Range Scheduling SME

Location: Alexandria, VA
Security Clearance: Active Top Secret Clearance Required; SCI Eligibility Required
Employment Type: Full-Time
Position Overview
We are seeking a highly experienced Senior Program Manager / Range Scheduling & Optimization Lead to support Department of Defense (DoD) test and evaluation modernization initiatives. This position serves as a key advisor and leader responsible for improving range access, increasing test range capacity, and accelerating innovation across the DoD test enterprise.
The successful candidate will work closely with senior government leadership to lead strategic initiatives focused on range scheduling optimization, infrastructure modernization, digital engineering, and advanced technology integration. This role requires extensive experience in DoD test ranges, air operations, airfield management, and research, development, test, and evaluation (RDT&E) environments.
Key Responsibilities
Strategic Leadership & Program Management
• Support senior leadership in executing range access and scheduling optimization initiatives designed to accelerate innovation and improve mission effectiveness.
• Lead and manage complex, multi-organizational efforts focused on improving DoD test range capacity, efficiency, and operational effectiveness.
• Provide strategic direction for range scheduling modernization efforts and ensure alignment with current and future DoD testing requirements.
• Develop and maintain relationships with senior government, military, and industry stakeholders.
• Support executive-level decision-making through analysis, recommendations, and formal briefings.
Range Optimization & Infrastructure Development
• Lead infrastructure and technology development efforts that enhance range scheduling, asset utilization, and test resource availability.
• Conduct comprehensive test range gap analyses to identify capability shortfalls, operational constraints, and opportunities for improvement.
• Translate operational requirements into actionable technology solutions and investment priorities.
• Develop business cases, requirements documentation, and implementation strategies for range modernization initiatives.
• Oversee the evaluation and deployment of innovative tools, processes, and technologies to improve scheduling efficiency and increase range throughput.
Technology Innovation & Digital Transformation
• Promote and support the adoption of digital engineering, artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML), and advanced analytics across DoD testing environments.
• Assess emerging technologies and identify opportunities to improve range operations, scheduling optimization, resource allocation, and decision-support capabilities.
• Guide the development of scheduling tools and support systems tailored to the unique needs of multiple test domains and range environments.
• Foster competitive and innovative approaches to solving complex range scheduling and resource management challenges.
Stakeholder Engagement & Collaboration
• Collaborate closely with portfolio managers, program managers, range operators, and test organizations to ensure investments align with operational requirements.
• Build and sustain partnerships across DoD test ranges, military services, government agencies, federally funded research organizations, and industry partners.
• Facilitate cross-functional coordination among stakeholders to maximize resource sharing and mission effectiveness.
• Deliver executive-level presentations, status reports, and strategic recommendations to senior leadership.
Additional Responsibilities
• Support special projects and strategic initiatives as assigned by senior leadership.
• Travel as required to support program execution, stakeholder engagement, and site assessments.
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Required Qualifications
• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Aviation, Operations Management, Program Management, Business, or a related field. Master's degree preferred.
• Minimum of 12 years of directly relevant experience supporting DoD, military, or federal test and evaluation environments.
• Demonstrated experience in Air Operations, Airfield Management, Test Range Operations, Test Range Management, or related mission environments.
• Proven experience managing RDT&E programs, technology demonstrations, prototypes, or capability development initiatives.
• Experience leading large-scale, multi-organizational DoD infrastructure, modernization, or capability development projects.
• Strong understanding of DoD test and evaluation processes, range operations, scheduling challenges, and resource management.
• Exceptional analytical, organizational, administrative, and communication skills.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities in a dynamic and highly visible environment.
• Experience developing requirements, conducting capability assessments, and supporting strategic investment decisions.
• Active Top Secret Security Clearance with SCI eligibility.
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Desired Qualifications
• Experience supporting Major Range and Test Facility Base (MRTFB) organizations, Service Test Centers, or other DoD test and evaluation organizations.
• Experience implementing AI, machine learning, digital engineering, modeling and simulation, or advanced data analytics solutions.
• Strong team-building skills with the ability to collaborate across geographically dispersed organizations.
• Demonstrated success engaging and influencing senior government and military leadership.
• Outstanding executive briefing and presentation skills.
• Self-starter with the ability to work independently and proactively identify solutions.
• Strong attention to detail and problem-solving capabilities.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, including Excel, PowerPoint, Word, and Project.
• Experience with program budgeting, financial tracking, and resource management tools.