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Program Manager

Washington, D.C.

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

  • Oversee multiple parallel Agile software development teams, ensuring cohesive, predictable delivery across all workstreams.

  • Manage program-level planning, including roadmaps, release schedules, dependency mapping, integration points, and risk mitigation.

  • Ensure all development teams deliver against technical, functional, and quality expectations.

  • Serve as the primary customer-facing lead for program delivery.

  • Navigate difficult or shifting customer priorities with diplomacy and confidence.

  • Communicate status, risks, decisions, and progress clearly and proactively.

  • Partner with engineering leads to maintain team health, morale, and retention across 40–80 staff.

  • Provide structured guidance, escalation paths, and accountability expectations for team leads and Scrum Masters.

  • Identify and address performance issues in a timely and constructive manner.

  • Oversee program metrics, financial tracking, burn rates, labor utilization, deliverable schedules, and contract compliance.

  • Manage subcontractor performance, staffing, onboarding, and alignment with program expectations.

  • Ensure deliverables, documentation, and reporting meet federal requirements.

  • Lead cross-team Agile ceremonies at the program level (PI planning, program standups, retrospectives).

  • Support Product Owners in backlog prioritization and cross-team dependency resolution.

  • Ensure alignment across multiple roadmaps and product initiatives.

Required Qualifications

  • 10+ years of professional experience, including 6–8 years of software delivery project/program management.

  • 3–5 years managing multiple concurrent Agile software teams (not just one).

  • 2–3 years of direct experience with federal agencies, ideally DHS, USCIS, IRS, VA, DoD, or similar.

  • Demonstrated success managing 40–80 technical staff across multiple workstreams.

  • Experience managing subcontractors, staffing plans, and team performance.

  • Strong understanding of modern software development (APIs, cloud, DevSecOps, CI/CD, microservices).

  • Able to translate technical risks/details into customer-friendly language.

  • Able to challenge or clarify technical assumptions when necessary.

  • Exceptional communication skills with the ability to drive alignment and resolve conflict.

  • Experience handling difficult customers or high-pressure delivery environments.

  • Proven track record of improving team performance and retention.

  • Hands-on experience with Jira, Confluence, Agile metrics, program dashboards, and release management tools.

  • Familiarity with Agile at scale (SAFe, LeSS, Nexus, or equivalent).

  • Experience supporting modernization or cloud transformation efforts.

  • SAFe, PMP, or CSM certifications (helpful but not required if the person has real-world delivery experience).

  • 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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