Senior Program Manager

Trident Systems, Inc.

$133K — $247K *
Aerospace & Defense
11 - 15 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience; 12+ years in relevant fields; Master's degree with 10+ years of experience.
  • Experience in managing space/aerospace programs, especially in electronics or hardware development.
  • Proven success in managing government programs with FAR-based contracts and multiple CLINs.
  • Strong expertise in financial management and program execution planning.
  • Experience leading product development from design to prototype to production.
  • Knowledge of government contract types is essential.
  • PMP certification required (or ability to obtain within 6 months).
  • Proficient in MS Project, Excel, PowerPoint, and Word.

Responsibilities

  • Lead execution of complex space flight programs.
  • Drive program performance focusing on cost, schedule, and risk management.
  • Develop and maintain an Integrated Master Schedule (IMS).
  • Establish and manage resource plans including skill sets and staffing needs.
  • Identify and manage engineering resource requirements for program execution.
  • Collaborate across departments to ensure aligned program execution.
  • Drive accountability from subcontractors to meet program goals.
  • Maintain an accurate risk and opportunity matrix.
  • Serve as the primary interface for customer communication and satisfaction.
  • Oversee program financial forecasts and reporting.
  • Support proposal efforts and contribute to growth opportunities.
  • Mentor and develop program management staff within the PMO.

Benefits

  • Comprehensive health benefits including medical, dental, vision, and basic life insurance.
  • Short and long-term disability coverage.
  • Ancillary benefits like voluntary life, accident, critical illness, and hospital insurance.
  • Flexible spending accounts (HSA, FSA, DCFSA).
  • Generous paid time off and holiday schedule.
  • 401(k) plan with company matching contributions.
  • Tuition reimbursement for continued education.
  • Leave options for parental, maternity, and military duties.
  • Eligibility for an annual discretionary bonus.
Full Job Description
Position Title: Senior Program Manager
Requisition ID: 1812
Position Location: Sterling, VA
Position Reports To: Product Line Director
Supervises Others: No

Position Summary

We're looking for a Senior 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 12+ years (or Master's and 10+) 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 12 prototype 12 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: $133,000 - $247,000

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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