Research and Development Project Manager

Job Description

Job Description

Research and Development Project Manager

C5T Corporation is a Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business headquartered at Scott AFB, Illinois. Founded in 2005 by three veterans, we value practical, innovation-minded people with a passion for mission success. We bridge the gap between operational and technical domains.

Our core values: Integrity... Excellence... Patriotism

C5T is seeking an experienced Program Manager to lead a multi-disciplinary team on an action research effort in support of the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) and US Transportation Command (USTRANSCOM). The Program Manager will partner with Principal Investigators to design, execute, and manage projects addressing complex operational and organizational challenges related to Joint Deployment and Distribution Enterprise (JDDE) mission assurance and operational planning. Location: Scott Air Force Base, IL (USTRANSCOM HQ). Work will primarily take place in government workspaces, with additional time in company offices and occasional telework as mission needs allow.

Key responsibilities include:

• Build and maintain relationships with military leaders, interagency partners, and stakeholders.
• Maintain familiarity with DoD and USTRANSCOM mission assurance policies.
• Define program objectives, scope, and success criteria in collaboration with senior leadership.
• Collaborate with research teams and stakeholders to design and conduct organizational improvement initiatives.
• Track implementation of recommendations, capturing lessons learned for future efforts.
• Oversee multiple concurrent projects, ensuring timeliness, budget compliance, and mission alignment.
• Serve as the primary contact for program stakeholders, including senior leaders.
• Facilitate program review meetings, workshops, and working groups.
• Work with Principal Investigators to translate research findings into actionable recommendations.
• Identify and document opportunities for future research.
• Plan and conduct after-action reviews for continuous improvement.
• Maintain program documentation in compliance with records management, classification, and security requirements.
• Perform program reporting to meet company and customer needs.
• Perform supervisory duties for contract personnel.
• Respond to internal business process information requests.

Required Qualifications:

• 10+ years of relevant DoD, military, or interagency experience, including 5+ years in program/project management.
• Bachelor's degree in a relevant field.
• Proven leadership and ability to manage multidisciplinary teams in a DoD environment.
• Strong strategic thinking skills for aligning research with mission priorities.
• Exceptional communication and presentation skills.
• Experience in budget and contract management.Substantial knowledge of USTRANSCOM mission, structure, and environment.
• Proficiency with Microsoft 365.
• Experience engaging military/government clients at O-6 level or above.
• Experience managing personnel, budgets, and contracts under federal regulations.
• Ability to deliver high-quality work under tight deadlines.
• Ability to obtain a Top-Secret security clearance.

Desired Qualifications

• Advanced knowledge of USTRANSCOM.
• Experience in organizational improvement or research-based assessments.
• PMP training or certification.
• Familiarity with defense resourcing, acquisition, and policy processes.
• Familiarity with transportation and logistics planning.
• Understanding of research program requirements at USTRANSCOM.
• Experience with JIRA or similar agile project management tools.
• Current DoD security clearance.

Benefits:

To show our commitment to our employees and their families, we offer:

• Competitive salaries
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance options.
• 401(k) with company match.
• Flexible Spending Account (FSA).
• Supplemental benefits (accident, critical illness, hospital indemnity, etc.).
• Company-paid life insurance.
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP).
• 10 paid holidays annually.
• Responsible Paid Time Off (RPTO): flexible vacation and personal leave aligned with mission needs.

Equal Employment Opportunity

• C5T is a merit-based employer committed to affirmative action and nondiscrimination for all qualified applicants, including individuals with disabilities and protected veterans, in accordance with Section 503 and VEVRAA.