Research Projects Program Manager I

The University of Louisville is hiring a Research Projects Program Manager to support defense-related projects funded by a U.S. Department of Defense grant. The role serves as the overall event director for operational technology testing and validation, coordinating stakeholders, planning events, managing resources, and evaluating outcomes.

Responsibilities:

• Serve as the primary point of contact for DoD sponsors and stakeholders
• Design, plan, and execute technology testing events, field exercises, and validation experiences that simulate real-world operational conditions relevant to current defense priorities and contemporary conflict environments
• Coordinate with military stakeholders, technical subject matter experts, academic partners, and industry participants to develop realistic test scenarios, success criteria, and evaluation frameworks
• Oversee project planning, scheduling, and resource allocation to ensure all milestones and deliverables are met
• Assign roles and responsibilities to project staff and ensure clear communication across all functional areas
• Manage logistics and operational execution for field demonstrations, prototype testing, and technology assessment events, including site coordination, scheduling, resource allocation, equipment support, and vendor readiness
• Excellent communication skills are required, as this position will interact with a variety of personnel across academic, industry, defense, and federal funding landscapes
• Track participant progress, testing outcomes, technology performance metrics, and program impact; collect and analyze data to generate reports and demonstrate measurable outcomes aligned with relevant Statement of Work requirements
• Develop after-action reports, lessons learned, and recommendations for technology refinement, follow-on funding opportunities, and transition pathways into defense acquisition or pilot programs

Requirements:

• Master's degree in Engineering, Defense Studies, Systems Engineering, Operations Management, or substantially related fields and four (4) years of relevant experience or an equivalent combination of education and experience
• Excellent communication skills are required, as this position will interact with a variety of personnel across academic, industry, defense, and federal funding landscapes
• eligible for and able to obtain and maintain a U.S. government security clearance (Secret or higher) and any necessary export control licenses to perform the job functions
• 5 + years of direct experience in program management, defense technology testing, operational exercises, field demonstrations, or technology validation environments
• Experience coordinating complex technical projects involving multiple stakeholders, vendors, and operational constraints
• Ability to effectively communicate technical and operational concepts with a variety of audiences
• Proven expertise in managing programs, including planning, execution, budgeting, risk management, logistics coordination, and delivery of technical demonstrations or validation events
• PMP certification or equivalent experience
• Familiarity with defense innovation, prototype evaluation, dual-use technologies, autonomy systems, sensing platforms, communications technologies, or advanced manufacturing solutions
• Military service and experience with planning and executing military exercises