Program Manager, Massed Modular Aircraft

Description

The company builds a multi-product defense portfolio on Coherent Distributed Networks (CDN), used by warfighters, commercial air operators and border protection teams to respond faster and adjust quickly to shifting threats.

Founded in 2022, the company has raised $1 billion from backers including 8VC, Accel and Valor Equity Partners. It is based in Los Angeles, with offices in Washington, D.C., San Francisco, San Diego and London, and has more than 500 employees.

This role leads planning, execution and delivery of an autonomous Massed Modular Aircraft program contracted through the Defense Innovation Unit (DIU).

You will own cost, schedule and technical performance (CSP) baselines from proposal through development, test, production and sustainment. You will be the main link to customers, including DoW, government agencies and international buyers, as well as internal engineering, operations and supply chain teams. The job calls for real program management skill and hands-on understanding of military aircraft.

Responsibilities

• Hold full program P&L: cost performance, IMS/IMP schedule adherence, risk and opportunity management, and technical baseline control (EVMS-lite) across the lifecycle.
• Be the main contact for customer program offices such as PEO and PM offices, and run program reviews including PMR, technical interchange meetings and milestone reviews.
• Lead cross-functional IPTs covering systems engineering, airframe, aerodynamics, guidance, propulsion, warhead and payload integration, avionics, software, manufacturing, quality, test and logistics.
• Build and maintain the IMS, manage the critical path and resolve schedule conflicts.
• Run risk and opportunity registers and drive mitigation for technical, schedule, cost and supply chain risks.
• Support proposals by generating BOEs, writing technical volume input, shaping pricing strategy and running capture work for new and follow-on business.
• Oversee the lifecycle from requirements decomposition through SRR, PDR/CDR, integration, flight and static test, TRR and PRR.
• With the Chief Engineer and systems engineering lead, review trade studies, verify requirements traceability and confirm design maturity gates are met.
• Oversee airworthiness, flight safety and range safety processes and compliance with applicable safety standards.
• Coordinate DT&E and OT&E campaigns, including flight test, captive carry, HIL/SIL labs, and environmental and qualification testing.
• Keep configuration management and technical data package integrity across engineering releases.
• Manage contract performance against FAR/DFARS, CDRLs and CLINs, and support contract modifications and ECPs.
• Ensure ITAR/EAR export control, DoW security requirements (NISPOM) and airspace and range approvals such as FAA COA and military range safety are met.
• Manage supply chain and subcontractor performance for long-lead and critical parts: seekers, guidance electronics, propulsion, warheads, airframes and avionics.
• Report program status, financial performance and risk posture to executive leadership and customer stakeholders.

Requirements

• At least 15 years of program or project management in defense or aerospace, with direct experience managing an aircraft program.
• Bachelor's degree in engineering or a related technical field.
• Working knowledge of Earned Value Management Systems (EVMS), IMS development and risk management processes.
• Experience running programs under FAR/DFARS contract types (CPFF, CPIF and FFP) and supporting government program offices.
• Strong leadership, negotiation and executive communication skills, with a record of leading cross-functional IPTs through influence.
• Willingness to travel, typically 20 to 30%, to customer sites, test ranges, and manufacturing or integration facilities.
• Preferred: master's degree or MBA.
• Preferred: PMP certification.
• Preferred: experience supporting Foreign Military Sales (FMS) or international program execution.
• Preferred: experience with digital engineering environments and model-based acquisition approaches.
• Preferred: prior experience as a Chief Engineer, Deputy Program Manager or Integration Lead before moving into program management.
• Preferred: ability to obtain and maintain a Secret, Top Secret or SCI clearance.

Conditions

This role is onsite.

The stated pay range covers base salary only and excludes bonus, equity and benefits. The range is an estimate, and the actual offer may vary based on experience, education, training, critical skills and business considerations.

Candidates whose pay expectations fall outside the range are still encouraged to apply.

Benefits

• Medical, dental and vision benefits, 100% paid by the company.
• 401k with a 50% company match on up to 6% of pay, plus FSA, HSA, life insurance and more.
• Free lunch on onsite workdays, a fully stocked kitchen, unlimited PTO and a casual dress code.
• Competitive base salaries, generous pre-IPO stock option grants, relocation assistance, and annual bonuses coming soon.