
Program Manager
LightFeather is seeking a Program Manager to lead 4–8 Agile software development teams (representing 40–80 technical staff) delivering mission-critical systems for federal customers. This role is for someone who owns outcomes end-to-end—people, delivery, risk, and customer relationships—not a task-runner or meeting note-taker.
You will be responsible for ensuring predictable delivery, maintaining team health, operating effectively in a demanding customer environment, and overseeing all program-level operations including planning, reporting, staffing, subcontractor coordination, and contract compliance.
Location: Hybrid – Washington, D.C. Metro
Job Type: Full Time
Citizenship: U.S. Citizenship Required
Clearance Requirement: Ability to obtain a Public Trust (DHS preferred)
Key Responsibilities
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Oversee multiple parallel Agile software development teams, ensuring cohesive, predictable delivery across all workstreams.
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Manage program-level planning, including roadmaps, release schedules, dependency mapping, integration points, and risk mitigation.
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Ensure all development teams deliver against technical, functional, and quality expectations.
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Serve as the primary customer-facing lead for program delivery.
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Navigate difficult or shifting customer priorities with diplomacy and confidence.
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Communicate status, risks, decisions, and progress clearly and proactively.
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Partner with engineering leads to maintain team health, morale, and retention across 40–80 staff.
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Provide structured guidance, escalation paths, and accountability expectations for team leads and Scrum Masters.
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Identify and address performance issues in a timely and constructive manner.
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Oversee program metrics, financial tracking, burn rates, labor utilization, deliverable schedules, and contract compliance.
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Manage subcontractor performance, staffing, onboarding, and alignment with program expectations.
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Ensure deliverables, documentation, and reporting meet federal requirements.
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Lead cross-team Agile ceremonies at the program level (PI planning, program standups, retrospectives).
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Support Product Owners in backlog prioritization and cross-team dependency resolution.
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Ensure alignment across multiple roadmaps and product initiatives.
Required Qualifications
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10+ years of professional experience, including 6–8 years of software delivery project/program management.
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3–5 years managing multiple concurrent Agile software teams (not just one).
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2–3 years of direct experience with federal agencies, ideally DHS, USCIS, IRS, VA, DoD, or similar.
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Demonstrated success managing 40–80 technical staff across multiple workstreams.
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Experience managing subcontractors, staffing plans, and team performance.
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Strong understanding of modern software development (APIs, cloud, DevSecOps, CI/CD, microservices).
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Able to translate technical risks/details into customer-friendly language.
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Able to challenge or clarify technical assumptions when necessary.
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Exceptional communication skills with the ability to drive alignment and resolve conflict.
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Experience handling difficult customers or high-pressure delivery environments.
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Proven track record of improving team performance and retention.
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Hands-on experience with Jira, Confluence, Agile metrics, program dashboards, and release management tools.
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Familiarity with Agile at scale (SAFe, LeSS, Nexus, or equivalent).
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Experience supporting modernization or cloud transformation efforts.
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SAFe, PMP, or CSM certifications (helpful but not required if the person has real-world delivery experience).
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Experience with CPARS, federal deliverables, LOE management, and contract management.
Why Join LightFeather?
At LightFeather, you're not just taking a job—you're joining a purpose-driven team that delivers innovative, mission-critical solutions to make a real difference. You'll work on diverse, meaningful projects that challenge and inspire you, alongside some of the best minds in the industry.
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