Director of Programs

Position Title: Director of Programs
Requisition ID: 1880
Position Location: Sterling, VA
Position Reports To: Product Line Director
Supervises Others : No

At Trident Systems Space Electronic Systems (SES) division, we believe in the power of using strong engineering principles to drive innovation and solve complex problems. We foster a culture of rigorous engineering and continuous improvement, leveraging the full knowledge of our organization through collaborative product development processes that include design and peer reviews. We combine our expertise in space electronics with right-sized development processes to create innovative, high-performance space-based electronic systems that meet our customers' evolving needs.

We are a mission partner supporting DoD, Intelligence Community, and Civil space customers. We develop complex, radiation effects mitigated, designs that balance competing requirements in modern space programs, delivering cutting-edge solutions that enable our customers to achieve more in space.

Position Summary

We're looking for a Director of Programs to lead execution of complex space electronics programs from development through production. In this role, you'll own program performance across cost, schedule, and risk, while serving as the primary interface to customers. You'll work closely with a Lead Systems Engineer who drives technical execution, allowing you to focus on delivery, coordination, and strategic program leadership. This role is ideal for a hands-on Program Manager who thrives in complex hardware development environments and enjoys building structure in dynamic programs.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Lead one or more space flight programs, ensuring successful execution
• Drive program performance to meet commitments, including ownership of cost, schedule, and risk management
• Develop and maintain an Integrated Master Schedule (IMS), including:
  • Critical path identification
  • Milestone forecasting
  • Resource-loaded planning
• Establish and manage labor and non-labor resource plans, including:
  • Defining required skill sets
  • Forecasting staffing needs and timing
• Identify engineering resource needs (skill sets, number of engineers, and timing) to support program execution
• Partner cross-functionally with Product Management, Engineering, Operations, Supply Chain, Contracts, and Finance to ensure aligned execution
• Drive subcontractor performance and accountability to meet program commitments
• Set expectations and ensure alignment across Systems Engineering and Integration & Test (SEIT) and broader engineering teams
• Maintain an accurate and current risk and opportunity matrix, including:
  • Risk burn-down plans
  • Mitigation strategies
  • Opportunity identification and tracking
• Serve as the primary customer interface, ensuring strong communication and satisfaction
• Oversee program financials, forecasting, and reporting
• Support proposal efforts and contribute to program growth opportunities
• Mentor and develop other Program Managers within the PMO

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree (or equivalent experience/combined education) and 15+ years (or Master's and 13+) of relevant experience
• Experience managing space or aerospace-related programs, ideally involving electronic systems or hardware development
• Proven success managing government programs (FAR-based contracts, multiple CLINs)
• Strong background in program financials, planning, and execution
• Experience leading product development programs (design → prototype → production)
• Working knowledge of government contract types
• PMP certification (or ability to obtain within 6 months)
• Proficiency with MS Project, Excel, PowerPoint, and Word

Preferred Qualifications

• Degree in Engineering or Business
• Familiarity with Earned Value Management (EVM)

Pay Information

Full-Time Salary Range: $173,000 - $262,000

Please Note: Actual compensation offered will be determined based on several factors including, but not limited to, relevant experience, skills, education, certifications, internal equity, business considerations, and geographic location where applicable.

Benefits

Hired applicants may be eligible for benefits including but not limited to:

• Health benefits
  • Medical
  • Dental
  • Vision
  • Basic life with AD&D
  • Short term disability
  • Long term disability
  • Ancillary (Voluntary life with AD&D, accident, critical illness, hospital, and pet)
  • Spending accounts (HSA, FSA, and DCFSA)
• Paid time off
• Holidays
• 401(k) (including automatic company contribution)
• Tuition reimbursement
• Leaves (Parental, pregnancy, and military)
• Annual Bonus Incentive

Trident Systems reserves the right to change or assign other duties to this position.


Trident Systems is an affirmative action and equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. To request reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, please contact View email address on click.appcast.io.

Pay Transparency: The contractor will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor's legal duty to furnish information. 41 CFR 60-1.35(c)