Sr Principal Program Manager

Job Title: Sr Principal Program Manager
Location: Melbourne, FL

Employment Type: Direct Hire

Industry:  Defense & Aerospace
Compensation: $147k-$197
Shift: 1st

Schedule: 9x80

About the Opportunity:

The Sr Principal Program Manager works closely with Program Leadership and Engineering to manage a development program or a project, or new product development project portfolio for a product line. May need to intercede with Engineering Management or other functional management to accomplish objectives.  Work outcomes may encompass product development, services or both. Manages and ensures the timely completion of specific, defined technical programs or projects within the product line. Oversee a team or portion of a program to plan, track and execute project plans from start to completion using specific technical knowledge.

What You'll Do:

• Lead the planning, execution, and delivery of technical development programs and new product initiatives from kickoff through successful completion.
• Partner closely with Program Leadership, Engineering, and cross-functional teams to achieve project milestones, performance goals, and customer commitments.
• Develop and manage detailed project plans, ensuring programs remain on schedule, within budget, and aligned with business objectives.
• Oversee cross-functional teams, providing leadership, direction, and coordination throughout the entire program lifecycle.
• Collaborate with engineering leaders to resolve technical and program challenges, removing obstacles to keep projects moving forward.
• Track program progress, identify risks, and implement proactive solutions to ensure successful project execution.
• Manage product development efforts for hardware, software, services, or integrated solutions while maintaining quality and performance standards.
• Communicate program status, priorities, and key updates to internal stakeholders, leadership, and customers as needed.
• Drive continuous improvement by supporting efficient project execution, cross-functional collaboration, and successful delivery of innovative products and services.

Why You'll Love Working Here:

• Supportive, team-driven culture that values collaboration, transparency, and accountability 
• Opportunity to grow your career with a global workforce solutions leader serving multiple industries 
• People-first environment that encourages employees to bring their authentic selves to work 
• Strong focus on partnership, innovation, and delivering meaningful results for clients and candidates 

Why This Opportunity is Exciting:

This role offers the chance to join a company that prioritizes both people and performance-where your contributions directly impact client success while giving you room to grow and develop professionally. 

About Acara Solutions

Acara is a premier recruiting and workforce solutions provider-we help companies compete for talent. With a legacy of experience in various industries worldwide, we partner with clients, listen to their needs, and customize visionary talent solutions that drive desired business outcomes. We leverage decades of experience to deliver contingent staffing, direct placement, executive search, and workforce services worldwide.

Sound like a good fit?

TODAY

Job Requirements

What You'll Bring:

• Bachelor's degree in STEM related field required (graduate degree in STEM-related/Finance e.g., or MBA desired)
• 15+ years of experience managing product development efforts to include proposal development, requirements decomposition, generation of system and subsystem statements of work and subcontracts, risk management, and continuous improvement efforts including implementation for cost reduction and performance improvement efforts
• 15+ years of experience managing products through rapid prototyping and transition to production (desired)
• 7+ years of experience in leadership and management, particularly 'influence management' and 'conflict resolution'
• 10+ years of experience with earned value cost accounting and reporting; experience with metrics for assessing and reporting program progress, productivity and variance analysis
• 10+ years of experience in finance, contracting, export regulations, engineering, logistics, manufacturing and supply chain management

What Sets You Apart:

• Master's degree in STEM-related/Finance
• Advanced knowledge of program management tools and procedures
• DoD experience
• Knowledge of program management tools and procedures
• Solid leadership and management skills
• Strong problem-solving, presentation, and communication skills
• Experience with managing manpower planning, project reviews, scheduling and budget control
• Ability to manage aerospace/defense programs as a prime or subcontractor to a domestic or foreign military organization   
• Program Management certification preferred (i.e. PMP or DAU)

Additional Information:

• Upon offer of employment, the individual will be subject to a background check and a drug screen

• In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification form upon hire.
• Successful candidate must be able to obtain and main (level of) security clearance.

After you , you may receive a call or message from our AI Talent Scout about this role or other opportunities that match your skills and preferences. AI agent role is to help speed up your hiring process by answering questions, confirming basic information, and identifying whether there's a mutual fit.

The call or chat may be recorded so that our recruiting team can review it - they make all final hiring decisions, while AI agent simply helps move you forward faster. The best part? They are available 24/7, so you can connect whenever it's convenient for you.

By ing for this job, you agree to receive calls, AI-generated calls, text messages, or emails from Acara Solutions and its affiliates, and contracted partners. Frequency varies for text messages. Message and data rates may . Carriers are not liable for delayed or undelivered messages. You can reply STOP to cancel and HELP for help. You can access our privacy policy at Website Privacy Policy | Acara

Aleron companies (Acara Solutions, Aleron Shared Resources, Broadleaf Results, Lume Strategies, TalentRise, Viaduct) are an Equal Opportunity Employer. Race/Color/Gender/Religion/National Origin/Disability/Veteran.

Applicants for this position must be legally authorized to work in the United States. This position does not meet the employment requirements for individuals with F-1 OPT STEM work authorization status.