Staff Project Manager

ARA’s Engineering Science Division (ESD) is seeking a staff project manager to support research, development, testing, and evaluation (RDT&E) activities within the Aircraft Operating Surfaces (AOS) Group on-site at Tyndall AFB, FL. This is an exciting opportunity to lead and assist in a variety of highly technical projects covering such topics as structures, pavements, maintenance, materials, and geotechnical engineering.

The staff project manager will assist in coordinating project activities, monitoring schedules, supervising technician staff, managing documentation, and ensuring compliance with relevant project plans and procedures. This role involves working closely with ARA personnel, subcontractors, and government partners.

You will work with a team of highly qualified engineers, technicians, and support staff in a dynamic environment throughout the entire project life cycle. Some projects include:

• Applied bench-level research
• Advanced technology development
• Prototype/pilot scale systems design, construction, and evaluation in field demonstrations and operationally relevant environments
• Testing and evaluation of materials, technologies, and processes in US Air Force operations
• Improving operations and maintenance capabilities through insertion of alternative pavements, materials, technologies, processes and procedures.

This position requires overnight travel, approximately 10% of time, primarily for field testing.

As a staff project manager, you will:

• Support day‑to‑day project coordination, including scheduling, workflow planning, and progress tracking.
• Assist with managing project budgets, procurement activity, and material/labor cost oversight.
• Prepare and maintain project documentation, including daily progress summaries, formal reports, and presentations.
• Coordinate subcontractors and field personnel to ensure tasks are completed on time and meet quality standards.
• Support development and execution of test plans, data collection procedures, and operational protocols.
• Ensure activities comply with applicable codes, standards, permitting requirements, and safety policies.
• Monitor project risks and communicate status updates to senior staff and stakeholders.

Staff project manager requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or related field with 2+ years of experience, or 8+ years of experience without a degree.
• Experience in project management, field operations, construction/renovation oversight, and technical program support.
• Experience preparing daily reports, formal documentation, and progress summaries.
• Hands-on experience as a supervisor coordinating technicians, subcontractors, or field teams.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
• Ability to travel as required.
• Must be a US citizen.

Preferred experience and skills:

• Experience with government property accountability, procurement, or inventory management.
• Familiarity with DoD processes, test plans, safety protocols, and technical procedures.
• Experience supporting research, testing, and evaluation environments.

About ARA:

ARA is an employee-owned international research and engineering company recognized for providing technically superior solutions to complex and challenging problems in the physical sciences. The company, founded in Albuquerque, NM, in 1979, currently employs over 2,000 employee-owners and continues to grow. ARA offices throughout the United States and Canada provide a broad range of technical expertise in defense technologies, civil technologies, computer software and simulation, systems analysis, environmental technologies, and testing and measurement. The corporation also provides sophisticated technical products for environmental site characterization, pavement analysis, and robotics.

At ARA, employees are our greatest assets. The corporation realizes that employee ownership spawns greater creativity and initiative along with higher performance and customer satisfaction levels. ARA gives its employees the tools, training, and opportunities to take more active roles as owners. The culture is challenging; innovation and experimentation are the norm. Employees contributions not only add to the company’s success, but also their own through the Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP). The motto, “Engineering and Science for Fun and Profit” sums up the ARA experience.