Principal Program Manager

Principal Program Manager

Location: Melbourne, FL, US, 32935

The Electro Optical Infrared Systems (EOIS) line of business within DRS develops, manufactures, and supports infrared and electro-optical solutions for soldiers, ground vehicles, and airborne platforms. We offer an exciting and challenging work environment, a competitive salary and benefits package, and a business culture that rewards performance.

Job Summary

The Principal Program Manager is responsible for ensuring successful execution of a portfolio of programs across the full lifecycle, including transition from development into low-rate initial production (LRIP), production, delivery, and sustainment. This role provides leadership in program execution, customer engagement, and continuous improvement.

Job Responsibilities

• Lead a portfolio of defense programs as a prime or subcontractor to domestic or foreign military organizations, across the full lifecycle, including development transition, low-rate initial production, production, delivery, and sustainment
• Direct daily execution of multiple programs in accordance with contract requirements to achieve cost, schedule, technical, quality, and delivery objectives
• Provide portfolio-level oversight of program performance, including financial results, execution health, customer commitments, risks, and recovery actions
• Monitor program status against established milestones and communicate performance, variances, risks, and corrective actions to management and key stakeholders
• Develop and implement recovery plans for at-risk programs, addressing schedule, technical, quality, production, supply chain, and delivery challenges
• Partner closely with Engineering, Manufacturing, Operations, Quality, Supply Chain, Finance, Contracts, and Business Development to resolve cross-functional issues and improve program outcomes
• Ensure successful transition from development into low-rate initial production and full production, including production readiness, material readiness, build execution, delivery performance, and risk reduction
• Lead coordination of engineering changes, configuration updates, corrective actions, and other actions required to maintain program execution and production performance
• Conduct program and portfolio reviews focused on financial performance, operational execution, trends, root cause analysis, corrective actions, delivery commitments, and continuous improvement opportunities
• Support business growth through bid and proposal activities, strong customer engagement, identification of follow-on opportunities, and effective management of revenue, margin, cash flow, and forecasts across the portfolio

Qualifications

Required Qualifications

• Minimum of 10+ years of program management experience, with significant experience supporting production programs in aerospace, defense, or a complex manufacturing environment
• Bachelor's degree or equivalent combination of education and experience; degree in Engineering, Finance, Supply Chain, Business, or a related field preferred
• Experience leading programs across the full lifecycle, including proposal development, contract award, development transition, low-rate initial production, production, delivery, and sustainment
• Strong knowledge of program management tools, processes, procedures, governance, and performance management practices
• Experience with earned value cost accounting and reporting, program metrics, forecasting, productivity analysis, and schedule/cost variance analysis
• Demonstrated ability to lead cross-functional teams across Engineering, Manufacturing, Operations, Quality, Supply Chain, Finance, Contracts, and Business Development
• Working knowledge of MRP/ERP systems, material planning, bills of material, production scheduling, inventory management, and supply chain execution
• Experience in production and manufacturing environments, including manpower planning, build execution, delivery management, issue resolution, and recovery of at-risk programs
• Strong leadership, coaching, mentoring, communication, presentation, and stakeholder management skills

Preferred Qualifications

• Knowledge of DoD contracting requirements and FAR procurement regulations
• Experience managing programs as a prime contractor and/or subcontractor for domestic or foreign military customers
• Experience supporting transition from development into low-rate initial production and full-rate production
• Experience in electro-mechanical assembly operations or other complex defense manufacturing environments
• Experience improving production performance through yield improvement, throughput improvement, rework reduction, and production flow optimization
• Experience implementing engineering changes and configuration updates in a production environment
• Experience influencing inventory strategy, material readiness, and supply chain performance to support production schedules and delivery commitments
• Experience leading structured root cause analysis, corrective action, and execution recovery efforts for underperforming programs
• Knowledge of continuous improvement methodologies such as Lean, Six Sigma, or related operational excellence disciplines
• Program Management certification preferred, such as PMP or DAU
• Active DOD security clearance preferred. U.S. Citizenship required. This position requires an active DOD security clearance or the ability to obtain such clearance within a reasonable time after commencement of employment.

Taking care of our people is a top priority at Leonardo DRS. We are proud to offer competitive salaries and comprehensive benefits, including medical, dental, and vision coverage, a company contribution to a health savings account, telemedicine, life and disability insurance, legal insurance, and a 401(k) savings plan. We champion wellness programs that focus on physical, emotional, and financial well-being. We develop our talent by offering programs and activities to support career-growth, professional development, and skill enhancement. And we understand there is more to life than work, and the importance of offering flexible work schedules with our 9/80 program, competitive vacation, health/emergency leave, paid parental leave, and community service hours.

Some employees are eligible for limited benefits only

Leonardo DRS, Inc. and its subsidiaries provide equal opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibit discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.

Our Vision. To be the leading mid-tier defense technology company in the U.S. Our Values. The Leonardo DRS culture is defined by our Core Values and Principles: - Integrity - Agility - Excellence - Customer Focus - Community & Respect - Innovation We strive to uphold them in all aspects of our business practices to inspire our employees and provide outstanding support for our customers.

Nearest Major Market: Melbourne