Senior Program Manager

Overview Are you a Senior Program Manager who enjoys owning complex programmes end-to-end, rather than just reporting status? Do you like working at the intersection of engineering, customers, and delivery, challenging assumptions and keeping programmes moving? Want full accountability for cost, schedule, risk, and outcomes on real hardware product? If yes, this is a great opportunity to join a defence electronics business delivering mission-critical, hardware-led products. You’ll take ownership of major contracts from award through delivery, acting as the single point of accountability and driving cross-functional teams to succeed. Responsibilities Join a well-established defence electronics manufacturer with long-term programmes and customers. Own complex product development programmes from contract award through product delivery. Act as the primary customer interface, managing communication, expectations, and delivery. Drive schedule, cost, and risk management across engineering, operations, finance, and supply chain. Gain exposure to business-level decision-making beyond a single programme or site. Programme Leadership Lead end-to-end programmes spanning hardware, firmware, and software development. Develop and maintain Integrated Master Schedules (IMS) to manage milestones, resources, and delivery commitments. Own programme financials, including budgets, forecasts, EAC/ETC, margin, and billing milestones. Lead all major phase-gate reviews (Kickoff, SRR, PDR, CDR, CA/PCA). Proactively identify and manage programme risks, issues, and recovery plans. Coordinate cross-functional teams across engineering, operations, supply chain, quality, and finance. Support new business pursuits, proposals, and cost/effort estimates. Mentor junior programme managers and strengthen programme execution discipline. Qualifications Experience : Managing complex product development programmes, not IT or software-only projects. Background : Hardware-led systems (defence, avionics, embedded systems, electronics, or similar). Confidence leading PDR/CDR events and constructively challenging engineering teams. Strong ownership of schedule recovery, cost control, and risk management. Experience acting as the customer-facing lead on active contracts. A proactive, self-starter mindset with the ability to make decisions under uncertainty. Education and Experience BS or MS in Engineering (or related discipline). 4+ years’ experience in Program Management and/or Product Development. Proven experience delivering products from development through to production. Familiarity with formal lifecycle and compliance frameworks (DO-178 / DO-254 / DO-...). Compensation and Career Path Compensation: Up to $180k (flexible DOE). This role offers a clear pathway beyond Technical Program Management. High-performing TPMs can progress into Business Unit Manager roles, taking ownership of multiple programmes, teams, and P&L responsibility, with a longer-term pathway into senior leadership and VP-level roles across the wider organisation. Apply now and receive feedback within one business day. #J-18808-Ljbffr