UAS Program Lead

About the Role

The UAS Program Lead serves as the senior program manager and primary interface to the U.S. Government for worldwide unmanned aircraft systems operations. The role is responsible for leading contractor support, overseeing program performance, staffing, compliance, and delivery of mission-ready UAS capabilities. Key duties include program planning and execution, managing budgets and audits, supervising contractor teams across operations, logistics, training, and support, and establishing governance, metrics, and reporting rhythms. The lead also ensures operational readiness, incident handling, and compliance with contract, safety, and host-nation regulations while coordinating deployments and strategic briefings with government leadership. • Serve as overall Program Manager for UAS contract support (performance, staffing, deliverables, compliance). • Act as primary liaison between Parsons and U.S. Government stakeholders, including Diplomatic Security leadership. • Lead program planning, execution, and tracking of milestones, budgets, staffing, and audits. • Manage and supervise contractor team for UAS operations, logistics, training, and support. • Establish and maintain program governance, performance metrics, and reporting rhythms. • Oversee UAS operational support activities such as readiness, sustainment, training, and field support. • Enforce incident reporting, investigation, and corrective action processes for UAS operations. • Ensure compliance with contract requirements, safety standards, U.S. Government policy, and host‑nation regulations. • Support program reviews, executive briefings, and strategic planning with government leadership. • Coordinate deployments, operational priorities, and support activities across stakeholders and field teams.

Key Responsibilities

• ▸program management
• ▸stakeholder liaison
• ▸budget tracking
• ▸team supervision
• ▸governance reporting
• ▸operational support

What You Bring

Candidates must hold a bachelor’s degree in engineering, computer science, systems engineering or a related field (or equivalent experience), possess an FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certification, and have at least ten years of relevant experience. Proven success in managing U.S. Government operational programs, strong UAS and aviation knowledge, and excellent communication skills are essential. An active Secret security clearance is required, and the position sits within Parsons’ Federal Solutions segment, which delivers critical services to U.S. government customers worldwide. The team supports defense, security, intelligence, infrastructure, and environmental missions. • Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Computer Science, Systems Engineering or related field (or equivalent experience) and FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certification with 10+ years experience. • Proven experience leading U.S. Government operational programs as a program or project manager. • Ability to serve as senior interface to government stakeholders and decision‑makers. • Experience managing contract performance, staffing, schedules, and budgets. • Strong understanding of UAS operations, aviation systems, or complex operational technology programs. • Excellent written and verbal communication, including executive‑level briefings and reports. • Ability to operate in high‑tempo, operationally sensitive, internationally deployed environments. • Experience supporting Diplomatic Security, DoD, or other U.S. Government overseas operational programs. • Experience managing UAS, aviation, robotics, or ISR‑related programs. • Familiarity with FAA airspace coordination, host‑nation flight approvals, and aviation governance. • Experience supporting audits, inspections, and formal program reviews. • PMP, Agile, or other formal program management certifications. • Experience leading programs that include operations, logistics, training, and sustainment functions. • Strong technical background in UAS systems, aviation systems, or networked mission systems. • Active Secret security clearance required.

Requirements

• ▸faa part 107
• ▸pmp
• ▸secret clearance
• ▸uas operations
• ▸10+ years
• ▸bachelor’s

Benefits

The role offers a salary range of $120,800 to $217,400 along with best-in-class benefits including medical, dental, vision, life insurance, 401(k), paid time off, flexible schedules, and holidays. • Salary range $120,800 – $217,400 with comprehensive medical, dental, vision, life insurance, 401(k), paid time off, flexible schedules, and holidays.

Work Environment

Onsite