Deputy Program Manager – Strategic AEWS Program

Job Description We are seeking a highly motivated, high-potential emerging leader to serve as Deputy Program Manager on one of our most strategically important programs. This is an opportunity for an individual with exceptional drive, intellectual horsepower, strong organizational instincts, and demonstrated leadership potential to play a meaningful role in the execution and continued success of a critical business initiative.

This is not a traditional entry-level program management position. We are looking for someone who brings an uncommon combination of initiative, attention to detail, critical thinking, personal accountability, and the ability to anticipate challenges before they become problems. The ideal candidate is someone who naturally takes ownership, sees beyond their immediate responsibilities, and has the drive and determination to do whatever is necessary to help the team succeed.

Working in close partnership with the Program Manager and broader leadership team, this individual will gain significant exposure to program execution, customer relationships, business strategy, technical challenges, and executive-level decision-making. The position is designed to provide a foundation for accelerated professional development and future program leadership.

Key Responsibilities

• Drive Program Execution: Partner with the Program Manager to drive day-to-day execution across a complex, high-visibility program. Take ownership of assigned priorities and ensure commitments are met.
• Anticipate and Solve Problems: Proactively identify risks, emerging issues, dependencies, and opportunities. Bring forward thoughtful recommendations and help drive issues to resolution rather than waiting for direction.
• Maintain Execution Discipline: Establish and maintain a high standard of attention to detail across program schedules, financial performance, deliverables, customer commitments, and internal reporting.
• Connect the Dots: Develop a comprehensive understanding of the program, including technical execution, customer expectations, business objectives, and organizational dependencies. Recognize how individual decisions and activities affect broader program success.
• Lead Through Influence: Build relationships across engineering, operations, finance, contracts, business development, and other functional organizations. Drive accountability and collaboration without relying solely on positional authority.
• Support Customer Engagement: Participate in customer interactions, understand customer priorities, and help ensure the organization consistently delivers on its commitments.
• Communicate Effectively: Translate complex issues into clear, concise communications. Provide leadership with an accurate understanding of program health, emerging challenges, and recommended courses of action.
• Take Ownership: Be willing to get into the details, tackle difficult problems, and do the hands-on work required to ensure program success. Demonstrate a bias for action and an unwavering commitment to team outcomes.
• Develop as a Leader: Seek opportunities to expand responsibilities, exercise sound judgment, and progressively assume greater ownership of program execution.

Required Education, Experience, & Skills We are looking for an individual who demonstrates exceptional potential and possesses the characteristics that distinguish future leaders.

• Demonstrated high-potential talent, with a track record of strong performance and increasing responsibility.
• Exceptional attention to detail, organization, and follow-through.
• Naturally proactive; anticipates needs, identifies gaps, and takes action without waiting to be asked.
• Strong critical thinking and problem-solving skills, with the ability to break down complex challenges and develop practical solutions.
• High levels of personal accountability, integrity, and ownership.
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to build trust and influence across organizational boundaries.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to communicate effectively with senior leaders.
• Intellectual curiosity and the ability to quickly learn complex technical, business, and programmatic concepts.
• Resilience, adaptability, and a willingness to operate outside of defined responsibilities when the situation demands it.
• An exceptional work ethic and a genuine desire to make the team and program successful.

Preferred Education, Experience, & Skills

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, business, or a related discipline.
• Early-career experience in program management, engineering, operations, or another complex project-based environment.
• Demonstrated success leading initiatives, coordinating cross-functional teams, or taking ownership of challenging assignments.
• Recognition as a high-potential employee through formal talent identification, succession planning, or leadership development processes.
• Participation in selective leadership development programs, executive development initiatives, or other competitive internal talent programs.

Pay Information Full-Time Salary Range: $118095 - $200762

Please note: This range is based on our market pay structures. However, individual salaries are determined by a variety of factors including, but not limited to: business considerations, local market conditions, and internal equity, as well as candidate qualifications, such as skills, education, and experience.

Employee Benefits: At BAE Systems, we support our employees in all aspects of their life, including their health and financial well-being. Regular employees scheduled to work 20+ hours per week are offered: health, dental, and vision insurance; health savings accounts; a 401(k) savings plan; disability coverage; and life and accident insurance. We also have an employee assistance program, a legal plan, and other perks including discounts on things like home, auto, and pet insurance. Our leave programs include paid time off, paid holidays, as well as other types of leave, including paid parental, military, bereavement, and any applicable federal and state sick leave. Employees may participate in the company recognition program to receive monetary or non-monetary recognition awards. Other incentives may be available based on position level and/or job specifics. About BAE Systems, Inc.BAE Systems, Inc. is a defense, aerospace, and security company headquartered in Falls Church, Virginia, with more than 40,000 employees worldwide. We serve, supply, and protect those who protect us. As one of the most geographically diverse international defense companies, we deliver a full range of products and services spanning air, land, maritime, space, and cyber, including advanced electronics, intelligence solutions, and dedicated customer support.

Our culture is performance-driven and values-led, built on curiosity, creativity, and collaboration. Purpose isn't a tagline here. It's what drives us. We're developing breakthrough technologies that defend national security and make a lasting impact on our communities and our planet. When you join BAE Systems, you're not just building a career. You're contributing to a mission that truly matters.

This position will be posted for at least 5 calendar days. The posting will remain active until the position is filled, or a qualified pool of candidates is identified.