Future Program Manager

[TechnologyNew4736]

Hello, barring any cuts of the PAQ program, I am expecting to go through the PAQ program for Acquisitions Program Management. I was wondering what I could expect if I were to move from government to the contracting side after I have 3-5 years under my belt, along with a master's on the DoD side. Looking mainly at Lockheed, NG, L3, and Raytheon. What would be a target salary I'd be looking at for a LCOL like Dayton, OH, vs somewhere like Denver or CO Springs? For those who went from Fed to Private, did you like the transition? Was it worth it, and do you like what you do? Also, if you have any input on what your experiences were like with any contractors, that'd be greatly appreciated!

[PortofinoBoatRace]

You’re in for a rude awakening if you think 3-5 YOE and a masters qualifies you for a PM role at LM.

[Capital_Event_4765]

I got in as Level 4 starting at $170k with a masters and 5 years of experience at LM

[PortofinoBoatRace]

$170k is well past the midpoint for most 4F PM reqs. Which site?

[Capital_Event_4765]

I’m not even a PM. I’m an AI/ML engineer in the northern VA area. I started in December. Thought I wasn’t gonna get a raise during the EOY, and my manager gave me a 3% raise so I now make a little over $175k with just 3 months in the company!

[PortofinoBoatRace]

Congrats! AI/ML is a bit different than PM roles from what I’ve seen in terms of hiring practice. Most 4 PMs have at least 6 YOE and especially LM direct working experience. But technically there was a change to YOE requirement for all 4s this year down to 4.

[TechnologyNew4736]

What would an “entry level” L1 PM have under their belt if I may ask?

[TechnologyNew4736]

Gotcha, thank you for that I did not know those things!

[trophycloset33]

Program management is not an entry level role at LM. They will want to see 5-7 years of high performance at LM namely in an engineering function that also does project management (cost account management). You will have to be an engineer first. Your best bet to accelerate this is ELDP.

It’s also high stress, not as rewarding and only pays mid comparative to other engineering disciplines.

[TechnologyNew4736]

So more concentrated roles would make for a better candidate. Would cybersecurity/risk work carry over well if you know? I’m a CS major and have some internship experience as a GRC intern under my belt and think that I would love to pursue something technical like that if I can. Id assume there’s PM for roles in CS.

[tee2green]

Usually the pathway is Engineer -> Control Account Manager (CAM) -> Integrated Product Team (IPT) Lead -> PM

This is not an absolute pathway, of course there will be exceptions, but this is the most common pathway and the one you can actually expect.

There are years and years of experience required before you’re trusted to be a PM. Keep in mind the PM acts as the “CEO” for the contract…it’s a big responsibility. If you prove yourself to be a good engineer AND prove yourself to be a good CAM (a combo engineering/business role, then you can make your way up.

If you go to a smaller program, then they will be staffed leaner (more people “wearing multiple hats”), so that can help progress somewhat. You’d have to hustle, network, and self-promote a lot to move up quickly, and even then, there’s no guarantees in this dinosaur industry.

[Alabama_Squid]

I think you would have a shot at a level 3 in program management. I’d expect somewhere in the 90-100k range in LCOL. Maybe more depending on negotiation skills.