Program Manager

Trident Systems, Inc.

$110K — $205K *
Aerospace & Defense
8 - 10 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience with 9+ years experience (or Master's with 7+) in relevant fields.
  • Experience managing space or aerospace programs with a focus on electronic systems or hardware development.
  • Proven track record in managing government programs involving FAR-based contracts.
  • Strong skills in program financials and execution planning.
  • Experience leading product development from design to production phases.
  • Familiarity with government contract types.
  • PMP certification required or must obtain within 6 months.
  • Proficient in MS Project, Excel, PowerPoint, and Word.

Responsibilities

  • Lead multiple space flight programs to ensure successful execution.
  • Drive program performance focusing on cost management, schedule adherence, and risk mitigation.
  • Develop and maintain an Integrated Master Schedule (IMS) encompassing critical path and milestone forecasting.
  • Establish labor and non-labor resource plans, including skill set definitions and staffing requirements.
  • Identify and manage engineering resource needs for successful program execution.
  • Collaborate cross-functionally with various teams to ensure aligned execution of projects.
  • Monitor subcontractor performance to guarantee adherence to program commitments.
  • Maintain an up-to-date risk and opportunity matrix with burn-down plans and mitigation strategies.

Benefits

  • Comprehensive health benefits including medical, dental, and vision.
  • Basic life insurance with AD&D and both short and long-term disability coverage.
  • Ancillary benefits including optional life insurance, critical illness, and health spending accounts.
  • Generous paid time off and holiday leave.
  • 401(k) with company matching contributions.
  • Tuition reimbursement for further education.
  • Access to various leaves such as parental and military.
Full Job Description
Position Title: Program Manager
Requisition ID: 1818
Position Location: Fairfax, VA
Position Reports To: Product Line Director
Supervises Others: No

Position Summary

We're looking for a Program Manager to lead execution of complex space electronics programs from development through production. In this role, you'll own program performance across cost, schedule, and risk, while serving as the primary interface to customers. You'll work closely with a Lead Systems Engineer who drives technical execution, allowing you to focus on delivery, coordination, and strategic program leadership. This role is ideal for a hands-on Program Manager who thrives in complex hardware development environments and enjoys building structure in dynamic programs.

Duties and Responsibilities
  • Lead one or more space flight programs, ensuring successful execution
  • Drive program performance to meet commitments, including ownership of cost, schedule, and risk management
  • Develop and maintain an Integrated Master Schedule (IMS), including:
    • Critical path identification
    • Milestone forecasting
    • Resource-loaded planning
  • Establish and manage labor and non-labor resource plans, including:
    • Defining required skill sets
    • Forecasting staffing needs and timing
  • Identify engineering resource needs (skill sets, number of engineers, and timing) to support program execution
  • Partner cross-functionally with Product Management, Engineering, Operations, Supply Chain, Contracts, and Finance to ensure aligned execution
  • Drive subcontractor performance and accountability to meet program commitments
  • Set expectations and ensure alignment across Systems Engineering and Integration & Test (SEIT) and broader engineering teams
  • Maintain an accurate and current risk and opportunity matrix, including:
    • Risk burn-down plans
    • Mitigation strategies
    • Opportunity identification and tracking
  • Serve as the primary customer interface, ensuring strong communication and satisfaction
  • Oversee program financials, forecasting, and reporting
  • Support proposal efforts and contribute to program growth opportunities
  • Mentor and develop other Program Managers within the PMO

Required Qualifications
  • Bachelor's degree (or equivalent experience/combined education) and 9+ years (or Master's and 7+) of relevant experience
  • Experience managing space or aerospace-related programs, ideally involving electronic systems or hardware development
  • Proven success managing government programs (FAR-based contracts, multiple CLINs)
  • Strong background in program financials, planning, and execution
  • Experience leading product development programs (design → prototype → production)
  • Working knowledge of government contract types
  • PMP certification (or ability to obtain within 6 months)
  • Proficiency with MS Project, Excel, PowerPoint, and Word

Preferred Qualifications
  • Degree in Engineering or Business
  • Familiarity with Earned Value Management (EVM)

Pay Information

Full-Time Salary Range: $110,000 - $205,000

Please Note: Actual compensation offered will be determined based on several factors including, but not limited to, relevant experience, skills, education, certifications, internal equity, business considerations, and geographic location where applicable.

Benefits

Hired applicants may be eligible for benefits including but not limited to:
  • Health benefits
    • Medical
    • Dental
    • Vision
    • Basic life with AD&D
    • Short term disability
    • Long term disability
    • Ancillary (Voluntary life with AD&D, accident, critical illness, hospital, and pet)
    • Spending accounts (HSA, FSA, and DCFSA)
  • Paid time off
  • Holidays
  • 401(k) (including company match)
  • Tuition reimbursement
  • Leaves (Parental, maternity, and military)
  • Annual discretionary bonus (for eligible roles)


Trident Systems reserves the right to change or assign other duties to this position.

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