Engineering Program Manager Jobs in Virginia
Engineering Program Manager jobs in Virginia are among the most active in the country, concentrated in defense and aerospace systems, federal IT, and advanced manufacturing, with openings at every level from early-career coordinators through senior program directors. Northern Virginia's defense corridor anchors much of the hiring, with Tysons Corner, Reston, and Arlington drawing the largest share of openings, while Richmond and Hampton Roads round out demand through shipbuilding and government contracting. Established employers with deep Virginia roots include Northrop Grumman, Leidos, and General Dynamics, and the most sought-after specialties are systems integration, software program management, and defense acquisition program oversight. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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Req ID: 50609
Team: O41 PLANT ENGR
Entity: Newport News Shipbuilding
US Citizenship Required for this Position: Yes
Full-Time
Shift: 1st
Relocation: Relocation assistance will be available
Virtual/Telework Opportunity: No - Not eligible for telework
Travel Requirements: No
Clearance Required: No - Clearance Not Required to Start
Salary Range: $142,000.00 to $178,000.00
The anticipated salary range represents the estimated base pay for this role. Final compensation will be determined based on experience, qualifications, and other job-related factors, and may vary from the posted range
Meet HII’s Newport News Shipbuilding
With more than 25,000 employees – including third-, fourth- and even fifth-generation shipbuilders – HII’s Newport News Shipbuilding (NNS) division is the largest industrial employer in Virginia. We’re the sole designer, builder and refueler of U.S. Navy nuclear aircraft carriers and one of two providers of U.S. Navy nuclear submarines. Our diverse and innovative team of professionals ranges from skilled trades to project managers, engineers and software developers to solution architects, technical subject matter experts, and system users. We collaborate together at the forefront of technology, manufacturing, and integration of the most powerful and survivable naval ships in the world. Want to be part of the team? Apply today! We look forward to meeting you.
The Role
Specific to this position:
- Lead the planning and execution of utility infrastructure projects, including electrical distribution, water and wastewater systems, steam, chilled water, compressed air, natural gas, and other site utility systems, as applicable.
- Oversee projects involving infrastructure replacement, system modernization, capacity expansion, reliability improvements, and new utility installations.
- Ensure projects are properly scoped, engineered, estimated, scheduled, and resourced to meet operational and organizational requirements.
- Oversee project execution from initial concept and feasibility through design, procurement, construction, commissioning, and final turnover.
- Ensure infrastructure projects meet applicable engineering standards, codes, regulatory requirements, safety expectations, and quality standards.
- Coordinate utility tie-ins, system outages, cutovers, and commissioning activities to minimize impacts to ongoing operations.
- Develop and maintain project execution plans, schedules, budgets, resource forecasts, and risk management strategies.
- Monitor project performance and implement corrective actions to address schedule delays, cost growth, resource constraints, and technical challenges.
- Support the development of annual capital budgets, multiyear infrastructure investment plans, and long-range utility system improvement strategies.
- Maintain portfolio-level visibility of project milestones, expenditures, commitments, forecasts, risks, and overall execution status.
- Lead, mentor, and develop project managers and supporting personnel responsible for utility infrastructure project delivery.
- Establish clear expectations for project planning, execution, communication, cost control, schedule performance, and accountability.
- Allocate resources and balance workloads across multiple concurrent projects to meet organizational commitments.
- Coordinate with procurement, finance, engineering, and construction teams to ensure effective contracting and purchasing strategies.
- Coordinate construction activities affecting critical utility systems, including outages, temporary services, system isolations, and transitions to permanent infrastructure.
- Develop and implement project risk mitigation strategies addressing system reliability, service interruptions, constructability, schedule constraints, and unforeseen site conditions.
- Ensure appropriate planning and approvals are completed before executing work that affects critical infrastructure or facility operations.
- Lead resolution of complex technical, construction, contractor, and coordination issues.
- Ensure project teams appropriately address commissioning, testing, documentation, training, and turnover requirements.
- Oversee engineering consultants, construction contractors, specialty subcontractors, and utility service providers.
- Communicate project status, financial performance, risks, issues, and decisions required to senior leadership.
- Prepare executive-level project updates, portfolio reports, and capital planning recommendations.
- Ensure stakeholders are engaged early in project development and remain aligned throughout execution.
- Foster a culture of safety, collaboration, ownership, continuous improvement, and disciplined project execution.
- Provide coaching, performance feedback, and professional development opportunities to build a high-performing project management team.
- Promote consistent application of project management processes, tools, reporting standards, and lessons learned.
- Manage scope changes, change orders, contractor claims, and other cost or schedule impacts.
Must Have
Bachelor's Degree and 6 years of progressive technical experience in research, engineering and design; Master's Degree and 4 years of relevant experience.
Newport News Shipbuilding requires a Bachelor's Degree in engineering from an ABET accredited program.
Nice to Have
- Experience managing electrical, mechanical, water, wastewater, steam, chilled water, or other industrial utility infrastructure projects.
- Experience with medium- or high-voltage electrical distribution, central utility plants, or critical utility systems, as applicable to the facility.
- Experience managing large capital expenditure programs and multiyear infrastructure improvement plans.
- Project Management Professional (PMP) certification or equivalent project management credentials.
