Technical Program Manager – Defense Systems

Technical Program Manager – Defense Systems

This role leads complex aerospace and defense programs that integrate engineering, manufacturing, quality, and customer requirements across hypersonics, strategic missile defense, tactical missiles, and integrated defense systems. You will drive mission-critical hardware programs from planning and development through qualification, production, and delivery, ensuring that high-performance systems such as launch and deployment systems, propulsion, payload protection, and integrated defense solutions meet technical, schedule, and contractual commitments.

Operating close to the engineering teams, you will guide cross-functional technical execution, manage program performance, and directly support key strategic defense and space-related initiatives.

Responsibilities:

• Lead cross-functional engineering teams in the design, development, analysis, and testing of mechanical and pyrotechnic components and systems.
• Guide programs through the full product lifecycle, including planning, development, qualification, production, and delivery of complex aerospace and defense hardware.
• Interface regularly with customers and internal leadership to maintain clear communication, alignment on objectives, and transparency on program status.
• Support business development by contributing to proposal writing and participating in new business meetings and capture activities.
• Ensure complete and accurate documentation of engineering activities, including drawings, technical reports, plans, and presentations.
• Track program performance using key metrics and proactively identify risks, issues, and mitigation actions to maintain program health.
• Support and coordinate technical reviews and program milestone reviews to ensure readiness and compliance with requirements.
• Facilitate program planning, technical decision-making, and change management across engineering and integrated product teams.
• Manage scope, cost, schedule, and technical performance while balancing competing priorities and stakeholder expectations.
• Coordinate proposal efforts and support the transition from business development to program execution to ensure a smooth handoff and clear execution plans.
• Partner closely with Supply Chain, Manufacturing, Quality Assurance, Contracts, and Finance to ensure successful and timely program delivery.
• Support Integrated Product Teams working on defense systems, missile programs, high-temperature materials, composite systems, propulsion technologies, and space and defense applications.
• Operate effectively in a defense-focused IPT environment by understanding engineering discussions, managing execution, and driving immediate improvements in program performance.
• Influence technical teams and contribute to technical strategy while maintaining strong customer-facing and executive communication.
• Maintain a strong presence in day-to-day program execution, ensuring alignment between technical work, program plans, and customer requirements.

Essential

Skills:

• Bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering, aerospace engineering, or a related technical field.
• At least 5 years of engineering experience, including a minimum of 2 years in aerospace engineering or systems engineering.
• Demonstrated ability to develop, plan, and execute projects from concept through delivery.
• Proven experience leading cross-functional engineering teams on complex technical efforts.
• Experience managing cost, schedule, scope, and technical risks on engineering or hardware programs.
• Technical program management experience operating close to engineering teams and technical execution.
• Experience with hardware product development, particularly bringing physical aerospace or defense products through development, qualification, production, and delivery.
• Experience working with complex hardware products such as missile systems, propulsion systems, defense hardware, or aerospace products.
• Strong engineering communication skills, including the ability to understand and contribute to technical discussions.
• Ability to influence technical teams and lead multidisciplinary teams in an integrated product team environment.
• Strong customer-facing presence and the ability to communicate effectively with external stakeholders.
• Executive-level communication capabilities, including presenting program status and risks to leadership.
• Ability to operate effectively in ambiguous technical environments and make sound decisions with incomplete information.
• Hands-on program execution experience, with a focus on driving results and resolving issues quickly.

Additional Skills &

Qualifications:

• Master's degree in a related technical field or a Master of Business Administration (MBA).
• At least 2 years of experience managing complex technical programs in defense, aerospace, or government technology sectors.
• Experience supporting defense-focused programs such as tactical missiles, integrated defense systems, high-temperature materials, propulsion technologies, composites applications, and space and…