Deputy Program Manager, Test Range

Arlington, VAfull timeOn Site

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mid

$120k–$150k

H1B: no

Saronic Deputy Program Manager coordinates all aspects of test range events for autonomous surface vessels, ensuring safety and schedule adherence. Acts as the primary liaison between engineering, operations, government customers, and range authorities.

Responsibilities

Range scheduling & access
Serve as Saronic’s single point of contact to U.S. Government test ranges — including Cape Canaveral Space Force Station / Space Launch Delta 45 (Eastern Range), the Point Mugu Sea Range (NAWCWD, Naval Base Ventura County), and the Pacific Missile Range Facility (PMRF) — as well as other Major Range and Test Facility Base (MRTFB) sites as programs require.
Submit, track, and maintain range-use requests and Universal Documentation System (UDS) products (e.g., Program Introduction, Program Requirements, and Operations Requirements documents), and negotiate and lock test windows on range schedules.
Coordinate range instrumentation, tracking, optics, telemetry, and Time-Space-Position Information (TSPI) requirements, along with frequency/spectrum requests, with range personnel.
Manage schedule conflicts, slip planning, and re-baselining across multiple concurrent test campaigns.
Safety, ordnance & regulatory approvals
Develop and shepherd range safety packages, hazard analyses, mission rules, and launch commit criteria through range safety and flight safety boards.
Coordinate ordnance transportation, explosives safety siting, and Explosives Safety Quantity-Distance (ESQD) requirements in accordance with DoD and range explosives safety standards.
Coordinate ordnance/effector onload, staging, arming and de-arming, and disposition, including Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) and range safety support.
Support environmental and regulatory compliance, including Notices to Mariners and Airmen (NOTMAR/NOTAM) and marine-mammal and environmental monitoring requirements.
Test event planning & execution
Build and maintain the integrated schedule for each test event, spanning launcher hardware installation, checkout, vessel movement to the range, ordnance onload, execution, and de-installation.

Qualification

Bachelor’s degree in engineeringWorking knowledge of UPrior working relationships withMilitary background in surface warfareActive Secret clearance (or higher)Project management certification (e

Required

Bachelor’s degree in engineering, a physical science, logistics/operations management, or a related field — or equivalent military/operational experience in lieu of a degree.
3–6 years of experience in test range operations, missile/weapons or flight test, range safety, or military test and operations.
Working knowledge of U.S. Government test range scheduling, safety, and documentation processes.
Familiarity with ordnance and explosives handling and safety requirements.
Demonstrated ability to plan and coordinate complex, multi-stakeholder events against a fixed schedule and budget.
Excellent written and verbal communication, with the ability to brief both technical teams and Government leadership.
Willingness and ability to travel frequently (up to ~50–75% during active test periods) and to work on the waterfront and aboard vessels in an outdoor marine environment.

Preferred

Prior working relationships with, or direct experience at, the Point Mugu Sea Range / NAWCWD, PMRF, Cape Canaveral / SLD 45, Eglin / Gulf Range, White Sands Missile Range, or similar ranges.
Military background in surface warfare, aviation ordnance, gunner’s mate, EOD, range operations, or space/missile operations (U.S. Navy, USSF, USMC, Army, or USAF).
Experience with unmanned/autonomous surface vessels (USV/ASV) or other maritime platforms.
Familiarity with missile/effector integration, launchers, and fire-control interfaces.
Knowledge of the Universal Documentation System (UDS) and Major Range and Test Facility Base (MRTFB) processes.
Familiarity with DoD explosives safety standards (e.g., DoD 6055.09-M) and range safety documentation.
Active Secret clearance (or higher).
Project management certification (e.g., PMP) or equivalent demonstrated experience.