Program Chief Engineer

About Spara Technologies

Spara Technologies delivers advanced engineering, staffing, and mission-focused solutions across energy, cyber, air, land, sea, and space domains. We combine the right people, proven processes, and specialized expertise to deliver results—ready to execute today. Driven by our commitment to the warfighter, we place their mission and success at the heart of everything we do.

We are seeking an experienced Program Chief Engineer (PCE) to join our team and help advance the development of cutting-edge communications systems. In this critical leadership role, you will serve as the primary technical authority for your program—responsible for ensuring all technical requirements are met while overseeing engineering cost and schedule performance.

As the single engineering point of contact, you will drive the execution of all engineering activities and interface directly with program management, technical teams, and key stakeholders.

What You'll Do:

• Serve as the technical decision-maker for all engineering aspects of the program.
• Lead Engineering Bid Reviews (EBRs) and Engineering Program Reviews (EPRs) at appropriate levels of authority.
• Represent Engineering in Program Management Reviews (PMRs) and provide updates on all technical matters.
• Manage engineering budget and schedule, collaborating with discipline leads to ensure alignment with program goals.
• Develop and maintain accurate Estimates at Completion (EACs) in coordination with Engineering Cost Account Managers.
• Ensure staffing plans are current and aligned with program needs, working closely with discipline managers to assign appropriate talent—including internal, distributed, and supplier resources.
• Oversee technical metrics and ensure the effective use of Technical Performance Measures (TPMs) to track progress and identify risks.
• Manage and mitigate engineering risks and pursue opportunities that improve program outcomes, leveraging enterprise capabilities where applicable.
• Provide technical oversight of suppliers, ensuring compliance with the subcontractor Statement of Work (SOW), specifications, and engineering processes.
• Drive synergy and technical reuse across programs and the broader enterprise.
• Deliver clear, timely status reports to Program and Engineering leadership.

Required Qualifications:

• Minimum 10 years of relevant experience in roles such as Program Engineer, Technical Program Manager, Project Engineer, Technical Subcontract Manager, or Integrated Product Team (IPT) Lead; OR
  7+ years with an advanced degree in a related field.
• Strong background in communications systems development and familiarity with multiple engineering disciplines.
• Demonstrated experience with Earned Value Management Systems (EVMS).
• Experience supporting all phases of the program development lifecycle—from concept to deployment.
• Proficiency in risk and opportunity management in complex engineering programs.
• Proven ability to lead and collaborate within multi-disciplinary engineering teams, including systems, electrical, mechanical, software, and logistics.
• Bachelor's or advanced degree in Science, Technology, Engineering, or Mathematics (STEM).
• Active and transferable SECRET security clearance required at the time of hire.
• U.S. citizenship required to obtain and maintain a security clearance.