Engineering Program Manager

Engineering Program Manager – Maritime & Defense Programs

San Diego, CA | Relocation Assistance Available

We're hiring an Engineering Program Manager to lead complex, high-impact engineering programs supporting maritime and defense customers.

This is an exciting opportunity for someone with a strong technical foundation who enjoys working at the intersection of engineering, program execution, and customer engagement. We're looking for a hands-on, technically minded Program Manager with experience supporting hardware and software development—not someone with a purely customer-facing background.

You'll work closely with engineering teams and defense stakeholders to translate complex technical challenges into real-world solutions, taking ownership of programs from initial planning through successful delivery.

Key Responsibilities

• Own and manage complex engineering programs from kickoff through delivery, ensuring milestones, timelines, and technical objectives are met.
• Partner closely with software, hardware, and systems engineering teams to drive program execution.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for customers, building strong relationships and translating technical requirements into actionable plans.
• Coordinate cross-functional teams, resources, schedules, and deliverables to support program success.
• Identify technical challenges, mitigate risks, and proactively resolve program roadblocks.
• Support technical proposals, RFQs, and new business opportunities in collaboration with engineering leadership.
• Identify opportunities to improve existing processes, launch new initiatives, and expand program capabilities.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, Data Engineering, or a related technical discipline.
• 2+ years of experience in technical program management, engineering project management, or a related role.
• Experience managing complex hardware and/or software engineering programs from development through delivery.
• Strong technical foundation with an understanding of engineering development, integration, and testing processes.
• Proven ability to coordinate cross-functional engineering teams and manage competing technical priorities.
• Experience building programs, developing processes, or driving new technical initiatives.
• Strong communication, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
• U.S. citizenship and ability to obtain a security clearance.
• Willingness to travel to customer sites approximately 25% of the time.

Preferred Qualifications

• Active Secret or Top Secret security clearance.
• Experience supporting Department of Defense (DoD) or maritime customers.
• Background in hardware/software integration, systems engineering, or technical product development.
• Familiarity with simulation, autonomy, data management, or defense technologies.
• Experience with high-performance computing, real-time systems, or engineering test environments.

Why Consider This Opportunity?

• High-ownership role with direct exposure to complex, mission-critical engineering programs.
• Opportunity to work alongside highly technical engineering teams developing cutting-edge defense technology.
• Strong mentorship and career growth opportunities.
• Open to early-career technical program managers looking to take on greater responsibility.
• Relocation assistance available for candidates outside the San Diego area.

Interested? Apply today or reach out directly to learn more!