Defense Program Manager

Program Manager – Defense Systems

This Program Manager role supports a dynamic defense systems portfolio, including hypersonics, strategic missile defense, tactical missiles, and integrated defense systems. You will lead complex programs that integrate launch and deployment systems, propulsion, payload protection, and mission‑critical defense hardware across air, land, and sea. In this position, you guide programs from planning and development through qualification, production, delivery, and contract completion, ensuring they meet cost, schedule, technical, quality, and customer objectives.

You serve as the organizational leader for program execution, partnering closely with engineering and cross‑functional teams to deliver tailored, mission‑ready solutions for demanding defense applications.

Responsibilities

• Lead assigned defense programs through planning, development, qualification, production, delivery, and contract completion.
• Own overall program performance against cost, schedule, technical, quality, contractual, and customer objectives.
• Develop and maintain integrated program plans, including schedules, budgets, milestones, resource requirements, and performance metrics.
• Coordinate cross‑functional execution across engineering, operations, manufacturing, quality, supply chain, contracts, finance, and test organizations.
• Serve as the primary program interface for customers, prime contractors, government stakeholders, suppliers, and internal leadership.
• Identify technical, programmatic, supply‑chain, cost, and schedule risks and drive effective mitigation and recovery plans.
• Lead recurring program reviews and clearly communicate financial performance, risks, key decisions, dependencies, and corrective actions.
• Support design reviews, test‑readiness reviews, qualification activities, production‑readiness reviews, and customer acceptance events.
• Manage contractual deliverables, statements of work, program changes, customer requests, and scope changes throughout the program lifecycle.
• Support proposals, cost and schedule estimates, contract negotiations, and follow‑on program opportunities to drive program growth.
• Focus on program execution, customer interface, schedule management, financial performance, and operational coordination rather than deep technical engineering design.
• Leverage engineering resources for technical decision‑making while providing clear leadership, direction, and accountability for program outcomes.
• Provide regular program reporting, including status updates, progress against milestones, and variance explanations using project management tools.
• Lead and motivate cross‑functional program teams, fostering collaboration, accountability, and a strong focus on mission success.
• Engage regularly with customers to manage expectations, address issues proactively, and ensure high levels of customer satisfaction.

Essential Skills

• Bachelor's degree in engineering, business, program management, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and directly relevant experience.
• At least 5 years of experience supporting or managing aerospace, defense, advanced manufacturing, or similarly complex technical programs.
• Demonstrated experience in program management, including cost management, schedule management, and program planning.
• Proven ability to manage program budgets and financial performance, including cost control and variance analysis.
• Experience coordinating production support and operations in aerospace manufacturing, defense industry, or related environments.
• Strong background in resource planning and cross‑functional coordination across engineering, operations, supply chain, and manufacturing.
• Experience with stakeholder management and program leadership in complex, multi‑stakeholder environments.
• Familiarity with contract management and government programs, including managing statements of work and program changes.
• Proficiency with project management tools and Microsoft Excel for planning, tracking, and reporting.
• Strong communication skills, including written, verbal, and presentation capabilities for internal and external audiences.
• Demonstrated leadership capabilities, including…