SUMMARYThe Program Director provides strategic leadership for a Division composed of Integrated Product Teams (IPTs), ensuring excellence in program execution across cost, schedule, and technical performance. This role is accountable for successful contract delivery, Division workforce development, and sustained business growth.
The Program Director fosters a high-performing, collaborative work environment and partners closely with Chief Engineers to achieve program objectives. Reporting to the Senior Director of Programs, this role also contributes to shaping enterprise-wide structures, tools, processes, and capabilities to support execution of large-scale strategic programs across Karman Space & Defense (Karman SD).
COMPENSATION & BENEFITS - Medical, Dental, Vision
- Company Paid Life Insurance
- 401(k) Retirement Savings Plan
- Paid Time Off (PTO)
- Paid Holidays
- Tuition Reimbursement*
WHAT YOU WILL DOProgram & Operational Leadership
- Direct and oversee all aspects of Division program execution, ensuring performance objectives for cost, schedule, and technical outcomes are consistently met.
- Provide strategic, technical, and business leadership across Division projects.
- Monitor and evaluate program performance, implementing corrective actions as needed.
- Maintain full accountability for financial, schedule, and technical performance across the Division and its IPTs.
- Plan, justify, and manage the procurement and allocation of resources required to support the Division's contract portfolio.
People Leadership & Development- Cultivate an inclusive, high-performance work environment that maximizes employee engagement and productivity.
- Align personnel skills and experience with program needs.
- Lead workforce planning, including hiring, performance management, and, when necessary, terminations.
- Oversee professional development through mentoring, training, and career growth opportunities.
- Ensure balanced workloads and effective utilization of Division staff.
- Maintain overall accountability for Division personnel.
Business Growth & Customer Engagement- Drive Division growth through active participation in business development and strategic initiatives.
- Build and maintain strong relationships with customers, including prime contractors and government agencies.
- Oversee development of and be the responsible signatory for high-quality, compliant, and financially sound proposals.
- Ensure accountability for the content, accuracy, and competitiveness of all Division proposals.
- Collaborate with market directors and enterprise leadership to identify and pursue growth opportunities.
Collaboration & Enterprise Leadership- Partner effectively with other Divisions and Departments to deliver integrated solutions for customers and the enterprise.
- Support enterprise-wide initiatives, proposals, and operational improvements.
- Contribute to the development and implementation of organizational processes, tools, and infrastructure to enhance program execution.
- Manage and maintain Division budgets in alignment with company objectives.
WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR- Required: Bachelor of Science in Engineering or a related technical field
- Preferred: Master of Science in Engineering or a related technical field
- Minimum of 10 years of experience in the space and defense industry
- Proven ability to lead, plan, and execute programs valued at $100M or greate
- Demonstrated success in Division or large-team leadership roles
- Experience managing customer relationships with prime contractors and U.S. government agencies
- Familiarity with global supply chain operations
- Must be a U.S. citizen
- Must possess and maintain an active DoD SECRET clearance
- Willingness and ability to obtain higher-level clearances up to TOP SECRET/SCI/SAP
