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Senior Program Manager
Location: Tampa, FL
Employment Type: Direct Hire
Clearance: Active Secret required; must be eligible to obtain TS/SCI
Overview
We are seeking an experienced Program Manager to lead complex aerospace and defense technology programs from early concept through production. This role is ideal for someone who has supported fast-moving technical programs, understands how to bring structure to ambiguity, and can drive execution across engineering, operations, manufacturing, and leadership teams.
The ideal candidate will have experience supporting advanced airborne platforms, mission systems, autonomous systems, or similar aerospace/defense technologies.
Responsibilities
- Lead complex technical programs from concept, prototype, or IRAD/R&D stages through development, integration, testing, and production.
- Own program schedules, milestones, critical path, risks, dependencies, and deliverables.
- Manage program performance using tools and methodologies such as EVM, RAID, integrated master schedules, and critical path tracking.
- Partner closely with engineering, manufacturing, operations, supply chain, finance, and executive leadership.
- Identify risks early, remove roadblocks, and escalate issues with clear recommendations.
- Drive accountability across cross-functional teams in a fast-paced, evolving environment.
- Support customer communications, executive updates, program reviews, and internal reporting.
- Help mature processes while remaining flexible in a high-growth, entrepreneurial environment.
Required Qualifications
- 10+ years of program management experience supporting complex technical, aerospace, defense, or engineering-driven programs.
- Experience taking programs from early-stage concept or R&D through production or operational deployment.
- Strong understanding of critical path management, EVM, RAID tracking, schedule management, and risk mitigation.
- Experience working with engineering, manufacturing, operations, and executive stakeholders.
- Ability to operate in a fast-paced environment with changing priorities and limited established process.
- Strong communication, leadership, and problem-solving skills.
- Active Secret clearance required.
- Must be eligible to obtain TS/SCI clearance.
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience supporting Autonomous Systems, Autonomous Platforms, Mission Systems, Flight Systems, Airborne Intelligence Platforms, Airborne Sensor Platforms, Advanced Aviation Systems, Aerospace Systems, or other complex aerospace and defense technologies.
- Experience supporting the development, integration, testing, or production of advanced airborne platforms and mission-critical technologies.
- Familiarity with IRAD/internal R&D programs and transitioning new technologies from concept through operational deployment.
- Experience with aerospace, defense, aviation, autonomous systems, airborne platforms, mission systems, or sensor/payload integration.
- Prior experience in both large defense environments and smaller/startup-style organizations.
- Familiarity with IRAD/internal R&D programs.
- Experience moving from ideation through development, testing, and production.
Ideal Candidate
The right person is a hands-on program leader who can move quickly, build structure, manage risk, and drive technical programs forward without getting slowed down by red tape. They should be comfortable in an environment that requires ownership, adaptability, and strong communication across technical and executive audiences.
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