Technical Program Manager

Technical Program Manager – Defense HardwareAn early-stage defense technology organization is seeking a Technical Program Manager to serve as the primary connection between engineering execution and program or contract delivery.This position combines technical program management with engineering oversight. The successful candidate will manage program schedules, budgets, risks, deliverables, and customer relationships while participating meaningfully in engineering design reviews and technical decision-making.The role will support hardware programs from early development through testing and final delivery, ensuring that technical execution remains aligned with schedule, cost, contractual, and regulatory requirements.Key ResponsibilitiesProgram ManagementManage schedules, budgets, risk registers, milestones, and deliverables across one or more defense hardware programsApply earned value management or an appropriate equivalent to monitor program performanceServe as the primary customer contact for program status, technical interchange meetings, and deliverable reviewsManage subcontractors, vendors, supply-chain dependencies, and external partners against program milestonesPrepare and present internal and customer-facing program reviewsManage contract deliverables, status reports, and risk-mitigation plansCoordinate contract compliance for cost-plus-fixed-fee, firm-fixed-price, and Other Transaction Authority agreementsWork closely with contracts and finance teams to maintain program compliance and financial controlEngineering Program ManagementPartner with engineering leaders on system architecture, design maturity, technical planning, and risk managementTranslate test failures, design changes, and supply-chain substitutions into schedule and cost impactsSupport requirements management and traceabilityDrive verification and validation planning, including test plans and acceptance criteriaParticipate as a technical stakeholder in preliminary design, critical design, and test-readiness reviewsEvaluate engineering trade-offs and support technical schedule decisionsResolve conflicts between changing engineering scope and approved program baselinesHelp maintain alignment among engineering requirements, contractual obligations, schedules, and budgetsCompliance and ProcessSupport compliance with ITAR, EAR, CMMC, and DFARS requirements as applicableContribute technical and scheduling input to proposals and business-development effortsMaintain configuration-management and documentation practices throughout the program lifecycleEnsure program documentation and customer deliverables are accurate, current, and completeRequired QualificationsMinimum of five years of experience in defense program management, systems engineering, or a combined program management and engineering roleDemonstrated experience managing physical hardware development programsWorking knowledge of Department of Defense acquisition processesFamiliarity with Contract Data Requirements Lists and common government contract typesExperience managing program schedules, budgets, risks, milestones, and deliverablesAbility to interpret and discuss engineering drawings, test data, specifications, and technical requirementsExperience working directly with engineering teams and participating in technical design reviewsStrong customer communication, presentation, organization, and problem-solving skillsAbility to manage vendors, subcontractors, and supply-chain dependenciesU.S. citizenship requiredPreferred QualificationsExperience with counter-unmanned aircraft systems, munitions, kinetic effectors, or related defense hardwarePMP or equivalent program-management certificationFamiliarity with CMMC Level 2 requirementsFamiliarity with ITAR, EAR, and DFARS complianceExperience working in an FFL- or FEL-regulated environmentPrevious experience with a startup or small defense contractorAbility to operate effectively in a fast-moving environment with evolving prioritiesQualified candidates with defense hardware program-management experience and strong technical credibility are encouraged to apply.