Details:

• Frederick, MD
• This position allows for 2 days per week remote / work from home after training.
• Salary: $83,000 - 103,000/year
• US Citizen or GCH

This position reports to the Director of Programs and directly supports the Engineering Department. Responsibilities include:

• Lead projects that are heavily focused on product design, development, launch, sustainment, and maintenance service support.

• Lead projects by applying project management principles and best practices in the development, initiation, planning, execution, control and closing of programs/projects.

• Use Systems Engineering principles and best practices to guide the management of highly technical projects.

• Creating presentation slides and materials for various audiences from executive leadership to highly technical subject matter engineering experts and presenting the materials at meetings.

• Participate in, lead and/or convene preliminary, interim, and critical/final design review meetings.

• Develop or follow previously developed budget and scheduled projects including communicating the status, action items, and milestones for assigned projects.

• Develop new, improve interim, or follow existing quality control & management processes.

• Lead or provide significant support for product development through manufacture, launch and release.

• Responsible for providing meaningful feedback, contributions, recommendations, component assessment, efficiency evaluation, and quality reviews - as well as potentially completing portions of technical, engineering and design activities - directly related to projects.

• Provide guidance and contribute to development, preliminary engineering/design, and management of critical project and program parameters.

• Responsible for managing schedule, budget, and task details by utilizing project management tools such as reports, tracking charts, checklists, and project scheduling software. Preferably the candidate would be familiar with Arena for project control.

• Provide technical, engineering and business process expertise to the KEA and Customer teams on various project elements (such as recommendations, risks, alternatives, priorities, issues, etc.).

• Coordinate and assist in coordinating with external vendors and contractors to develop execution and management plans, designs, and technical proposals.

• Support proposal development including proposal input, including detailed technical project descriptions, legal risk and responsibility definitions, financial descriptions, and detailed supporting documentation of contractor quotes, and cost and savings options for leadership consideration.

• Identify and resolve potential complications or conflicts within the assigned project(s) and across all KEA projects and develop solutions for resolution.

• Candidate will be placed in the position of presenting themselves and KEA to the Customer and project stakeholders in a professional manner.

QUALIFICATIONS & REQUIREMENTS

• Bachelor’s degree with a technical - electrical, electronics, mechanical, chemical, industrial, etc. engineering - background.

• Minimum of five years of experience as the lead project manager on very technical, product development, engineering-type projects.

• Must have a strong technical background with understanding of technology research & development (R&D) and new products development (NPD).

• Must have experience with low-rate initial production (LRIP), full production, assembly, contract manufacturing, and testing projects.

• Must have excellent organizational, scheduling, time management and planning skills.

• Must be trained with experience in structured project management including phase gate process, new product development process tools, change management tools, supplier engagement and selection.

• Certified PMP or willing to obtain within one year of hire

• Must have experience with PLM software (Agile, Arena, other) for project management.

• Must have strong leadership skills, self-motivated, adaptable to a dynamic environment.

• Must have strong quality management, quality systems, and documentation capabilities.

• Must be familiar with ISO 9001, QMS and ISO 17025 accreditations.

• Must have strong verbal and written communication skills with the ability to support, motivate and inspire the team when challenges arise, and to provide praise and accolades when successes occur.

• Must be a strong multi-tasker with the ability to adjust quickly and effectively to changing priorities.

• Must have strong attention to detail with the ability to see the big picture to ensure all project elements are being considered and decisions are made proactively not reactively.

• Must have technical proposal development and product pricing (is preferred).

• Must have Scientific, Technical, Medical terminology acumen.

• Must have full working knowledge and use of Microsoft products: Word, Outlook, Excel, PowerPoint, File Explorer, Project (mandatory); Visio, Teams (preferred).

• Familiarity with optical systems, fiberoptics, lasers, electronics, PCBs preferred.

• Familiarity with post product launch sales, distribution, maintenance, and services support is desirable.