Program Manager

Job Title:

Project Engineer

Job Description

The Project Engineer will lead the execution of complex, government-funded programs delivering innovative autonomous maritime and mission system capabilities. This role oversees program performance across technical scope, schedule, and budget while engaging directly with government customers and guiding multidisciplinary teams through the full lifecycle from concept development to delivery. The position is ideal for an experienced program leader who thrives in a highly technical, fast-paced environment and wants to drive cutting-edge autonomy solutions rather than maintain legacy systems.

Responsibilities

+ Own overall technical, schedule, and cost performance for assigned programs.

+ Lead day-to-day and strategic interactions with government customers, serving as a primary point of contact.

+ Manage proposal efforts, including strategy, planning, and execution, to secure new program awards and drive program growth initiatives.

+ Coordinate activities across engineering, manufacturing, and supply chain teams to ensure aligned and efficient program execution.

+ Drive successful program delivery from early concept development through detailed design, integration, testing, and final delivery.

+ Identify program risks across technical, schedule, cost, and supply chain dimensions and implement effective mitigation strategies.

+ Oversee budgeting and financial management, including earned value and cost tracking, to ensure programs remain within approved budgets.

+ Lead schedule development and management, ensuring milestones, dependencies, and critical paths are clearly defined and maintained.

+ Manage change orders and contract modifications in collaboration with internal and external stakeholders.

+ Support strategic planning for future programs and technology roadmaps, aligning program execution with broader organizational goals.

+ Collaborate closely with systems engineering teams to ensure technical solutions meet customer requirements and program objectives.

+ Provide leadership, direction, and clear communication to multidisciplinary teams to maintain focus on quality, performance, and on-time delivery.

Essential Skills

+ At least 10 years of program management experience in defense, aerospace, naval, robotics, or advanced technology environments.

+ Proven experience managing complex government-funded programs from initiation through completion.

+ Strong understanding of systems engineering principles and technology development programs.

+ Demonstrated expertise in program management, including planning, execution, and performance tracking.

+ Hands-on experience with budget management and financial oversight for technical programs.

+ Proficiency with earned value management and related cost and schedule performance metrics.

+ Strong schedule management skills, including development, monitoring, and adjustment of detailed program schedules.

+ Experience leading government customer interactions and maintaining strong customer relationships.

+ Background in contract management, including handling change orders and scope adjustments.

+ Experience coordinating cross-functional teams, including engineering, manufacturing, and supply chain.

+ Ability to identify, assess, and mitigate program risks across technical and operational domains.

+ Strong strategic planning capabilities to support program growth and long-term technology initiatives.

+ PMP certification preferred or equivalent demonstrated program management expertise.

Additional

Skills & Qualifications

+

Experience with autonomous systems, robotics, maritime platforms, or advanced mission systems is highly beneficial.

+ Demonstrated ability to lead small, senior-level engineering teams in a fast-paced environment.

+ Comfort working on cutting-edge technologies such as autonomous navigation, unmanned operations, advanced controls, and long-duration autonomous platforms.

+ Track record of driving innovation, technical ownership, and continuous improvement in program execution.

+ Strong communication skills, with the ability to present complex technical and programmatic information clearly to diverse stakeholders.

+ Ability to operate effectively in an execution-focused culture that emphasizes accountability and results.

+ Motivation to influence and shape future programs and technologies rather than focus on legacy systems.

Work Environment

The role operates in a hybrid work model, with three days onsite and two days remote each week. You will join a small, senior-level engineering team focused on developing cutting-edge autonomous maritime technologies and mission systems for government customers. The environment is highly technical, fast-paced, and execution-focused, emphasizing ownership, accountability, and delivering results over corporate perks. Engineers collaborate directly with leadership on challenging problems in autonomous navigation, unmanned operations, advanced controls, and long-duration autonomous platforms.

The culture rewards…