Program Manager

Firehawk Aerospace is a leading propulsion-focused aerospace and defense company located in Addison, TX. Our innovative approach empowers us to design and manufacture cutting‑edge solid and hybrid rocket motors and engines. We aim to push the boundaries of propulsion technology to serve both commercial and defense sectors. This position will be full‑time located at our Addison, TX facility.

As a PM, you will own the execution of multiple concurrent efforts across our government and internal Research and Development portfolio. Your programs will span USG contracts and associated IRADs — technically complex, cross‑functional, and high‑stakes. You will be accountable for cost, schedule, performance, and stakeholder relationships from kickoff through delivery. This is a mid/senior individual contributor role. You will not be handed a playbook.

You will write one, run it, and improve it. We are looking for someone who brings structure to ambiguity, drives action without losing people, and treats program execution as a craft.

• Own end‑to‑end execution across multiple concurrent programs — USG contracts, SBIRs, and IRADs — managing cost, schedule, performance, and risk simultaneously.
• Define and drive program approach and glide‑paths at contract startup, building structure quickly and with intent.
• Build and maintain a task‑level program structure in a PM tool (JIRA, Planner, Smartsheet, Microsoft Project or equivalent) that keeps cross‑functional teams focused on the right work, at the right time, on the right timeline.
• Lead cross‑functional coordination across engineering, supply chain, manufacturing ops, and external suppliers or subcontractors.
• Own USG customer relationships — communication, CDRL delivery, milestone reporting, and status briefs. Direct, accurate, no surprises.
• Surface and mitigate program risk proactively. Problems come with mitigation plans attached.
• Translate technical and programmatic complexity into clear, actionable status for leadership and government stakeholders.
• Manage supplier and partner performance tracking, technical coordination, and delivery accountability.
• Introduce and sustain PM process that works for team members. Make the structure an asset, not overhead.
• Report program progress and flag impacts of scope or schedule changes to leadership with speed and clarity.

• 7+ years of program or project management experience in aerospace, defense, or complex hardware development environments.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple concurrent programs or work streams independently, with accountability for outcomes.
• Hands‑on experience with task management or PM tool used at the sub‑task level — not just milestone tracking.
• Experience managing USG contracts (SBIR, OTA, or formal contract types) including customer‑facing deliverables, milestone management, and contracting relationships.
• Experience delivering all major design reviews from Kickoff to Closeout (SRR, PDR, CDR, TRR, etc.)
• Strong cross‑functional coordination skills — engineering, supply chain, and ops simultaneously.
• Proven ability to set up and run programs with minimal direction, especially at startup or in ambiguous environments.
• Crisp communicator in both directions - translates technical complexity up to leadership and government customers, and program priorities down to the team.
• High tolerance for pace and ambiguity. Recovers fast, adapts faster.
• U.S. citizenship or ability to comply with ITAR requirements.

• Experience with propulsion systems, energetics, aerospace hardware, or test‑driven development programs.
• Background supporting hardware build, integration, and test campaigns.
• USG‑facing program management experience.
• Prior experience at a defense tech startup or early‑stage aerospace company.
• Experience building PM infrastructure from scratch: templates, cadences, risk registers, dashboards.
• Active Secret clearance, or clearable.
• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, systems engineering, management, or a related technical field. Advanced degree a plus.

To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including the…