Principal Engineering Technical Project Manager (TPM)
Trident Systems· Defense & Space· Oct 16, 2026 · 12d ago
Sterling, VA, US
In office
Full-time
Manager
$140K–$188K
9+ years exp
Job description
Position Title: Principal Engineering Technical Project Manager (TPM)
Requisition ID: 1898
Position Location: Sterling, VA
Position Reports To: Director, Systems Engineering, Integration & Test
Supervises Others: No
At Trident Systems Space Electronic Systems (SES) division, we believe in the power of using strong engineering principles to drive innovation and solve complex problems. We foster a culture of rigorous engineering and continuous improvement, leveraging the full knowledge of our organization through collaborative product development processes that include design and peer reviews. We combine our expertise in space electronics with right-sized development processes to create innovative, high-performance space-based electronic systems that meet our customers' evolving needs.
We are a mission partner supporting DoD, Intelligence Community, and Civil space customers. We develop complex, radiation effects mitigated, designs that balance competing requirements in modern space programs, delivering cutting-edge solutions that enable our customers to achieve more in space.
Position Summary
The Principal Engineering Technical Project Manager (TPM) will drive the execution and financial control of complex, integrated hardware and software engineering developments for aerospace and defense programs. Acting as both the primary operational steward and a leader for critical program control accounts, the TPM is directly accountable for cost and schedule execution.
The successful candidate will leverage an engineering background to deeply understand technical scope, coordinate cross-functional activities, and serve as the central execution leader for the development team. In this role, the TPM will proactively identify technical risks, track hardware/software integration dependencies, and partner with Program Management and functional leadership to resolve variances. Execution will require a strong command of both traditional Integrated Master Schedules (IMS) and Agile development methodologies.
Duties and Responsibilities
The Engineering Engineering Technical Project Manager (TPM) balances oversight with rigorous financial control to ensure engineering programs are delivered on time and within budget.
• Budget Ownership: Manage cost accounts, monitor budgets, and take full accountability for cost and schedule compliance.
• Variance Tracking: Analyze weekly cost and schedule variances, identify root causes, and implement corrective actions.
• Forecasting: Maintain accurate Estimates at Completion (EAC) based on actual engineering progress and remaining work.
• Schedule Optimization: Partner with schedulers to maintain a realistic, logic-driven Integrated Master Schedule (IMS).
• Bridge Agile & Waterfall: Translate Agile engineering metrics (sprints, velocity) into traditional milestone tracking.
• Resource Planning: Forecast engineering staffing needs to ensure the team can meet upcoming deliverables.
• Ability to support travel or off-site work, as needed.
• Perform other duties as assigned.
Required Qualifications
• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Computer Science/Engineering, Software Engineering, or a related technical discipline (or equivalent relevant experience).
• Minimum of 9 years of professional engineering and development experience within the aerospace and defense industry.
• Prior experience serving as a Technical Project Manager (TPM) or Cost Account Manager (CAM) or working intimately within an Earned Value Management System (EVMS) framework.
• Technical Acumen: Solid understanding of the full hardware and software development lifecycle, hardware/software integration, and Agile methodologies.
• Leadership & Communication: Strong interpersonal, communication, and leadership skills with a proven ability to collaborate effectively across cross-functional teams.
Preferred Qualifications
• Experience leading multi-disciplinary engineering teams or serving as a technical lead/product owner.
• Certified Scrum Master (CSM), SAFe Agilist/Scrum Master, or equivalent Agile certification.
• Project Management Professional (PMP)
Pay Information
Full-Time Salary Range: $140,000 - $188,000
Please Note: Actual compensation offered will be determined based on several factors including, but not limited to, relevant experience, skills, education, certifications, internal equity, business considerations, and geographic location where applicable.
Benefits
Hired applicants may be eligible for benefits including but not limited to:
• Health benefits • Medical
• Dental
• Vision
• Basic life with AD&D
• Short term disability
• Long term disability
• Ancillary (Voluntary life with AD&D, accident, critical illness, hospital, and pet)
• Spending accounts (HSA, FSA, and DCFSA)
• Paid time off
• Holidays
• 401(k) (including company match)
• Tuition reimbursement
• Leaves (Parental, maternity, and military)
• Annual discretionary bonus (for eligible roles)
Trident Systems reserves the right to change or assign other duties to this position.
Trident Solutions is an affirmative action and equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. To request reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, please contact recruiting@tridsys.com .
Pay Transparency: The contractor will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor’s legal duty to furnish information.
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Benefits
Benefits detected in the listing.
Dental
Vision
401(K)
Paid Time Off