Technical Project Manager - Aviation Voice & Communications Systems

Peraton•Bethesda, MD

About The Position

Join Peraton in advancing the safety, efficiency, and modernization of the National Airspace System (NAS) through the FAA’s Business, National Airspace, and Technical Computing Services (BNATCS) contract. As a trusted partner to the Federal Aviation Administration, Peraton helps deliver the systems and services that keep our nation’s skies safe and connected. We’re looking for innovative professionals who thrive in mission-critical environments and are passionate about shaping the future of air traffic management. This is your chance to make an impact on one of the world’s most vital transportation infrastructures, working alongside leaders in aviation, engineering, data science, and systems integration. At Peraton, you won’t just support the mission — you’ll define it. Peraton is seeking an accomplished Technical Project Manager to lead the planning, coordination, and execution of engineering and technology projects focused on aviation voice and communications systems supporting the FAA. This role oversees multidisciplinary engineering teams responsible for voice switching systems, air-ground communications, VoIP infrastructure, radio systems, network transport, and related NAS communication technologies. You will guide projects from concept through deployment, ensuring technical deliverables meet FAA operational, security, and performance standards. The ideal candidate blends strong telecommunications or voice systems knowledge with proven project management expertise and can translate complex communication system requirements into executable plans that support uninterrupted air traffic operations. Why This Role Matters The FAA’s modernization and mission success depend on efficient execution of highly technical projects that enhance the safety, capacity, and reliability of the National Airspace System (NAS). As a Technical Project Manager, your leadership ensures that technical teams operate cohesively, risks are mitigated early, and project outcomes directly support the FAA’s strategic initiatives in aviation safety, cybersecurity, and infrastructure advancement. Your ability to balance engineering precision with operational efficiency will help keep U.S. aviation systems safe, modern, and globally competitive.

Requirements

U.S. citizenship required with the ability to obtain and maintain a Public Trust clearance.
12+ years of experience in technical project management or program leadership within engineering, IT, or infrastructure environments.
Proven success leading complex, mission-critical technical projects, including enterprise IT and network-based initiatives.
Experience managing projects involving global telecommunications networks, including SD-WAN, MPLS, and enterprise WAN architectures.
Strong command of project management fundamentals, including scheduling, budgeting, risk management, performance measurement, and earned value tracking.
Demonstrated ability to lead and coordinate cross-functional technical teams across engineering, networking, cybersecurity, and IT disciplines.
Proficiency with project management and collaboration tools such as Microsoft Project, Jira, Confluence, or equivalent platforms.
Excellent communication, leadership, and organizational skills, with the ability to engage both technical teams and executive stakeholders.
Experience managing vendor relationships, contractual deliverables, and statement-of-work alignment.
Proven ability to develop and maintain risk registers, mitigation strategies, and performance dashboards.
Capability to lead technical reviews, validation efforts, and post-implementation assessments.
Strong analytical mindset with a focus on metrics, quality assurance, and measurable outcomes.

Nice To Haves

Experience supporting FAA programs, National Airspace System (NAS) initiatives, or other federal aviation or transportation systems.
Bachelor’s or advanced degree in Engineering Management, Systems Engineering, Business Administration (MBA), or a related field.
PMP, PMI-ACP, or similar project management certification.
Professional certifications such as CSEP (Certified Systems Engineering Professional) or ITIL Foundation.
Experience with FAA NextGen, air traffic management systems, or large-scale federal modernization efforts.
Familiarity with Agile, DevSecOps, or hybrid delivery environments supporting engineering or IT integration programs.
Experience with cost estimation, resource planning, and contract oversight.
Background in cybersecurity compliance, infrastructure modernization, safety-critical systems, or highly regulated environments.

Responsibilities

Lead the planning and execution of complex voice and communications engineering projects supporting FAA air traffic operations
Develop and manage project schedules, budgets, risk assessments, and performance baselines
Serve as the primary liaison between voice/telecom engineering teams, program leadership, and FAA stakeholders
Coordinate cross-functional collaboration across: Voice switching and telephony systems Air-to-ground radio communications VoIP and IP transport networks Systems engineering and integration teams
Manage scope, deliverables, and timelines using structured project management methodologies (Agile, Waterfall, or hybrid)
Oversee implementation of high-availability, low-latency communication systems in operational ATC environments
Prepare and present technical briefings, system readiness updates, and milestone reports to FAA leadership
Identify and mitigate technical, operational, and integration risks in mission-critical voice systems
Ensure all activities comply with FAA AMS, FAR, spectrum, security, and quality standards
Oversee configuration management, change control, and documentation for communication system deployments
Support vendor coordination for telecom, radio, and voice infrastructure components
Facilitate requirements analysis, test planning, system integration testing, and operational readiness reviews
Drive continuous improvement and standardization across NAS voice and communications projects