Kratos Defense and Security Solutions

Program Deputy Director - SPY-1

Kratos Defense and Security Solutions • $120K — $145K *
Crane, IN 47522In-Person
Aerospace & Defense
11 - 15 years of experience
Today
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Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • BS/BA degree required
  • 15+ years of experience in defense programs
  • 3+ years in program or technical leadership roles
  • Experience managing Department of War hardware-intensive projects (e.g., radar)
  • Knowledge of government acquisition practices and sustainment planning
  • U.S. Citizenship required

Responsibilities

  • Lead project execution managing costs, schedules, performance, and risks
  • Develop and manage integrated master schedules (IMS) and work breakdown structures (WBS)
  • Coordinate technical tasking and reviews across Integrated Product Teams (IPTs)
  • Manage relationships with government and subcontractors for programmatic issues
  • Ensure alignment of engineering execution with government readiness requirements
  • Lead proposal development and scope expansions for radar sustainment
  • Identify business development opportunities in radar programs
  • Maintain communication with team, suppliers, customers, and leadership
  • Ensure compliance with government program standards and data management

Benefits

  • Collaborative work environment
  • Opportunities for professional development and training
  • Engagement in critical defense projects
  • Potential for strategic influence in program direction
  • Travel opportunities to various government and industry sites
Full Job Description
GENERAL JOB SUMMARY:

The Program Deputy Director leads critical radar sustainment and modernization efforts for our government customer. The selected candidate will manage the planning, execution, and delivery of advanced radar refurbishment, testing, and integration activities. This role is pivotal to ensuring technical excellence, cost-effective execution, and alignment with US Department of War mission readiness objectives.

The Program Deputy Director will oversee efforts across design, systems engineering, manufacturing, and sustainment planning. Responsibilities span internal team leadership, coordination with government sponsors, and collaboration with key industry partners.

Primary Responsibilities:
  • Lead execution of projects, managing cost, schedule, performance, and risk across multiple technical domains and phases (harvesting, prototyping, test, depot planning).
  • Develop and manage integrated master schedules (IMS), work breakdown structures (WBS), and program management baselines in alignment with contractual milestones.
  • Coordinate technical tasking and reviews across IPTs.
  • Manage government and subcontractor relationships, serving as primary interface for all programmatic matters, including milestone reviews and performance reporting.
  • Ensure alignment between engineering execution and government requirements for readiness, affordability, and technical data control.
  • Lead development of proposals, ROMs, and scope expansions for follow-on phases and associated radar sustainment efforts.
  • Support strategic business development by identifying opportunities to expand adjacent radar sustainment and modernization programs.
  • Provide strategic thinking towards technical innovation and customer engagement.
  • Maintain ongoing communication with team, suppliers, customers, and leadership.
  • Ensure compliance with government program standards, data rights management, cybersecurity, and technical baseline control processes.


Essential Job Functions:
  • Create and maintain program plans, cost models, and resource forecasts.
  • Communicate and support internal and external resources (staff, facilities, and equipment).
  • Create project milestone plans, schedules, and contract work breakdown structures as appropriate.
  • Responsible for project budget, schedule, monitoring, and completion of goals and milestones in accordance with approved plans.
  • Conduct recurring reviews of technical progress, financial, and risk mitigation plans.
  • Oversee development of program artifacts including CONOPS, digital engineering deliverables, and sustainment documentation.
  • Engage directly with government stakeholders to ensure timely resolution of issues, alignment with shipyard schedules, and program objectives.
  • Coordinate across Kratos internal divisions and external OEMs to ensure seamless execution and technical continuity.
  • Travel as needed to government sites, radar facilities, and Kratos integration locations (up to 25%).


Required Experience and Qualifications:
  • BS/BA degree
  • Minimum of 15 years of experience in defense programs, with at least 3 years in program or technical leadership roles.
  • Demonstrated experience managing complex Department of War hardware-intensive projects (e.g., radar, EW, or C5ISR systems).
  • Working knowledge of government acquisition practices and sustainment planning (e.g., INCO, ILS, depot stand-up, shipyard coordination).
  • U.S. Citizenship required.

Preferred Qualifications:
  • Active DoD Secret clearance.
  • Prior experience supporting NSWC Crane, PEO IWS, or NAVSEA programs.
  • Familiarity with Department of War radar systems.
  • Knowledge of digital engineering, MBSE, or advanced manufacturing as applied to radar systems.
  • PMP certification or equivalent.


#LI-ACI & #LI-Onsite

About Kratos Defense and Security Solutions

Kratos Defense & Security Solutions, Inc. provides mission critical products, solutions, and services in the United States. The company operates through three segments: Kratos Government Solutions, Unmanned Systems, and Public Safety & Security. The Kratos Government Solutions segment offers microwave electronic products, satellite communications, training systems, modular systems, and defense and rocket support services. The Unmanned Systems segment provides unmanned aerial, ground, and seaborne, as well as command, control, and communications systems. The Public Safety & Security segment designs, engineers, deploys, operates, integrates, maintains, and operates security and surveillance solutions for homeland security, public safety, critical infrastructure, government, and commercial customers. The company serves national security related agencies, the department of defense, intelligence agencies, and classified agencies, as well as international government agencies and domestic and international commercial customers; and critical infrastructure, power generation, power transport, nuclear energy, financial, IT, healthcare, education, transportation, and petro-chemical industries, as well as government and military customers. Kratos Defense & Security Solutions, Inc. was founded in 1994 and is headquartered in San Diego, California.
Learn more about Kratos Defense and Security Solutions
Size
3,300 employees
Market Cap
$1.1 billion
Industry
Aerospace & Defense
Net Income
$79.6 million
Founded
1994
5 Year Trend
+8.4%
Revenue
$747.6 million
NASDAQ
KTOS
* Ladders Estimates

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