Head of Production and Programming

About Canopy Aerospace & Defense Canopy Technologies is the R&D innovation engine powering Canopy Aerospace and Defense, accelerating the future of advanced materials for space, defense, and maritime systems. Canopy delivers specialized materials, components, and systems for re‑entry vehicles, rockets, spacecraft, submarines, and more. Canopy A&D’s advanced signal attenuation technologies and production‑scale manufacturing accelerate the fielding of platforms that are faster, cooler, and quieter. Canopy Technologies is focused on rapidly developing and deploying innovations in advanced materials such as hypersonic thermal protection systems, embedded high‑temperature sensors, robotically applied ceramic coatings, and additive manufacturing of novel ceramics. Our adaptive approach ensures solutions evolve at the pace of shifting challenges, keeping our customers ahead of the curve.
Role Overview As a Program Manager at Canopy Technologies, you will lead cross‑functional teams to deliver innovative thermal protection solutions from concept through production. You’ll serve as the key technical liaison between customers and internal teams, ensuring alignment on goals, timelines, and deliverables. This role is essential to advancing Canopy Technologies’ mission of developing cutting‑edge thermal protection technologies by coordinating joint development efforts, managing program risks, and driving informed decision‑making across the organization.
Key Responsibilities Align cross‑functional teams—including engineering, manufacturing, quality, and supply chain—on program goals, timelines, and deliverables to ensure seamless execution from concept through production.
Serve as the primary technical liaison for customers, translating feedback into actionable engineering tasks and ensuring alignment with program objectives and requirements.
Represent technical content clearly and effectively to both internal stakeholders and external partners, including customers, suppliers, and sister companies.
Support proposal and business capture efforts for new and existing customers.
Coordinate joint development efforts across affiliated companies and business units, ensuring shared milestones, resources, and deliverables are met.
Identify, assess, and mitigate program risks early, implementing contingency plans to maintain schedule and technical performance.
Track program progress using project management tools, maintaining visibility on key milestones, budgets, and resource allocation.
Prepare dashboards, KPIs, and performance metrics for internal leadership and customer review to project programs health and status.
Facilitate timely and informed decision‑making by providing data‑driven insights, technical context, and clear trade‑off analyses to leadership and engineering teams.
Support the development and qualification of Canopy Technologies’ thermal protection materials and other products/development projects across all affiliated partners.
Travel to customer sites, test facilities, and partner locations as needed to support program execution and integration activities.
Security Clearance (Secret or higher). This includes meeting background check and other requirements, as required for access to controlled defense‑related information and facilities.
Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or a related technical field, or equivalent industry experience working on cross‑functional engineering teams.
5+ years of experience in technical program or project management, preferably in aerospace, defense, or advanced materials industries.
Experience managing programs involving launch vehicles, missile systems, thermal protection systems, thermal design, and/or composite materials.
Proven leadership track record in managing and owning complex, multi‑disciplinary engineering products or systems from concept through delivery.
Demonstrated ability to lead joint programs across internal departments and external partners or customers.
Strong technical background with direct experience in thermal control systems, vibration isolation materials/sub‑systems, radar absorption materials/sub‑systems and the ability to understand and communicate complex engineering concepts.
Experience with risk management, milestone and performance (KPI) tracking, and project planning tools (e.g., MS Project, Jira, Confluence, Smartsheet).
Security Clearance (Secret or higher).
PMP or similar project management certification.
Master’s degree in Engineering, Business, or a related field.
Experience working with PLM systems and CAD tools to support engineering collaboration.
Experience with qualification and development testing, in addition to production testing environments.
Background in customer‑facing roles or business development in a technical environment.
Hands‑on experience working with advanced metallic and non‑metallic materials including but not limited to super alloys, ceramics, composites or elastomers.
Work Environment Ability to work in office, lab, and manufacturing environments with occasional exposure to noise, dust, and temperature variations.
Must be able to lift and carry up to 35 lb and perform tasks involving standing, walking, bending, and manual assembly.
Visual acuity required for reading technical drawings, inspecting components, and operating precision instruments.
Occasional travel to customer or test sites, including outdoor or industrial settings, with adherence to company and OSHA safety protocols.
Benefits Company paid employee medical, dental and vision insurance. Retirement plan participation (eligibility required), paid sick leave, paid vacation, paid holidays and discretionary bonuses.
Type: Full Time
Travel: Up to 25%
Export Control Requirements To conform to US Government export regulations, the applicant must be a (i) US Citizen, (ii) lawful permanent resident of the U.Employment decisions are based on merit, competence, and qualifications without regard to race, color, religion, gender, national origin/ethnicity, veteran status, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, mental or physical disability, or any other legally protected status.

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