Autonomous Drone TPM: Flight-Test & Systems Lead

TalentHound; Byron (CA); On-site; USD 140,000 - 210,000; Full time

Job summary

TalentHound seeks an experienced Technical Program Manager to lead the build, integration, and delivery of autonomous drone/aircraft programs. You will coordinate across engineering, manufacturing, and supply chain to keep complex hardware and software on schedule, within scope, and compliant with aerospace standards.

Ideal candidates blend technical fluency with strong organizational and communication skills in a fast‑growth startup environment and will work on-site in California with frequent

Qualifications

• 10+ years of technical program management experience delivering complex hardware, software, or integrated electro-mechanical systems in aerospace, defense, robotics, automotive, or autonomous systems.
• Demonstrated success leading multidisciplinary engineering programs through the full product lifecycle, from concept development through flight testing and production.
• Strong technical knowledge spanning hardware engineering, software development, systems engineering, and flight test operations.
• Proficiency with program management tools and methodologies, such as Jira, Confluence, MS Project, and Smartsheet.

Responsibilities

• Prototype Build and Integration: lead the build, initial power-up, and full-system integration including all powertrain components; coordinate hardware/software tuning and reduce risk for flight testing.
• Program Planning and Execution: develop and maintain an integrated master schedule spanning hardware, software, and systems engineering; drive milestones for flight tests and certification.
• Risk and Dependency Management: identify critical path risks, cross-team dependencies, and bottlenecks; facilitate trade studies and risk mitigation planning.
• Engineering and Manufacturing Coordination: align with Mechanical, Electrical, Flight Controls, Software, Manufacturing, and Supply Chain teams for a seamless prototype-to-flight-test-to-production flow.
• Stakeholder Communication: lead program reviews and executive reporting on schedule, issues, and risk metrics to leadership and partners.
• Process Development: establish scalable PM practices with requirements tracking, change controls, and dashboards while preserving startup agility.
• Regulatory and Quality Compliance: align milestones with FAA and military certification pathways and ensure compliance with AS9100, DO-178C, DO-254, ITAR/EAR.

Skills

Cross-functional leadership

Stakeholder communication

Regulatory compliance

Risk management

Analytical/problem solving

Education

Bachelor's or Master's in Engineering (Aerospace, Mechanical, Electrical, Systems) or Computer Science

Tools

Jira

Confluence

MS Project

Smartsheet

Job description

TalentHound seeks an experienced Technical Program Manager to lead the build, integration, and delivery of autonomous drone/aircraft programs. You will coordinate across engineering, manufacturing, and supply chain to keep complex hardware and software on schedule, within scope, and compliant with aerospace standards.

Ideal candidates blend technical fluency with strong organizational and communication skills in a fast‑growth startup environment and will work on-site in California with frequent