TSA Program Manager

Battelle delivers when others can't. We conduct research and development, manage national laboratories, design and manufacture products and deliver critical services for our clients-whether they are a multi-national corporation, a small start-up or a government agency.

We recognize and appreciate the value and contributions of individuals from a wide range of backgrounds and experiences and welcome all qualified individuals to apply.

Job Summary

Battelle is seeking an experienced Program Manager to lead execution of work supporting the Transportation Security Administration's (TSA) Open Architecture (OA) initiative, advancing a secure, interoperable, vendor-agnostic transportation security screening ecosystem. The program spans a broad, multi-year portfolio of testing, evaluation, standards, data management, and systems-integration activities executed nationwide. This is a hybrid position located in the Washington, DC metropolitan area (National Capital Region).

This is a high-impact leadership role for a professional with deep experience managing complex Federal programs, leading multidisciplinary technical teams, and delivering high-quality performance in regulated, mission-critical environments. The successful candidate will serve as the single program-level point of contact and will be responsible for program execution, staffing, quality, compliance, customer engagement, and overall contract performance across multiple concurrent Mission Support Areas (MSAs).

Responsibilities

• Serve as the single program-level point of contact and lead execution across all Open Architecture Mission Support Areas, ensuring delivery aligns with contract scope, schedule, quality, staffing, and cost expectations.
• Serve as the primary interface with TSA stakeholders - including the Contracting Officer (CO), Contracting Officer's Representative (COR), and Government technical leads - as well as industry, OEM, and standards-body stakeholders, while maintaining disciplined scope control and contract compliance.
• Direct and manage cross-functional matrixed teams supporting DICOS data management, detection algorithm and evaluation-framework activities, Common Workstation standardization, Threat Image Projection, image quality standards, and open architecture development on a nationwide basis.
• Develop, maintain, and execute the Program Management Plan (PMP) and an Integrated Master Schedule (IMS) for each MSA, managing performance, risk, staffing, and subcontractor coordination against them.
• Plan and lead program kickoff meetings, quarterly Program Management Reviews (PMRs), and recurring conference calls; prepare and deliver technical progress reports, weekly IMS/POA&M updates, and the Monthly Contractor Status Report (CSR).
• Maintain the Program Deliverables List (PDL) and ensure timely, compliant submission and secure storage of all contract deliverables.
• Coordinate program logistics, Government-furnished equipment (GFE)/Government-furnished information (GFI), site access, and travel required to support test, evaluation, and integration activities.
• Ensure full compliance with applicable TSA, DHS, FAR, HSAR, security, privacy, and information-handling requirements, including Zero Trust and cybersecurity (RMF) safeguards for program data, algorithms, and systems.
• Build and sustain a strong workforce by overseeing staffing plans, recruitment, retention, and human-resource management, and ensure workforce readiness across a diverse set of technical environments.
• Oversee safety and quality performance and ensure implementation of robust quality-management approaches across laboratory, checkpoint, and field environments.
• Support program financial and contractual discipline, including invoice support, labor-category alignment, and documentation readiness, as well as internal financial forecasting and reporting.
• Coordinate closely with subcontracting partners to align scope, cost, schedule, and quality, and lead orderly program transition-in and transition-out activities.

Key Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in engineering, physical sciences, systems engineering, operations, program management, or a related field.
• A minimum of ten (10) years of program management experience, including at least five (5) years specializing in managing similar Federal programs of similar size and complexity.
• Familiarity with TSA, security screening technologies, and associated OA initiatives.
• Strong understanding of program controls, risk management, performance management, and contract compliance for large Federal programs.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including experience engaging with Federal clients and senior stakeholders.
• Ability to travel as required to support program needs, up to 25%.
• Sole US Citizenship with an active SECRET clearance or the eligibility and willingness to obtain and maintain a SECRET clearance, and to obtain and maintain TSA Suitability.

Preferred Qualifications

• Advanced degree in a relevant technical or management discipline.
• Active Project Management Professional (PMP) certification.
• Direct experience with security screening open architecture concepts, including DICOS, the Open Platform Software Library (OPSL), third-party detection algorithm evaluation, Common Workstation/Common GUI, Threat Image Projection, and image quality standards (e.g., ANSI N42.45, IEEE N42.59).
• Experience with developmental test and evaluation (DT&E), systems integration, and cybersecurity/Zero Trust (NIST RMF) in mission-critical Federal environments.
• Experience working with airports and managing airport-based logistics and installations.

Compensation Data

Battelle is committed to fair and equitable compensation practices. The salary range for this role is $154,500 - $220,200 per year, in addition to our comprehensive benefits package. A candidate's salary is determined by various factors, including but not limited to education, relevant work experience, skills, and certifications. Salary ranges may vary based on geographic location and market conditions.

Benefits: Live an Extraordinary Life
We care about your well-being, not just on the job. Battelle offers comprehensive and competitive benefits to help you live your best life.

• Balance life through a compressed work schedule: Most of our team follows a flexible, compressed work schedule that allows for every other Friday off-giving you a dedicated day to accomplish things in your personal life without using vacation time.
• Enjoy enhanced work flexibility, including a hybrid arrangement: You have options for where and when you work. Our Together with Flexibility model allows you to work 60% in-office and 40% remote, with Monday and Tuesday as common in-office days, dependent on team and position needs.
• Take time to recharge: You get paid time off to support work-life balance and keep motivated.
• Prioritize wellness: Stay healthy with medical, dental, and vision coverage with wellness incentives and benefits plus a variety of optional supplemental benefits.
• Better together: Coverage for partners, gender-affirming care and health support, and family formation support.
• Build your financial future: Build financial stability with an industry-leading 401(k) retirement savings plan. For most employees, we put in 5 percent whether you contribute or not, and match your contributions on top of that.
• Advance your education: Tuition assistance is available to pursue higher education.

A Work Environment Where You Succeed
For brilliant minds in science, technology, engineering and business operations, Battelle is the place to do the greatest good by solving humanity's most pressing challenges and creating a safer, healthier and more secure world.

You will have the opportunity to thrive in a culture that inspires you to:

• Apply your talent to challenging and meaningful projects
• Receive select funding to pursue ideas in scientific and technological discovery
• Partner with world-class experts in a collaborative environment
• Nurture and develop the next generation of scientific leaders
• Give back to and improve our communities

Vaccinations & Safety Protocols

Battelle may require employees, based on job duties, work location, and/or its clients' requirements to follow certain safety protocols and to be vaccinated against a variety of viruses, bacteria, and diseases as a condition of employment and continued employment and to provide documentation that they are fully vaccinated. If applicable, Battelle will provide reasonable accommodations based on a qualified disability or medical condition through the Americans with Disabilities Act or the Rehabilitation Act or for a sincerely held religious belief under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (and related state laws).

Battelle is an equal opportunity employer. We provide employment and opportunities for advancement, compensation, training, and growth according to individual merit, without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy), national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, age, genetic information, disability, veteran-status veteran or military status, or any other characteristic protected under applicable Federal, state, or local law. Our goal is for each staff member to have the opportunity to grow to the limits of their abilities and to achieve personal and organizational objectives. We will support positive programs for equal treatment of all staff and full utilization of all qualified employees at all levels within Battelle.

The above statements are intended to describe the nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this job. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, activities and skills required of staff members. No statement herein is intended to imply any authorities to commit Battelle unless special written permission is granted by Battelle's Legal Department.

For more information about our other openings, please visit www.battelle.org/careers