Dave Slivka

About Dave Slivka

Driven, adaptable, and results-oriented leader, passionate about empowering teams to maximize their potential and deliver impact. With broad experience in both the public and private sectors, I’ve developed a deep understanding of integrated system engineering, program management, corporate operations, and strategic and capability planning, founded upon advanced degrees in engineering, project management, and national security and resource strategy.Currently, I serve as the Enterprise Engineering Solutions Manager and Chief Engineer for Jacobs, leading an integrated team of systems engineers, enterprise architects, and configuration management professionals. By fostering a culture of ownership and quality, I’ve advanced our agile delivery practices while providing strategic leadership to drive continuous improvement in our processes and services. My success is founded upon a blend of technical expertise and interpersonal skills, which enable me to optimize team performance, collaborate effectively across departments, and guide complex, high-stakes projects to success.As a corporate mentee, I have ensured continued professional development for the highly-skilled staff entrusted to me, while also driving the enhancement of our enterprise-wide systems engineering processes. My close attention to detail and commitment to excellence have been pivotal in managing the technical baseline of an integrated missile defense weapon system test platform for the Department of Defense.Prior to my current role, I have led initiatives across multiple organizations, successfully developing and executing strategies for operational planning, capability development, and transformation initiatives. In different posts across the globe, whether in the deserts of Iraq or the training fields of Kansas, I had the esteemed privilege to serve as an Operations Research and Systems Analyst (ORSA), where I was responsible for planning and conducting simulations and development of high-level strategy.If you are seeking a dynamic and proven leader to drive complex initiatives while fostering a culture of excellence, I invite you to reach out so that we can explore how our shared passions and commitments might align.#OpenToWork #Leadership #ProgramManagement #StrategicPlanning #Polyglot #SystemsEngineering #ScaledAgileFramework

Experience

1. Senior Program Manager

   KBR, Inc.

   Apr 2026 — Present · Colorado Springs, CO, US

   Deliver and accelerate the fielding of advanced software capabilities that enhance decision-making, operational awareness, and mission effectiveness in an increasingly contested and data-driven space domain.I oversee the acquisition, development, and integration of advanced software systems that enable space domain awareness, data fusion, and operational decision advantage. I work at the intersection of mission needs, engineering execution, and acquisition strategy—ensuring complex programs deliver cutting-edge capabilities on accelerated timelines.Key Responsibilities & Impact Software Acquisition Strategy: Develop and refine acquisition approaches for emerging, mission-critical software capabilities, aligning program execution with evolving national security priorities. Requirements & Mission Integration: Translate operational needs into actionable requirements for space domain awareness, data fusion, and visualization systems, ensuring alignment between mission objectives and technical solutions. Program Execution: Lead end-to-end program delivery across multiple large-scale efforts—overseeing cost, schedule, performance, and resource allocation to achieve high-impact outcomes in dynamic environments. Modeling & Validation: Leverage advanced modeling, simulation, and software test tools to validate system performance and ensure mission readiness. Team & Stakeholder Leadership: Mentor and lead cross-functional teams while engaging senior DoD stakeholders, engineers, and mission partners to drive alignment, execution excellence, and mission success.

Education

• Texas State University

  MS, Physical Education

• Colorado Technical University

  Master of Business Administration - MBA, Project Management

• United States Military Academy at West Point

  Bachelor of Science (BS), Environmental Science

  1989 — 1993

• Texas A&M University

  ME, Industrial & Systems Engineering

• Dwight D. Eisenhower School for National Security and Resource Strategy

  Master of Science - MS, National Security and Resource Strategy

  2015 — 2016

Skills

• Analysis
• Afghanistan
• Intelligence
• Accounting
• Cross-Functional Team Leadership
• Personal Finance
• Top Secret
• Command
• Counterinsurgency
• Engineering Management
• Cost Benefit
• Operations Research
• Program Management
• Manufacturing
• Security Clearance
• Operations Management
• Combat
• Defense
• Management
• Military Experience
• Weapons
• Military Operations
• Cost Reporting
• Governance
• Intelligence Analysis
• Cost Management
• Army
• Tactics
• Operational Planning
• Engineering
• Cost Accounting
• Project Management
• Dod
• National Security
• Navy
• Special Operations
• U.s. Department of Defense
• Military
• Interagency Coordination