Senior Technical Program Manager, IRAD Programs
Function: Program Management / New Product Development
Reports to: Director of Program Management)
Position Overview Lead the execution and governance of internally funded research and development (IRAD) programs that mature hardware-based aerospace and defense technologies and prepare products for future market opportunities. This senior individual-contributor position manages approximately two to three concurrent development programs, from newly authorized efforts to programs already in progress, with an anticipated combined portfolio value of approximately $3 million to $10 million. The role requires technical fluency, disciplined program controls, sound judgment about development scope and completion criteria, and effective communication with senior executives. The program manager coordinates engineering and other subject-matter experts but does not directly design, develop, or test products.
Key Responsibilities
- Independently lead multiple internally funded technical development programs, owning scope, schedules, budgets, milestones, deliverables, risks, opportunities, and performance against approved objectives.
- Establish and maintain integrated program schedules, cost controls, risk and opportunity registers, action plans, and phase-gate / tollgate deliverables; apply earned value or comparable performance-management practices as appropriate.
- Coordinate matrixed teams across engineering, testing, manufacturing, quality, supply chain, finance, and other disciplines; negotiate access to shared personnel, facilities, and test resources without direct supervisory authority.
- Manage technology maturation and technology readiness level (TRL) progression; collaborate with technical experts on development priorities, decision points, and practical go/no-go recommendations.
- Prepare clear, accurate program-health dashboards and executive updates covering schedule, financial performance, technical progress, resource needs, and risks; present information to senior business leadership.
- Support alignment of IRAD investments with product-development priorities and market opportunities, coordinating with finance, business development, and technical leadership on business cases and transition opportunities.
- Use established organizational procedures, phase-gate controls, and applicable safety, quality, and export-control requirements; support process improvements and lessons learned.
- Adapt plans and priorities as technical discoveries, resource availability, and business needs evolve.
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- Required Qualifications
- Approximately 7 or more years of relevant program or project management experience, with substantial responsibility for technical development programs; equivalent depth of experience and relevant credentials will be considered.
- Prior experience in the aerospace and defense industry and sufficient engineering or technical knowledge to understand hardware product-development fundamentals and work credibly with technical specialists.
- Demonstrated ability to lead multiple concurrent technical programs and coordinate shared resources in a matrix environment.
- Experience with integrated schedules, cost control, risk/opportunity management, and structured program governance.
- Experience managing technology maturation and TRL-related development objectives.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Project and Power BI or closely comparable program-management and reporting tools.
- Strong executive-level communication, stakeholder management, prioritization, and independent decision-making skills.
- Bachelor’s degree in engineering, a technical discipline, or a related field preferred; equivalent relevant experience and professional certifications accepted in lieu of a degree.
- Due to U.S. Government contract requirements applicable to this position, only U.S. citizens are eligible for employment in this role.
