Senior Aerospace & Defense Program Lead

Purpose

We are seeking a highly-skilled and experienced Senior/Principal Program Manager to oversee Divergent’s aerospace and defense (A&D) efforts. As one of the early hires in the A&D division, this individual will own defense programs focused on deploying Divergent’s technology on new and legacy defense programs. This individual will also lead programs that focus on the expansion of Divergent’s capabilities enabling the utilization of DAPS™ for a broader set of defense applications.

The ideal candidate will have a strong technical background in aerospace structures, with a particular emphasis on aerial defense systems such as unmanned aerial systems or missiles. The Senior/Principal Program Manager will be responsible for leading programs with defense primes and Department of Defense (DoD) stakeholders to execute Divergent's programs efficiently and effectively.

• Manage all aspects of aerospace and defense programs, from inception to completion, ensuring on-time delivery of program deliverables and within cost, schedule, and performance requirements
• Lead cross-functional team by providing strategic technical guidance and programmatic constraints on cross-functional teams consisting of engineering, manufacturing, and customer personnel
• Set framework and analysis parameters with internal engineering teams and customer teams to characterize programmatic, technical, and risk trades
• Build and utilize Divergent program management tools, systems, and templates to draft proposals, write-up statements of work, and track program performance (cost, schedule, and performance)
• Monitor program performance against established metrics and milestones, identifying areas for improvement and implementing corrective actions as necessary
• Formulate program strategy across a portfolio of customers, identifying new development opportunities, technology risks, and partnerships that Divergent should focus on
• Develop and maintain relationships with defense primes, subcontractors, and DoD stakeholders to facilitate program success and build new contracting opportunities

• Current Secret DoD security clearance or ability to obtain and retain Special Program access clearance within 365 days from submission
• Bachelor's degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or related field
• Minimum of 10 years of experience in program management within the aerospace and defense industry
• Strong technical background in aerospace structures programs, including familiarity with basic structural analysis tools such as finite element analysis (FEA)
• Knowledge of additive manufacturing applications and robotic assembly systems
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to effectively engage and influence both internal and external stakeholders
• Proven track record of successfully managing complex programs with multiple stakeholders and dependencies
• Experience with DoD acquisition cycles and federal acquisition regulations (FAR)
• Experience supporting analysis and completing documentations for airworthiness certifications. Experience engaging directly with DoD airworthiness stakeholders such as the Air Force Test Center (AFTC) or the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)
• Experience with fast iteration hardware prototyping programs

• Advanced degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or related field
• Previous experience in technical leadership positions such as Chief Engineer or Integrated Product Team (IPT) Lead is preferred
• PMP certification or equivalent is preferred
• Active security clearance is preferred

At Divergent, our pay range is based on the level of the job. For this role, we will consider candidates at levels S05 - S07 as evaluated through our interview process.

• Senior / S05: $134,640 - $185,130
• Lead / S06: $155,540 - $213,840
• Principal / S07: $179,630 - $247,005

• Holistic Compensation Package: Enjoy a world-class compensation package that includes a competitive salary, equity plan, and discretionary results-based incentive bonus opportunities, ensuring you're truly valued for your contributions.
• Wellness and Time Off: Embrace a…