Program Manager - Air Force Special Programs
- Pay
- $180,000 – $230,000 per year
- Location
- Pentagon, VA · On-site
- Job type
- Full-time
- Level
- Director
- Experience
- 10+ years
- Listed
- 30 days ago
Skills & highlights for this role
- TS/SCI clearance
- PMP
- defense acquisition processes
- systems engineering
- Special Access Programs
- test and evaluation frameworks
Also useful
- space acquisition
- PMP
Stated benefits & perks
- Medical
- Dental
- Vision
- 401k match
Key Responsibilities
- Program Execution: Support management of a diverse portfolio of Air Force Special Programs, ensuring alignment with mission priorities, schedule, and budget objectives.
- Acquisition & Integration: Assist in planning, development, and execution of complex acquisition programs from concept through fielding.
- Test & Evaluation Strategy: Develop and implement approaches for testing advanced technologies, ensuring operational effectiveness, reliability, and security.
- SAP Oversight: Provide programmatic and technical support to Special Access Programs, ensuring compliance with DoD policies and safeguarding sensitive information.
- Space & Advanced Systems Advisory: Offer informed recommendations on space acquisition initiatives and emerging technologies impacting air and space superiority.
- Stakeholder Engagement: Collaborate across government, industry, and interagency partners to drive program success and maintain alignment.
- Risk Management: Identify program risks and develop mitigation strategies, communicating status and recommendations to senior leadership.
- Leadership & Mentorship: Provide guidance to junior personnel and contribute to a high-performing, mission-focused team culture.
Required Qualifications
- Advanced degree in Engineering, Physics, or a related technical field
- Minimum 10+ years of Department of Defense experience with a strong understanding of defense acquisition processes
- At least 5 years of direct experience supporting Special Access Programs (SAPs)
- Demonstrated experience managing or supporting complex acquisition or advanced technology programs
- Strong analytical, organizational, and communication skills
- Active Top Secret clearance with SCI eligibility (TS/SCI)
- Ability to work full-time onsite
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience with Department of the Air Force or Space Force acquisition organizations
- Background in space acquisition or advanced aerospace systems
- Familiarity with test & evaluation frameworks and systems engineering processes
- Prior experience supporting MAJCOM, Headquarters Air Force, or OSD-level organizations
- PMP certification or equivalent program management credential
About Blue Sky Innovators
Blue Sky Innovators is seeking a highly capable Program Manager to support Air Force Special Programs within SAF/AQL at the Pentagon. This position places you at the center of the Department of the Air Force's most sensitive and strategically important efforts-driving acquisition, integration, and execution of advanced capabilities across air and space domains.
The ideal candidate brings a strong foundation in defense acquisition, systems engineering, and Special Access Programs (SAPs), with the ability to operate effectively in a fast-paced, high-visibility environment supporting senior decision-makers. This is a unique opportunity to influence next-generation capabilities critical to national security.
Why Blue Sky Innovators?
At Blue Sky Innovators, we bring together elite operators, engineers, and acquisition professionals to solve the nation's toughest defense challenges. Our team operates at the highest levels of the Department of Defense-delivering impactful solutions across advanced air, space, and cyber domains.
You'll work side-by-side with senior leaders, influence critical national security decisions, and help deliver the next generation of capabilities that ensure U.S. dominance in contested environments.
If you're ready to take your program management expertise to the highest levels of impact within the Department of the Air Force, we want to hear from you.
Join Blue Sky Innovators and help shape the future of national defense.
The salary range for this position is $180,000-$230,000 per year. Specific compensation will be determined by several factors including experience, education, skills, and knowledge. We also offer medical/dental/vision benefits and 401k contribution.
If you are a qualified job seeker with a disability or a disabled veteran, you have the right to request an accommodation if you are unable or limited in your ability to use or access as a result of your disability. To request an accommodation, please email us at and provide your name and contact information. Please note: this is only for job seekers with disabilities requesting an accommodation.
Equal opportunity and legal notices
Blue Sky Innovators, Inc. is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, race, color, religion, national origin, disability, protected Veteran status, age, or any other characteristic protected by law.
From Blue Sky Innovators's careers page, first listed on Rolev.ai on October 10, 2026. Rolev.ai is not the employer.
How Rolev.ai helps with this application
Rolev.ai is a job search and application tool for US job seekers. For this Program Manager - Air Force Special Programs role at Blue Sky Innovators, it shows how your resume fits, tailors your resume to the posting, and prepares the application for you to review.
See how you fit
Openings from employer career sites are ranked against your whole resume—and searchable inside Claude, ChatGPT, and Cursor via Rolev.ai MCP.
Tailor without inventing
Every change to your resume is checked against your original. New experience goes in only with your yes—zero fabricated claims.
Draft the full kit
Tailored and Full Match resumes, role-specific cover letters, and answers to employer screening questions are prepared in seconds.
1-Click Extension Autofill
The Chrome extension fills the employer's Greenhouse, Workday, Lever, or Ashby form in 1 click. You review it and press Submit.
Similar roles
All Program Manager jobs- Program Manager, OERQualified Health · United States - Remote
- Program ManagerStand Together · Arlington, VA
- Program Manager 1Ngc · United States-Massachusetts-Devens · $133k – $200k/yr
- Program ManagerCAE · Tampa, FL
- Program ManagerKatalyst Space Technologies · Broomfield, CO · $120k – $160k/yr
- Program ManagerCHAOS Industries · El Segundo, CA
Common questions
What is the salary for the Program Manager - Air Force Special Programs role at Blue Sky Innovators?
The Program Manager - Air Force Special Programs posting at Blue Sky Innovators states compensation of $180,000 – $230,000 per year. It is listed as a full-time position. Final pay may depend on location, experience, and interview evaluation on Blue Sky Innovators's official career site.
Where is the Program Manager - Air Force Special Programs job at Blue Sky Innovators located?
This Program Manager - Air Force Special Programs position at Blue Sky Innovators is located in Pentagon, VA (On-site). Always check Blue Sky Innovators's application page for specific state eligibility or relocation policies.
What qualifications are required for Program Manager - Air Force Special Programs at Blue Sky Innovators?
For the Program Manager - Air Force Special Programs role, Blue Sky Innovators highlights 10+ years of relevant experience; experience with defense acquisition processes, systems engineering, Special Access Programs, test and evaluation frameworks. Rolev.ai can score your existing resume against these requirements and show any skill gaps before you apply.
How do I apply for the Program Manager - Air Force Special Programs position at Blue Sky Innovators?
This listing links directly to Blue Sky Innovators's Greenhouse application page. You can apply directly on Blue Sky Innovators's site, or use Rolev.ai to check your resume fit, generate a zero-hallucination tailored resume and cover letter for this posting, and autofill the Greenhouse application form in 1 click with the Rolev.ai Chrome extension. You always review the form and press Submit yourself.