Position OverviewThe Senior Engineer / Senior Program Manager serves as a technical and programmatic leader responsible for the development, integration, testing, and fielding of advanced mission systems supporting U.S. Special Operations Forces (SOF), Department of Defense (DoD), and other national security customers.
This position requires a highly experienced professional with a proven track record leading multidisciplinary engineering teams, managing complex defense programs, and transitioning innovative technologies from concept development through Low-Rate Initial Production (LRIP), full-rate production, and operational deployment. The ideal candidate combines strong technical expertise with strategic program leadership and a deep understanding of SOF mission requirements.
Key Responsibilities- Lead the technical execution and program management of complex defense and national security programs supporting SOF and DoD customers.
- Direct the design, development, integration, test, and deployment of ruggedized hardware, software, communications, sensing, and mission-enabling systemsoperatingin austere and contested environments.
- Manage engineering efforts across the complete product lifecycle, including requirements development, architecture definition, prototyping, system integration, verification, validation, LRIP transition, production, and fielding.
- Establish andmaintainprogram plans, schedules, budgets, risk management strategies, and performance metrics to ensure successful program execution.
- Provide technical leadership and mentorship to multidisciplinary engineering teams, fostering innovation, accountability, and engineering excellence.
- Coordinate closely with government stakeholders, operational users, subcontractors, and internal functional teams to ensure mission and programobjectivesare achieved.
- Support customer engagements, technical reviews, design reviews, demonstrations, operational assessments, and executive briefings.
- Lead troubleshooting, root-cause analysis, and sustainment activities for deployed systems in laboratory, manufacturing, and operational environments.
- Partnerwith manufacturing, quality, and supply chain organizations to ensure design-for-manufacturability, design-for-testability, and production readinessobjectivesare achieved.
- Support business development efforts by contributing technicalexpertiseto capture activities, proposal development, solution architecture, and customer engagement strategies.
- Maintain awareness of emerging technologies, operational needs, and evolving mission requirements to drive innovation and future capability development.
Basic Qualifications- 30+ years of experience supporting Department of Defense, U.S. Special Operations Forces, Intelligence Community, or other federal mission partners.
- Demonstrated success leading complex engineering programs from concept development through production and operational deployment.
- Extensive experience with systems engineering, electromechanical integration, electronics design, and ruggedized mission system development.
- Strong understanding of defense acquisition processes, technology maturation, and product transition into production environments.
- Experience supporting operational fielding activities, deployed system troubleshooting, and sustainment operations.
- Proven ability to manage cross-functional teams while balancing technical, schedule, cost, and performanceobjectives.
- Exceptional communication, leadership, and customer engagement skills with experience interfacing directly with senior government and military stakeholders.
Preferred Qualifications- Experience supporting Special Operations Forces programs, rapid capability development efforts, or urgent operational needs initiatives.
- Operational knowledge of maritime, naval, expeditionary, or special mission systems.
- Experience managing complex engineering portfolios involving multiple programs, subcontractors, and strategic partners.
- Background in advanced sensing, communications, RF systems,WiGigtechnologies, fiber-optic sensing, ISR systems, autonomous platforms, counter-UAS technologies, or maritime interdiction solutions.
- Experience supporting technology demonstrations, experimentation events, operational assessments, and field exercises.
- Familiarity with DoD acquisition pathways, rapid prototyping, rapid fielding, and Middle Tier Acquisition programs.
Clearance Requirements- Active Secret orTop Secretsecurity clearance.
- Eligibility for Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI) access.
- Ability tomaintainrequired security clearances and access authorizations.
Benefits:
- Comprehensive Coverage:Health, Dental, and Vision insurance through UnitedHealthcare with a 50% employer contribution.
- Insurance Protection:Competitive short- and long-term disability, basic life insurance, and Workers' Compensation coverage.
- Retirement Plans:Traditional and Roth 401(k) options with a 4% employer match through John Hancock with immediate vesting.
- Paid Time Off:Generous PTO, including 160 hours of PTO and 11 days of paid holiday leave.
