Software Project Manager & Engagement Lead (Defense Mission Software)

Role Overview

Are you ready to lead high-impact software modernization efforts for the Defense Division? As a Software Project Manager and Engagement Lead, you will lead complex mission software initiatives and program engagements across GDIT's Defense portfolio. Your work will span program delivery for defense division customers, incubation of new GDIT software products, and special strategic initiatives involving AI/ML, Software Factory deployments, and Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE). You will align executive, program, and stakeholder expectations with Agile execution, and you will bring rigor and focus to every engagement to ensure impactful delivery. You will harmonize executive, program, and stakeholder expectations with Agile execution, while bringing rigor and focus to the effort to ensure an impactful delivery.

Mission Impact (What success looks like)

• Lead and Coach dynamic and matrixed technical teams focused on full lifecycle modernization efforts that assess, devise, and implement software or software-enabled solutions that enable delivery to our customers’ unique requirements
• Maintain transparent program control measures—product backlog, vision, roadmap and/or Integrated Master Schedule (IMS) and Agile integration, controllable cost—to earn and keep trust with senior GDIT and Government Stakeholders.
• Deliver or enable delivery of mission‑relevant software releases or software-enabled services on predictable cadence with measurable value (operational outcomes, cyber posture, user experience).
• Transpose from the proposed solution a detailed engagement and action plan to deliver modernization outcomes aligning with software-development, DevSecOps, and Agile principles.
• Partner with Capability Team Leaders and help mature management practices relevant for (AI/Software development/DevSecOps/MBSE) to sustain velocity and quality across Defense programs and internal offering and product evolution.
• Provide learning forward capabilities that enrich offerings, market point of view, use cases, and enable best of breed offerings across the GDIT Technical Enterprise

Core Responsibilities

• Lead strategic Defense mission software engagements; own executive briefings/updates, out‑briefs, and fact‑based decision narratives.
• Align GDIT stakeholders on outcomes, risks, and resourcing; maintain transparent status.
• Set and control baselines—scope, cost, and project plans—bringing programmatic rigor to software delivery efforts.
• Orchestrate cross-functional team Agile delivery; maintain roadmaps, backlogs, release plans, and Acceptance Criteria/Definitions of Done; and report progress against roadmaps.
• Embed and run governance (risk reviews, ARB/CCB), keep RAID current, plan for ATO/IATT within Agile cadence and ceremonies; capture lessons to mature capabilities into reusable offerings through Retrospectives.
• Lead the stand-up of Software Factory toolchains; integrate MBSE and govern AI/ML lifecycle with risk controls and policy compliance.
• Facilitate the embedding of DevSecOps/CI/CD with automated quality gates (build/test, SAST/DAST, artifact security) to validate readiness and improve velocity, reliability, and security.

Required Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor’s in Computer Science, Software Engineering, Systems Engineering, or Business-related field; equivalent experience considered.
• Required Experience: 15+ years of progressive technical and leadership experience with digital modernization efforts
• 15+ years leading several software delivery for mission‑critical systems (Defense/DoW/IC preferred) in parallel, including multi‑team Agile programs with strong governance.
• Demonstrated ability to brief Product Managers/Owners, executives and senior government leaders—concise narratives, data‑driven insights, and calm, facts‑first issue framing.
• Proven experience facilitating the building and running CI/CD pipelines and DevSecOps practices; hands‑on familiarity with Jira/ GitLab / Azure DevOps and service workflows (e.g., ServiceNow).
• Experience translating software outcomes into roadmaps, backlogs, and release plans, establishing baselines, managing variances, and reporting credible status
• Clearance: Active Secret with ability to obtain and maintain TS/SCI required
• U.S. Citizenship required
• Location: Falls Church, VA (Hybrid, requires a minimum of 3 days a week on-site in office)

Certification Requirements (Program‑level Agile)

• REQUIRED: PMP, SAFe SPC, and/or Scrum Master (CSM/Advanced CSM/SSM or similar).
• PREFERRED: PMI‑ACP, Product Owner/Product Manager (PSPO/CSPO/POPM), SAFe Agilist (SA), ITIL 4 Foundation.

Preferred Experience

• DoW acquisition lifecycle familiarity; MBSE tooling (e.g., Cameo); secure cloud (AWS/Azure) and platform practices; AI/ML program considerations (risk, policy, ATO).
• Prior work with USAF/USSF/Navy/Army/COCOM/Joint programs; experience leading software efforts/scope as a component of a larger execution activity.

GDIT IS YOUR PLACE:

• Full-flex work week to own your priorities at work and at home
• 401K with company match
• Comprehensive health and wellness packages
• Internal mobility team dedicated to helping you own your career
• Professional growth opportunities including paid education and certifications
• Cutting-edge technology you can learn from
• Rest and recharge with paid vacation and holidays