 series, and ICD 801 policies

Excellent leadership, communication, and organizational skills

Benefits Overview

TAP Engineering offers a comprehensive and competitive benefits package, including:

Paid Time Off: 15-25 days annually based on tenure, plus 11 paid holidays (never use-or-lose)

Retirement: Up to 15% employer contribution to a 401(k) through match and profit sharing

Medical Coverage: Free medical insurance for employees, with optional buy-up plans for dependents

Dental & Vision: Employer-paid plans with optional enhancements

Insurance Coverage: Employer-paid life insurance, AD&D, short-term disability, and long-term disability

Flexible Spending Accounts: Healthcare and dependent care FSAs

Tuition Reimbursement: Up to $36,000 per year for approved coursework

Additional Benefits: Employee Assistance Program, wellness incentives, discount programs, virtual care, prescription savings, and travel support

Performance-Based Rewards: Merit increases, performance bonuses, and referral bonuses

Clearance Requirement

This position requires the ability to obtain and maintain a Top Secret/SCI security clearance with Polygraph, based on a current Single Scope Background Investigation (SSBI/SBI). Clearance and polygraph processing will be completed by the U.S. Government.

Factors considered for U.S. Government security clearance eligibility include, but are not limited to:

U.S. citizenship

Favorable criminal history review

Education verification

Drug and substance use review

Credit history review

Subject interview

Additional Information

By submitting your resume for this position, you acknowledge and agree that TAP Engineering may share your resume and related application materials with its subsidiaries and affiliated companies for consideration for other available positions.

TAP Engineering is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other status protected by law.