Senior Staff Technical Program Manager

About the role

This position provides technical program management for complex defense and autonomy initiatives. The role bridges strategic objectives and delivery for critical programs including Hivemind, V-BAT, X-BAT, and Aechelon. The hire owns the end-to-end execution of high-stakes programs in the defense sector, ensuring alignment between long-term strategic goals and on-the-ground delivery. They will act as the central coordination point for cross-functional teams, integrating government, defense, supplier, and technical perspectives. The position demands a high level of ownership over program health, driving outcomes through structured processes and proactive issue resolution. The role requires fluency in the nuances of defense acquisition and the ability to navigate sensitive operational contexts with precision. Success is defined by the reliable delivery of complex programs that meet strict contractual and quality standards.

Key facts

What you'll do

Define program objectives by synthesizing industry knowledge and aligning strategic goals with actionable delivery plans for defense initiatives.

Oversee full lifecycles, from initiation through closure, to ensure high-quality, on-time delivery of critical defense programs such as Hivemind and V-BAT.

Fulfill contractual and customer commitments with precision, timeliness, and clarity to meet strict deliverables and satisfy complex defense requirements.

Analyze critical paths, track earned value, and report program health metrics to guide data-driven decisions and executive oversight.

Identify risks and blockers early, developing and executing proactive mitigation strategies to protect timelines, scope, and objectives.

Lead organized, efficient meetings with clear action items and follow-up to maintain momentum and accountability across international teams.

Support business development by contributing to EOIs, RFTs, RFIs, proposals, and unsolicited submissions for complex defense opportunities.

Utilize proficiency in project management tools such as Microsoft Project, Smartsheet, Vena, and Salesforce to maintain accurate records and forecasting.

Ensure compliance and readiness for operations by working closely with teams experienced in the Australian Defence Force and its standards.

Champion continuous improvement by refining processes, documenting workflows, and enabling any team member to step into critical roles seamlessly.

Requirements

Significant experience as a technical project or programme manager in complex engineering or technology environments is mandatory for this role.

A demonstrable record of delivering complex, cross-functional projects aligned with long-term business strategy must be evident in your background.

Experience managing 0-to-1 product development cycles is necessary to navigate the challenges of early-stage autonomy programs effectively.

Commercial understanding of project financials, including earned value management, estimates at completion, and contract data requirements, must be strong and consistently applied.

Proficiency in project management tools such as Microsoft Project, Smartsheet, Vena, and Salesforce is required for daily operations and reporting.

Experience working with or within the Australian Defence Force is essential for success in this position.

Outstanding communication, leadership, organization, and influencing skills are mandatory for managing high-stakes defense initiatives.

A proactive, dependable, and collaborative mindset is expected, with consistent high standards and unwavering support for the team.

Nice to have

Experience with software or autonomy development programmes is valued and provides a deeper contextual understanding of the technical challenges.

Familiarity with the ASDEFCON contracting suite or equivalent is preferred for efficiency in defense-specific procurement processes.

Exposure to multi-national teams, flight test campaigns, or airworthiness certification is viewed favorably due to the global nature of the work.

PMP or Certified Scrum Master accreditation is preferred as a marker of structured project management practice.

Experience managing international defense-related projects is considered an advantage for navigating complex stakeholder landscapes.

Practical notes

Typical interview steps

Operations interviews usually include a process scenario, an analytics question, and behavioral rounds. Candidates may be asked to improve a workflow or plan an event. Attention to detail and clear communication are tested throughout. Interviewers often ask how you would fix a process that is failing. Walking through diagnosis, a plan, and measurement is the winning structure.

Good to know

Technical program managers operate at the intersection of engineering delivery and defense strategy. Projects often involve autonomy software, unmanned aircraft systems, and simulation technologies. Success requires comfort with government sales cycles and defense acquisition frameworks. The work involves multinational stakeholders and sensitive operational contexts. Clear communication and rigorous oversight are central to program outcomes.

Career growth

Operations careers grow from coordinator to manager, director, and chief operating officer roles. Some people specialize in supply chain, facilities, or program management. Success depends on reliability and on improving the systems you own. Operations careers reward reliability and continuous improvement. Operators who quantify the impact of their fixes move into leadership fastest.