Field Program Manager (Active Top Secret Clearance)
A Field Program Manager for Striveworks will be challenged—and trusted—on day one. The Field Program Manager is a hands-on leader aligned to a portfolio of clients based in the greater Northern Virginia area who serves as Striveworks’ primary program leadership presence: owning delivery, customer relationships, and the growth of Striveworks’ mission footprint within the formation. This is not a coordination role. The FPM collaborates across a small, cross-functional project team to drive execution against the program roadmap and is the person Striveworks’ leadership calls when something is at risk.
This role is built for someone who has operated in complex technology delivery environments, who knows how organizations in the War Department make decisions with technology, and who is done watching technology fail to land because nobody owned the last mile.
What it’s like here
We lead with trust, treat each other with respect, and use candor consistently, kindly, and constructively. We care deeply about our work, and we find genuine satisfaction in doing it well. Above all, we take ownership—because we feel the weight of collective results personally. We are looking for people who share these values and are eager to put them into practice.
What we’re looking for
A bachelor’s degree and sufficient technical fluency to engage software engineers and data scientists as an informed, non-technical counterpart
4–6+ years of relevant professional experience with defense technology delivery
Demonstrated experience planning and directing execution of complex, multi-stakeholder project activities; proven small-team (2–6 person) leadership in high-accountability environments
Track record of building and sustaining rapport and trust with War Department stakeholders across organizational levels
Strong written and verbal communication; able to operate credibly across Soldier-level and executive-level audiences in the same day
Active Top Secret US security clearanc
The following isn’t required, but we’d love to see it:
Direct experience implementing or integrating defense technology; you’ve seen a capability succeed or fail at the unit level and know why
Familiarity with DOW IT, network, and communications infrastructure as an operational reality, not just a technical concept
Working knowledge of agile software delivery practices; able to hold a technical team accountable to a cadence without micromanaging the engineering
Meaningful exposure to machine learning/AI capabilities in operational or defense contexts—enough to recognize value, identify misuse, and advocate credibly for the customer
Prior experience in a customer success or account management role with a defense technology vendor
This position operates in a hybrid remote/on-site work environment at our customer sites in the greater Northern Virginia area; you will be on site 60% of the time. You will be expected to travel up to 20% of the time, including some international travel.
Compensation
The anticipated base pay range for this position is $145,000–$185,000/year. Striveworks’ total compensation package includes a competitive base salary, equity grants, and cash bonuses.