Senior Technical Program Manager, IRAD Programs

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.

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.

Preferred Qualifications

• PMP, PMI-ACP, Lean/Six Sigma, or related program-management credentials.
• Direct IRAD, new product development, or other internally funded technology-development program experience.
• Familiarity with stage-gate new product development, manufacturing readiness levels (MRL), and DoD acquisition environments.
• Experience with energetics, ordnance, propulsion, energetic-electronic products, or related regulated hardware development.
• Knowledge of explosives safety, hazard classification, applicable DoD technical standards, and export-controlled development environments; specialized procedures can be learned after hire.
• Experience coordinating the maturation or transition of internally developed technology into future customer-funded opportunities.

Measures of Success

• Independently assumes primary program ownership after onboarding and successfully manages scope, budget, schedules, and risk.
• Delivers program milestones and phase-gate decisions with disciplined financial and technical oversight.
• Advances technology readiness while maintaining realistic scope and effective use of shared resources.
• Provides concise, reliable executive-level program reporting and timely escalation of issues.
• Maintains safety, quality, and regulatory compliance while adapting to changing priorities.

Work Environment

Fully on-site, Monday through Friday. Daily hours align with the assigned engineering teams. Occasional travel (approximately 5%) may include Chandler, AZ; Hollister, CA; and potentially Solon, OH. The role operates in a collaborative, fast-changing, hardware-development environment. Relocation assistance may be considered for a qualified candidate, subject to approval.