BAE Systems

Dir I- Programs

BAE Systems • $125K — $150K *
Aerospace & Defense
8 - 10 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's Degree and 10 years of relevant experience
  • Strong communication skills in cross-functional teams
  • Experience in all Lifecycle Management Phases
  • Visible leadership and influencing strategic thinking
  • Proficiency in quality management tools and industry standards
  • Ability to work fully onsite in a classified environment and maintain security clearance

Responsibilities

  • Lead the Advanced Lasers portfolio and transition products into production
  • Execute complex programs through disciplined planning and risk management
  • Mentor Lifecycle Management Program Managers for effective execution
  • Maintain long-term product health through supplier oversight and risk mitigation
  • Expand product adoption across customers, platforms, and missions
  • Develop technology roadmaps and investment strategies for the portfolio

Benefits

  • Collaborative work environment with a focus on leadership development
  • Opportunity to influence strategic direction in a key product area
  • Exposure to multi-disciplinary teams and high-level program management
  • Challenging work in a classified setting with unique technological projects
  • Potential for professional growth through mentorship and training programs
Full Job Description
Job Description

Job Description:
Due to the classified nature of the work and the need for close collaboration across program, engineering, operations, and other functional teams, this position is fully onsite.

The Integrated Survivability Solutions (ISS) product line within the Countermeasures & Electromagnetic Attack Solutions (CEMA) Business is seeking an experienced leader to serve as Program Director for the Advanced Lasers portfolio within the Optics & Countermeasures Product Area.

This leader will have day-to-day responsibility for a recently qualified laser product transitioning into production, while also providing portfolio-level leadership for a related product currently in active sustainment. The role will be responsible for driving successful production execution, ensuring long-term product and supply-base health, leveraging commonality across the portfolio, and delivering strong financial and operational performance.

Key expectations of the role include:
  • Lead the Advanced Lasers portfolio, including transition of a newly qualified product into production and oversight of related products across the lifecycle.
  • Lead complex program execution through disciplined planning, financial management, schedule management, risk and opportunity management, and proactive resolution of technical and operational challenges.
  • Provide leadership and mentorship to Lifecycle Management Program Managers, establishing strong program management rigor, accountability, and predictable execution across the portfolio.
  • Maintain long-term product health through proactive supplier surveillance, risk mitigation, and effective use of commonality across the portfolio.
  • Grow the existing portfolio by expanding product adoption across additional customers, platforms, and missions.
  • Shape the next generation of the portfolio through technology roadmaps, investment strategy, customer-funded maturation, and future capture opportunities, while building a culture of trust, collaboration, accountability, and excellence.


Required Skills and Education

Required Education, Experience, & Skills:
  • Bachelors Degree and 10 years work experience
  • Experience working with multi-discipline cross functional project teams, utilizing strong communication and collaboration skills to successfully manage transition to production activities.
  • Experience working in all aspects of Lifecycle Management Phases.
  • Demonstrate visible leadership across the business by leading by example and influencing strategic thinking across functions.
  • Excellent written and oral communication skills with experience presenting to senior leaders and customers
  • Business acumen mindset, awareness within and outside the business
  • Experience managing Operations performance by monitoring quality, schedule and cost performance of all Operations functions.
  • Experience executing Quality Science tools (APQP/PPAP, 8D RCCA, Statistical Process Controls, Lean Six Sigma, Auditing) along with relevant industry standards (AS9100, AS9102, AS9145)
  • Ability to work fully onsite in a classified program environment and obtain and maintain the required SAP/SAR clearance level.


Preferred Skills and Education

Preferred Education, Experience, & Skills:
  • Demonstrated experience leading complex defense programs with responsibility for cost, schedule, technical performance, risk and opportunity management, customer commitments, and cross-functional execution.
  • Demonstrated ability to lead and develop Program Managers and establish effective program management practices across multiple programs or products.
  • Project Management Professional (PMP) certification strongly preferred.
  • Master's degree
  • EMD (Engineering and Manufacturing Development) phase leadership
  • Experience running 3P Kaizens (Production, Preparation, Process)
  • Lean Six Sigma Green/Black Belt Certified


This position will be posted for at least 5 calendar days. The posting will remain active until the position is filled, or a qualified pool of candidates is identified.

About BAE Systems

BAE Systems plc is a British multinational arms, security, and aerospace company. It is among the world's largest defense contractors, with over 85,000 employees and operations in over 40 countries. BAE Systems is involved in the design, development, and manufacture of a wide range of products and services, including military aircraft, naval ships, and land vehicles. The company also provides a range of cybersecurity and intelligence services. BAE Systems has a long history, dating back to the 19th century, and has been involved in many major defense projects. Visit baesystems.com for more information.
Learn more about BAE Systems
Size
90,500 employees
Industry
Founded
1997
NASDAQ

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