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.
This role is part of our Space and Launch business, which has contributed to the nation's space programs for decades by delivering complete solutions from concept to flight. We enable successful space operations with mission-critical technology supporting every step from first launch to final landing, including launch vehicle subsystems, propulsion systems, aerodynamic and interstage systems, and payload protection and deployment. Our high-performance solutions are engineered to operate in the most extreme environments and meet precise mission requirements.
The Program Manager leads complex aerospace and defense programs across development, qualification, production, and delivery. The role drives cost, schedule, technical, quality, contractual, and customer objectives while coordinating cross-functional execution. This position ensures program plans are integrated, risks are managed, customer communication is clear, and program performance supports delivery of mission-critical launch, propulsion, and payload-system hardware.
Responsibilities
- Leads assigned programs through planning, development, qualification, production, delivery, and contract completion.
- Owns performance against cost, schedule, technical, quality, contractual, and customer objectives.
- Develops and maintains integrated plans, schedules, budgets, milestones, resource requirements, and performance metrics.
- Coordinates execution across engineering, operations, quality, supply chain, contracts, finance, and test organizations.
- Serves as primary interface for customers, prime contractors, government stakeholders, suppliers, and internal leadership.
- Identifies technical, programmatic, cost, schedule, and supply-chain risks and drives mitigation and recovery actions.
- Leads recurring program reviews and communicates performance, risks, decisions, dependencies, and corrective actions.
- Supports design reviews, qualification planning, test-readiness activities, production-readiness reviews, and customer acceptance events.
- Manages contractual deliverables, statements of work, program changes, customer requests, and scope adjustments.
- Supports proposals, estimates, negotiations, and follow-on program opportunities.
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor of Science in Engineering, Business Program Management, or related field, or an equivalent combination of education and directly relevant experience.
- 5 or more years of experience supporting or managing aerospace, defense, advanced manufacturing, or similarly complex technical programs.
- A current U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) Secret security clearance or the ability to obtain and maintain one.
Preferred Qualifications
- Master of Science or Master of Business Administration degree.
- Experience managing Department of Defense, U.S. government, allied-defense, or prime-contractor programs.
- Experience with missile systems, propulsion, launch systems, payload integration, separation systems, energetic devices, or related flight hardware.
- Experience managing programs from development through qualification and production.
- Knowledge of government contracting and fixed-price, cost-reimbursable, or incentive-based contract structures.
- Experience with Earned Value Management (EVM), cost-account management, or similar financial-performance methods.
- Experience supporting proposals, estimates, negotiations, contract modifications, or follow-on program capture.
- Project Management Professional (PMP) certification or equivalent formal program-management training.
- Experience with program scheduling, enterprise resource planning (ERP), or product-lifecycle management systems.
- Experience leading engineering teams developing mechanical and pyrotechnic components and systems.
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.
This role follows a 9/80 schedule, with 9-hour shifts Monday through Thursday, an 8-hour shift every other Friday, and the alternating Friday off.