Karman Space & Defense is a leader in the rapid design, development, and production of critical, next-generation system solutions that align with the U.S. Department of War and its allies' core mission priorities, and meet the accelerating demand for access to space. Building on nearly 50 years of success, we deliver Payload & Protection Systems, Aero/Hydrodynamic Interstage Systems, and Propulsion & Launch Systems to more than 80 prime contractors supporting over 130 space and defense programs.
In this role, you lead day‑to‑day execution of acquisition and site‑integration programs, translating approved integration objectives into executable plans and driving coordinated delivery across functional workstreams. You support diligence, readiness, stabilization, and operational handovers, ensuring predictable performance, effective issue resolution, and alignment with established integration and program‑management standards.
Responsibilities
- Develops integrated plans defining objectives, workstreams, owners, milestones, dependencies, resource needs, readiness criteria, and operational handover.
- Coordinates delivery across Finance, Human Resources (HR), Legal, Operations, Engineering, Supply Chain, Quality, Business Systems, Information Technology (IT), Cybersecurity, site leadership, vendors, and advisors.
- Leads workstream and milestone reviews, clarifies commitments, and drives functional owners to complete required actions and deliverables.
- Manages program risks, issues, and dependencies and resolves routine sequencing and coordination challenges while supporting recovery planning.
- Supports acquisition diligence and pre‑close readiness by coordinating assigned assessments and converting findings into integration actions.
- Leads readiness planning and reviews for Day 1, Day 30/60/90/100, stabilization, and cutover milestones and secures required sign‑offs.
- Coordinates business process, enterprise resource planning (ERP), infrastructure, identity, cybersecurity, data, vendor, communications, and training dependencies.
- Monitors integration costs, commitments, forecasts, and benefit measures with Finance and functional owners and recommends corrective actions.
- Prepares program updates highlighting milestone performance, business impact, risks, options, required decisions, and upcoming actions.
- Maintains scope and decision records, assesses impacts of proposed changes, and routes significant trade‑offs or unresolved conflicts through authorized approvers.
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in business, information technology, engineering, operations, finance, or a related field; an equivalent combination of education and relevant experience may be considered.
- Four or more years of experience in project or program management, integration, enterprise transformation, business systems, operations, or a related discipline.
- Demonstrated experience leading a cross‑functional project or program through completion, coordinating multiple functions, sites, or vendors and owning delivery results.
- Experience developing integrated plans and managing milestones, dependencies, risks, issues, readiness activities, changes, and management reporting.
- Ability to lead through influence, resolve routine delivery issues, hold owners accountable, and escalate material risks with clear business impact and recommended options.
- Knowledge of program budgets, cost forecasts, resource planning, and benefit tracking and the ability to partner effectively with Finance and functional owners.
- Strong analytical, communication, facilitation, and organizational skills; proficiency in Excel, PowerPoint, Teams, SharePoint, and project‑management tools.
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience with mergers and acquisitions (M\&A) integration, site integration, ERP deployment, entity restructuring, or comparable business transformation.
- Experience in aerospace, defense, manufacturing, engineering, or another regulated, multi‑site environment.
- Exposure to integration readiness, process alignment, systems or data transitions, organizational change, or post‑implementation stabilization.
- Familiarity with Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC), National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) 800‑171, Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS), Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI), Sarbanes‑Oxley (SOX) IT General Controls (ITGC), export controls, or other compliance requirements.
- PMP, CAPM, Lean Six Sigma, Prosci, or related training or certification; experience with Smartsheet, Microsoft Project, Jira, or comparable platforms.
Special Mentions
- Periodic travel may be required for integration planning, site coordination, and readiness activities.
Benefits
- Medical, dental, and vision insurance
- 401(k) with company match
- Paid time off
- Health Savings Account (HSA) with company contribution
- Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA)
- Company‑paid life and AD\&D insurance
- Short‑ and long‑term disability coverage
- Tuition reimbursement
Karman Space and Defense is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable law.