Technical Program Manager

Salient Motion

$175K — $200K *
Aerospace & Defense
5 - 7 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Business, or related field; PMP or similar experience preferred.
  • 6-8+ years in program management within aerospace, defense, or high-tech hardware sectors, especially with defense contracts.
  • Experience with actuation systems or electromechanical components is a strong advantage.
  • Knowledge of defense compliance frameworks like ITAR, EAR, DFARS, CMMC.
  • Proven ability to manage project metrics such as cost, schedule, and technical performance effectively.

Responsibilities

  • Drive actuation programs from early design through to production and sustainment, overseeing all program execution aspects.
  • Build and maintain master schedules and budgets, actively resolving issues as they arise.
  • Act as the central communication hub for cross-functional teams to ensure alignment and progress.
  • Serve as the primary contact for customers, clearly translating requirements and maintaining transparency.
  • Ensure programs adhere to ITAR/EAR, and DFARS regulations while supporting classified project development.
  • Collaborate with engineering and quality teams to meet airworthiness and qualification requirements.
  • Identify and address bottlenecks quickly, balancing speed, cost, and quality efficiently.

Benefits

  • Exceptional healthcare benefits with 100% medical coverage.
  • Life Insurance coverage at 2x salary, fully funded by the company.
  • Flexible PTO policy to support work-life balance.
  • 401K plans with company contributions available.
  • Access to financial wellness resources and more.
Full Job Description
**Applicants must be U.S. Citizens or U.S. Permanent Residents (Green Card holders) to meet customer and regulatory requirements**

About the Role:

We are hiring a Senior Technical Program Manager to lead our commercial & defense actuation programs. This is a role for someone who makes things happen: turning customer requirements and engineering innovation into qualified, delivered hardware for demanding actuation applications. You will own program execution end to end, coordinate a small but highly skilled cross-functional team, manage technical and contractual priorities, and keep commercial, prime and government customers aligned and confident in our progress. In our environment you will not just track schedules; you will help build them, shape decisions, and step in wherever needed to deliver. This role reports directly to the Chief Strategy Officer and carries meaningful executive visibility.

What You'll Do:
• Own the program. Drive actuation programs from requirements and early design through qualification, production, and sustainment, holding accountability for scope, schedule, cost, and technical performance.
• Lead hands-on. Build and maintain integrated master schedules, budgets, and risk and opportunity registers, then roll up your sleeves to resolve issues in real time.
• Be the hub. Connect engineering, supply chain, operations, and quality so the team stays aligned and moving through each phase gate.
• Interface with customers. Serve as the primary customer-facing lead for defense primes and government stakeholders, translating requirements into clear deliverables and maintaining transparency on progress, risks, and recovery plans.
• Manage controlled work. Execute programs in accordance with ITAR/EAR, and DFARS requirements, and support mitigation activities as the company scales its classified program capability.
• Drive qualification readiness. Partner with engineering and quality to navigate qualification and airworthiness requirements and deliver compliant, verifiable hardware.
• Operate with startup agility. Identify bottlenecks early and drive solutions that balance speed, cost, and quality without heavy process overhead.
• Report to leadership. Communicate program health to executives with clarity and action- oriented recommendations.

What You Need:
• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Business, or a related field. PMP or equivalent experience is a plus.
• 6-8+ years of program management experience in aerospace and defense or high-tech hardware, including direct experience on defense or government programs. Experience with actuation systems or electromechanical components is strongly preferred.
• Working knowledge of defense contracting and compliance frameworks, including ITAR/EAR, DFARS, and CMMC.
• Demonstrated success managing cost, schedule, and technical performance on hardware development programs, including EVM or equivalent program controls.
• Comfort operating in a lean environment where processes are still being built.
• Strong systems thinking and the ability to connect technical detail to business and contractual objectives.
• Proven ability to lead cross-functional teams without heavy hierarchy.
• Excellent communicator who earns trust with engineers, executives, and customers alike.
• Willingness to wear multiple hats and adjust priorities quickly.

What we have to offer:

We are not just building components. We are reshaping the future of the Aerospace and Defense component industry, which is a $300B+ market! Come join us and help build next generation systems that will make a massive impact at global scale.
  • We offer competitive compensation: $175,000 to $200,000 base salary + equity
  • Exceptional healthcare benefits - Medical is 100% covered by the company
  • Life Insurance (2x Salary) 100% covered by the company
  • Flexible PTO, 401K, Financial Wellness Resources, and more

Clearance and Eligibility
This position requires access to information and technology controlled under U.S. export control laws. Applicants must qualify as a U.S. Person under ITAR (22 CFR 120.62) and EAR, meaning a U.S. citizen, U.S. national, lawful permanent resident, or protected individual. Candidates must be eligible to obtain and maintain a U.S. government security clearance; an active clearance is preferred.

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