Senior Program Manager

Senior Program Manager

We are seeking a dynamic Senior Program Manager to lead and support aerospace and defense programs from proposal through execution. This role serves as a vital interface among customers, program teams, engineering, and operations. The Senior Program Manager is responsible for managing schedules, budgets, deliverables, customer communications, and program execution. This is a highly visible position that requires hands-on involvement in both production and engineering environments, ideal for someone who thrives in a fast-paced, small-company setting.

Responsibilities

• Manage 1-2 aerospace/defense programs.
• Lead customer communications and facilitate weekly status meetings.
• Coordinate project schedules, milestones, and deliverables.
• Support proposal development and budgeting activities.
• Monitor program performance using Earned Value Management System (EVMS) principles.
• Facilitate design reviews and project reviews.
• Work cross-functionally with engineering, operations, and leadership teams.
• Develop presentations, technical documents, and customer-facing materials.
• Track project costs, labor hours, materials, and schedules.
• Maintain strong communication with internal and external stakeholders.
• Collaborate with operators and technical teams on the production floor.

Essential Skills

• Program management experience in the aerospace, defense, or space industry.
• Bachelor's degree, preferably in Engineering.
• Experience managing technical programs from proposal through execution.
• Direct experience communicating with customers.
• Earned Value Management System (EVMS) experience.
• Microsoft Project experience.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• PMP certification.
• Experience with design reviews.
• Ability to negotiate or develop program budgets.
• Experience with prime contractor customers.

Work Environment

You will work in a growing aerospace/defense organization with approximately 45 employees. This small-company environment encourages employees to wear multiple hats, fostering a culture centered around integrity, accountability, flexibility, and transparent customer communication. The role requires the ability to work onsite in San Diego.

Job Type & Location

This is a Permanent position based out of Poway, CA.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $155000.00 - $210000.00/yr.

100% of health insurance premiums covered for employee and by-law dependents 401k match: 100% of the first 1%, 50% of the next 5% (in simple terms, you must contribute 6% to receive the full match of 3.5%), vested after 2 years Lunch provided daily

Workplace Type

This is a fully onsite position in Poway, CA.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Jul 7, 2026.