- Professional Engineer (PE) license or relevant technical certification.
- Experience with construction contracts, procurement, commissioning, and contractor performance management.
- Familiarity with project scheduling, cost control, enterprise asset management, and capital planning systems.
Why HII
We build the world’s most powerful, survivable naval ships and defense technology solutions that safeguard our seas, sky, land, space and cyber. HII’s diverse workforce includes skilled tradespeople; artificial intelligence, machine learning (AI/ML) experts; engineers; technologists; scientists; logistics experts; and business administration professionals.
Recognized as one of America’s top large company employers, we are a values and ethics driven organization that puts people’s safety and well-being first. Regardless of your role or where you serve, at HII, you’ll find a supportive and welcoming environment, competitive benefits, and valuable educational and training programs for continual career growth at every stage of your career.
Working at HII is more than a job - it’s an opportunity to build a future. We offer comprehensive benefits including: medical, prescription drug, dental and vision plan choices, on-site health centers, tele-medicine, wellness resources, employee assistance programs, savings plan options (401K), financial education and planning tools, life insurance, tuition reimbursement, employee discounts, early childhood and post-secondary education scholarships, and more. Some benefits may vary depending on your specific division or work location.
Together we are working to ensure a future where everyone can be free and thrive.
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, physical or mental disability, age, or veteran status or any other basis protected by federal, state, or local law. U.S. Citizenship may be required for certain positions.
Do You Need Assistance?
If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the employment process, please send an e-mail to buildyourcareer@hii-co.com and let us know the nature of your request and your contact information. Reasonable accommodations are considered on a case-by-case basis. Please note that only those inquiries concerning a request for reasonable accommodation will be responded to from this e-mail address.
Additionally, you may also call 1-844-849-8463 for assistance. Press #2 for Newport News Shipbuilding.
See All 32 Engineering Program Manager Jobs in Virginia
Find roles in Virginia that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find JobsEngineering Program Manager Jobs by City in Virginia
Where Virginia roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Engineering Program Manager Job Market in Virginia
A snapshot from current Virginia openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring



Top Industries Hiring
- Energy
What Virginia Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in engineering program manager jobs across Virginia.
- Bachelor's degree in engineering, computer science, or a related technical discipline required
- PMP certification or equivalent program management credential strongly preferred by Virginia employers
- Five or more years managing cross-functional engineering programs in defense or federal IT environments
- Active DoD security clearance, typically Secret or Top Secret, required for most Northern Virginia roles
- Demonstrated experience with earned value management and program scheduling tools such as MS Project
- Familiarity with federal acquisition regulations and government program lifecycle management processes
Engineering Program Manager Jobs in Virginia: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a engineering program manager in Virginia?
The most direct path in Virginia is a bachelor's degree in an engineering discipline followed by hands-on technical project work that builds toward formal program management. Virginia does not require a state-issued license for engineering program managers, but many employers treat the Project Management Professional credential from PMI as a practical requirement. Candidates pursuing defense roles should also pursue a security clearance early, as obtaining one significantly widens access to the state's largest employers in Northern Virginia and Hampton Roads.
How much do engineering program managers make in Virginia?
Engineering program managers in Virginia earn a median of about $176,160 a year, based on May 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data, ranging from around $124,830 for the lowest 10% to over $253,060 for the top 10%. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and employer.
Which companies hire engineering program managers in Virginia?
Employers hiring engineering program managers in Virginia right now include Trex Company, Northrop Grumman, and HII, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. Virginia's defense contracting base means many of the most consistent openings come from large prime contractors and federal systems integrators with long-term government program commitments across Northern Virginia and Hampton Roads.
Which Virginia cities have the most engineering program manager jobs?
The cities with the most engineering program manager openings in Virginia are Winchester, Arlington, and Herndon. Northern Virginia's concentration of defense contractors, federal agencies, and technology firms drives the largest share of demand, while Hampton Roads reflects the Navy's shipbuilding and logistics programs and Richmond contributes through advanced manufacturing and state government IT initiatives.
Are there remote engineering program manager jobs in Virginia?
Yes, and more than many engineering roles because much of the work involves coordination, documentation, and stakeholder management rather than hands-on lab or field activity. About 78% of engineering program manager openings tied to Virginia are remote or hybrid as of November 2026, though roles requiring active security clearances or on-site contractor presence at government facilities are more likely to require in-person attendance. Software and IT program management positions tend to offer the most remote flexibility.
How can I get hired as a engineering program manager in Virginia with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is starting as a project coordinator, systems analyst, or junior program analyst within a defense contractor or federal IT firm in Northern Virginia, then building toward full program management. Large Virginia employers like Northrop Grumman and Leidos regularly hire early-career candidates into rotational and associate program management tracks. Earning the CAPM credential through PMI before or during your first role signals commitment, and any experience supporting proposals or tracking program milestones strengthens your case considerably.
Where can I find and apply to engineering program manager jobs in Virginia?
You can find and apply to engineering program manager jobs in Virginia on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings across the state updated regularly. Search the listings for roles that match your experience level, specialty, and preferred location, then apply directly to the ones that fit.
See All 32 Engineering Program Manager Jobs in Virginia
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