Senior Program Acquisition Specialist

Zachary Piper Solutions is seeking a Senior Program Acquisition Specialist to support defense acquisition, program management, and strategic planning initiatives for a mission-critical national security program in El Segundo, CA . The Senior Program Acquisition Specialist will advise government Program Managers on acquisition strategies, contracting, budgeting, and program execution while supporting the development of acquisition documentation and milestone reviews. This position is fully onsite in El Segundo, CA and requires an active TS/SCI clearance!

Responsibilities of the Senior Program Acquisition Specialist:

• Advise government Program Managers on acquisition strategies, contracting approaches, schedules, budgets, and program execution
• Develop acquisition strategies, acquisition plans, Justifications and Approvals (J&As), and supporting contracting documentation
• Prepare program schedules, status reports, executive briefings, and acquisition milestone documentation
• Develop and coordinate program planning documents in accordance with DoDI 5000.02 and DoD acquisition policies
• Support Major Capability Acquisition, rapid prototyping, and defense acquisition lifecycle activities
• Evaluate contractor performance, technical milestones, program risks, and execution schedules
• Monitor program funding, commitments, obligations, expenditures, and financial reporting
• Coordinate technical interchange meetings, program reviews, and stakeholder briefings
• Support Planning, Programming, Budgeting, and Execution (PPBE) activities and acquisition decision-making
• Collaborate with government stakeholders, contracting teams, and engineering personnel to ensure program objectives are achieved

Qualifications for the Senior Program Acquisition Specialist:

• Active TS/SCI clearance
• Bachelor's degree in Business Management, Engineering, or a related discipline
• 7+ years of relevant experience in DoD acquisition, government program management, or defense contracting; advanced degrees may offset experience requirements
• Experience supporting government acquisition programs as a SETA contractor or directly within a government organization
• Hands-on experience developing acquisition strategies, Justifications and Approvals (J&As), acquisition plans, and program execution documentation
• Knowledge of DoD 5000.02, the Defense Acquisition System, and Major Capability Acquisition processes
• Understanding of the Joint Capabilities Integration and Development System (JCIDS) and Planning, Programming, Budgeting, and Execution (PPBE) processes
• Experience supporting acquisition milestone reviews, program budgeting, contracting activities, and financial execution
• Strong communication, technical writing, analytical, and executive briefing skills
• Willingness to undergo additional security processing for SCI/SAP access and a polygraph examination if required
• Experience supporting national security space, Space Control, or military space acquisition programs is a plus
• Master's degree or PMP certification is a plus

Compensation for the Senior Program Acquisition Specialist includes:

• Salary: $140,000 - $170,000
• Comprehensive Benefits Package including Medical, Dental, Vision, 401(k), PTO, and Paid Holidays

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