Employment Opportunities

UDRI is a national leader in scientific and engineering research, serving government, industry and nonprofit customers. UDRI contributes to the fulfillment of the University’s commitments to education, research and public service through the involvement of students, faculty and external partners. Established as the research arm of the University of Dayton in 1956, UDRI achieved $2.75 billion in cumulative sponsored research in 2020. Sponsored research for 2022 alone exceeded $220 million. We invite qualified applicants to apply for our Principal Program Manager / Distinguished Program Manager opening!

This position provides the primary program management (PM) support for select US Air Force (USAF) research and development (R&D) contracts in UDRI’s Nonstructural Materials and Structural Materials Divisions. This person will interact with customers, PMs, principal investigators, division administrative staff, and financial analysts to support large, sponsored R&D programs developing and transitioning advanced materials and processes for USAF needs. This person will maintain expertise in identifying material deficiencies, maintenance problems, manufacturing advances, and working with staff to developing effective material and process solutions to meet requirements for USAF aircraft. This person’s responsibilities will include: collaboration with AFRL, industry OEMs, program offices, and maintenance depots to support UDRI research teams in materials and processing issues, characterizing emerging technologies for manufacturing and sustainment, engineering assessments and testing to develop and mature materials and processes, independent evaluation of externally developed materials and processes, compliance with specifications and standards, and project management. This person will interact with technical experts from AFRL, UDRI, industry/OEMs, and subcontractors to accomplish the program goals, while leveraging in-house capabilities and labs. Position requires occasional travel for on-site evaluation, demonstrations, manufacturing process reviews, and programmatic meetings.

• Bachelor’s Degree in Business, Management, or within a relevant technical field (aerospace engineering, chemical engineering, electrical engineering, mechanical engineering or other related technical field)
• 10 years technical program management experience; one year of experience can be substituted with a relevant Master’s degree; two years of experience can be substituted with a relevant Doctorate degree.
• Proficient in reading, understanding, and ensuring compliance with DOD security protocols, standards and specifications, technical orders, and procedures used for aircraft maintenance.
• Experience with Microsoft Office (Word, Power Point, Excel) and MS Project.
• Proficient written communication skills.
• Due to the requirements of our research contracts with the U.S. Federal Government, candidates for this position must be a U.S. Citizen.
• Due to the nature of this position, the ability to obtain and maintain a SECRET security clearance with access to Special Access Programs (SAP) will be required for continued employment.
• For consideration at the P5 level, candidates must have a relevant Bachelor’s degree + 15 years of related experience; one year of experience can be substituted with a Master’s degree; two years of experience can be substituted for a Doctorate degree.

While not everyone may possess all of the preferred qualifications, the ideal candidate will bring many of the following:

• Master's degree or higher (MBA or Engineering – Aerospace, Chemical, Electrical, Mechanical).
• Credentialed as a Certified Project Manager through the Program Management Institute or Defense Acquisition University.
• Completed or working towards completion of Program Management Professional (PMP) certificate.
• Experience working within USAF or other DoD active program office(s) in either a government or prime contractor role.
• Working knowledge of US Government proposal, acquisition, and contracting processes.
• Management experience with multi-year, multi-million $ programs.
• Effective interpersonal communication skills.
• Demonstrated successful collaboration within a multi-disciplinary team.
• Active US Security Clearance.
• Experience working with socially and culturally diverse communities.

To apply please submit a cover letter addressing each minimum qualification and any applicable preferred qualifications that you meet.

Informed by its Catholic and Marianist mission, the University is committed to the principles of diversity, equity, and inclusion. Informed by this commitment, we seek to increase diversity, achieve equitable outcomes, and model inclusion across our campus community. As an Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity Employer, we will not discriminate against minorities, women, protected veterans, individuals with disabilities, or on the basis of age, race, color, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation or gender identity.