Detachment Program Manager

Detachment Program Manager 

At Salas O’Brien we tell our clients that we’re engineered for impact. This passion for making a difference applies just as much to our team as it does to our projects. That’s why we’re committed to living our values every day: inspiring, achieving, and connecting as shared owners of our success with a focus on a sustainable future.

Building for the long-term means that all of our team members can expect to work on amazing projects with a people-first approach to problem solving. It also means that each member of our team has truly limitless potential to build a unique, meaningful, and high-impact career—and they’ll receive great total rewards along the way.

Job Summary:

The Detachment Program Manager (Det PM) will support the Air Force Utilities Privatization and Enhanced Use Lease (EUL) programs. This role focuses on strategic program management, long-range planning, and execution integration across electric, water, wastewater, and gas systems, supporting both privatized and non-privatized utilities.

The Det PM will serve as a key integrator between government stakeholders, utility providers, AE teams, and internal Salas O’Brien leadership, ensuring projects are planned, sequenced, and programmed effectively to support mission growth and long-term predictability. This position offers significant leadership responsibility, visibility with senior government stakeholders, and the opportunity to influence enterprise-level infrastructure decisions.

 Responsibilities:

• Directs or assists utilities and energy privatization programs, projects, and management systems related to the planning, analysis, implementation and lifecycle and portfolio management of energy-related EULs
• Serve as the primary program management interface supporting AFCEC utilities and infrastructure initiatives
• Manage and track multiple installation-level utility projects across electric, water, wastewater, and gas systems
• Translate infrastructure studies, assessments, and lessons learned into executable actions and leadership decision points
• Support long-range utility planning and load forecasting aligned with FYDP and POM horizons
• Coordinate project sequencing to ensure the right projects are executed by the appropriate entities at the right time
• Interface with privatized utility providers, cooperatives, and system owners to align planning assumptions and constraints
• Track RFIs, action items, risks, and dependencies across technical and stakeholder teams
• Identify risks related to capacity, resiliency, environmental compliance (e.g., NEPA), and long-lead equipment
• Develop executive-level briefings, white papers, and decision support materials
• Support governance forums, technical interchange meetings, and working groups
• Provide schedule, cost, and risk visibility to support leadership decision-making
• Support continuous process improvement and lessons-learned documentation

Qualifications and Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Construction Management, Facilities Management, or a related field
• 10+ years of experience in utilities, infrastructure, facilities, or capital program management
• Experience supporting DoD, Air Force, or federal infrastructure programs
• Working knowledge of electric utility systems (substations, transmission, transformers) and/or water/wastewater systems
• Strong understanding of program sequencing, stakeholder coordination, and risk management
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision and collaboratively within a team environment
• Strong interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills, including executive-level briefing experience
• Excellent time management, organizational, and prioritization skills

Preferred Qualifications:

• Prior experience with AFCEC, Base Civil Engineer (BCE) organizations, or utilities privatization programs
• Familiarity with NEPA, MILCON vs non-MILCON programming, and federal infrastructure planning processes
• Experience with long-range infrastructure studies, resiliency planning, or load forecasting
• PMP, Lean Six Sigma, or similar professional certification
• Active or ability to obtain a Secret clearance

Location: Remote – West Coast

Travel: Approximately 25%-30%

Compensation:

The expected base salary range for this role is $125,000-$140,000 per year. Actual compensation will be determined based on a number of factors including skills, experience, qualifications, and location.

This role is also eligible for performance-based bonuses and a comprehensive U.S. based benefits package, including:

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• 401(k) with company match
• Paid time off and company holidays
• Wellness programs and employee assistance resources
• Professional development support

For more information, visit our full benefits overview here.

About Us:

Founded in 1975, Salas O’Brien is an employee-owned engineering and professional services firm focused on achieving impact for our clients, our team, and the world. We know that tomorrow’s requirements are today’s opportunities, and we are here to design lasting solutions for pressing challenges.

We work across a variety of industries providing integrated engineering and consulting services. Our specialized experience includes design for data centers, healthcare, science and technology, high-rise buildings, clean energy, education, and other building types as well as structural and building sciences, infrastructure asset management, advanced robotics, and more.

Our technical expertise is paired with an exceptional team of business development, human resources, finance and accounting, information technology, and marketing professionals, all of whom play a key role in bringing our commitments to life every day

Equal Opportunity Employment Statement

Salas O’Brien provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state/provincial, or local laws. Salas O’Brien will accommodate the disability-related needs of applicants as required by law.