Program Manager

About the role

This position is responsible for leading complex programs that deliver mission-critical solutions for defense and space customers. The role requires disciplined execution, cross-functional leadership, and comfort with ambiguity in high-stakes environments. You will partner closely with engineering, manufacturing, and customer teams to translate requirements into reliable, tangible outcomes. The hire must drive initiatives from conception to delivery while balancing technical, schedule, and cost constraints. Success in this role depends on the ability to navigate fast-paced, resource-constrained, or startup-like operational contexts. You will be expected to document processes and establish clear escalation paths so that the business can run smoothly and others can step in when needed. The role demands strong ownership of program health and proactive communication with executive leadership and external customers.

Key facts

What you'll do

Identify program risks, dependencies, and blockers early; develop mitigation plans and drive issues to closure to protect timelines and outcomes.

Own end-to-end program execution across engineering, manufacturing, supply chain, quality, and contracts to ensure reliable delivery of mission-critical solutions.

Translate customer requirements and technical constraints into actionable plans that align with cost, schedule, and performance objectives.

Coordinate cross-functional leadership to resolve dependencies, remove impediments, and maintain momentum in fast-paced environments.

Monitor technical scope, program cost, and schedule while managing risk and customer deliverables against strict contract terms.

Evaluate and adapt execution tradeoffs to balance customer needs, regulatory requirements, and operational realities.

Review and interpret statements of work, deliverable requirements, milestones, and customer obligations to ensure full compliance.

Apply Earned Value Management principles and cost/schedule performance tracking to maintain financial and schedule integrity.

Support programs under firm-fixed-price, cost-plus, and other government contracting structures while managing associated financial and contractual risks.

Maintain readiness for ITAR and export-controlled program environments through strict adherence to compliance protocols.

Provide structured oversight and decision-ready documentation when facing ambiguous situations or limited data.

Support program activities outside normal business hours to address time-sensitive customer, supplier, or internal execution needs.

Champion continuous improvement in processes, checklists, and routines to enhance operational efficiency and outcomes.

Ensure clear, written and verbal communication of program status, risks, and recommendations to senior leadership and customers.

Requirements

A U.S. Security Clearance at the appropriate level must be obtainable and maintainable, which requires U.S. Citizenship.

A Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering, computer engineering, aerospace engineering, systems engineering, mechanical engineering, or another related engineering discipline is required.

An engineering background with experience working on complex technical programs involving embedded systems, avionics, electronics, hardware/software integration, or similar mission-critical products must be demonstrated.

Program management, technical program management, engineering program leadership, or related roles supporting complex technical programs require a minimum of 3+ years of experience.

Experience supporting defense, space, or other highly regulated technical environments is mandatory.

The ability to lead cross-functional teams in a fast-paced, resource-constrained, or startup-like environment must be proven.

Technical scope, program cost, schedule, risk, customer deliverables, and execution tradeoffs must be understood and managed effectively.

Experience reviewing or supporting contracts, statements of work, deliverable requirements, milestones, and customer obligations is required.

Familiarity with DFARS, prime contracts, subcontractor flow-downs, and government contracting environments is required.

Knowledge of ITAR and export-controlled program environments is required.

The capacity to bring structure to ambiguous situations and drive execution with limited data or direction must be demonstrated.

Strong attention to detail, organizational discipline, and consistent follow-through are required.

Written and verbal communication skills must be excellent and used to communicate technical program status, risks, and recommendations to senior leadership and customers.

Experience managing defense and/or space programs under different contract types, including firm-fixed-price, cost-plus, and other government contracting structures, is required.

Application of Earned Value Management principles and cost/schedule performance tracking is required.

Availability to support program needs outside of normal business hours, including time-sensitive customer, supplier, or internal execution activities, is required.

Nice to have

Startup, growth-stage company, or small-company experience where leaders are highly hands-on and operate across multiple functions is preferred.

Proven experience leading program recovery, corrective action planning, or turnaround efforts for programs facing cost, schedule, technical, execution, or customer satisfaction challenges.

Experience as an engineer, systems engineer, technical lead, engineering manager, or technical program manager is preferred.

Background supporting programs for prime contractors, government customers, or major defense and space customers is preferred.

Familiarity with embedded software, electronics, avionics, spacecraft systems, defense electronics, communications systems, mission systems, or other mission-critical hardware/software products is preferred.

Experience with proposals, customer negotiations, change orders, contract modifications, and program financial reviews is preferred.

Possession of an advanced degree in engineering, business, or a related technical field is preferred.

Practical notes

U.S. Citizenship and a Security Clearance at the appropriate level are mandatory.

Be prepared for potential travel as needed.