Senior Program Manager

Overview

• Lead strategic program management for complex defense technology initiatives, ensuring alignment with organizational goals and technical execution.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary engineering teams, including R&D, Embedded Systems, Firmware, and Electrical Engineering.
• Act as a liaison between executive leadership and technical teams to translate business objectives into actionable plans.
• Drive program delivery from concept through deployment in a fast-paced environment.
• Ensure compliance with defense industry standards, security requirements, and quality processes.
• Identify risks and opportunities, implementing proactive mitigation strategies.
• Support design reviews, milestone reviews, and readiness assessments.
• Prepare and present program reviews and status reports to stakeholders.

Key Responsibilities & Duties

• Lead end-to-end program management for defense technology initiatives, defining scope, timelines, budgets, and deliverables.
• Facilitate communication and decision-making across diverse stakeholders, ensuring alignment with strategic objectives.
• Collaborate with engineering leads to monitor progress and resolve blockers.
• Ensure integration across hardware and software domains, supporting system architecture planning.
• Manage program risks, implementing mitigation strategies and maintaining compliance documentation.
• Deliver updates to executive leadership, investors, and external partners.
• Prepare dashboards and status reports for program reviews.
• Interface with customers to manage expectations and ensure satisfaction.

Job Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Computer Science, or a related technical field; Master’s preferred.
• 7+ years of program management experience in defense, aerospace, or deep tech environments.
• Proven experience managing cross-functional hardware/software programs.
• Strong understanding of embedded systems, firmware development, and electrical engineering workflows.
• Familiarity with defense contracting, compliance, and security requirements (e.g., ITAR, DoD programs).
• Exceptional communication, leadership, and organizational skills.
• Preferred certifications: PMP, Agile, or equivalent program management certification.
• Experience in a startup or high-growth environment is advantageous.