Defense Program Manager

Actalent; Mukilteo (WA); On-site; USD 140,000 - 170,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Tuition reimbursement

401(k) with immediate vesting match

Medical, dental, vision coverage

Profit sharing program

Life and AD&D insurance

Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

Job summary

Actalent is seeking a Program Manager – Defense Systems in Mukilteo, WA for on‑site leadership of defense programs spanning hypersonics to integrated defense hardware. You will guide programs through planning, development, qualification, production, and contract completion, ensuring cost, schedule, technical, and customer objectives are met.

The role emphasizes program execution, customer interface, schedule management, and financial performance with cross‑functional collaboration and leadership

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, business, program management, or related field or equivalent experience.
• 5+ years in aerospace/defense/complex technical programs.
• Proven program management with cost, schedule, and planning experience.
• Experience managing budgets and financial performance including variance analysis.
• Experience coordinating production support in aerospace/defense environments.
• Strong cross‑functional coordination across engineering, operations, supply chain, and manufacturing.
• Experience with stakeholder management in multi‑stakeholder settings.
• Familiarity with contract management and government programs (SOWs, program changes).
• Proficiency with project management tools and Excel for planning, tracking, reporting.
• Strong written and verbal communication, and leadership without direct authority.
• Experience with ERP/PLM systems in production/program contexts.

Responsibilities

• Lead defense programs through planning, development, production, and contract completion.
• Own program performance against cost, schedule, technical, and customer objectives.
• Develop and maintain integrated program plans, budgets, milestones, and metrics.
• Coordinate cross‑functional execution across engineering, operations, manufacturing, quality, and supply chain.
• Serve as primary interface with customers, government stakeholders, suppliers, and leadership.
• Identify risks and drive mitigation and recovery plans.
• Lead program reviews and communicate financials, risks, and decisions.
• Support design, qualification, and production readiness activities.
• Manage SOWs, program changes, and customer requests throughout lifecycle.
• Assist proposals and cost/schedule estimates; contribute to follow‑on capture.
• Lead teams and engage customers to ensure satisfaction.

Skills

Program management

Cost management

Schedule management

Cross‑functional coordination

Customer interface

Stakeholder management

Leadership without authority

Strong communication

Excel planning & reporting

ERP/PLM familiarity

Education

Bachelor’s degree in engineering/business/PM

Master’s degree or MBA

Tools

ERP systems

PLM systems

Job description

Job Title: Program Manager – Defense Systems

Location: Onsite - Mukilteo, WA

Placement Type: Direct Placement

PM position focuses:

-Program execution

-Customer interface

-Schedule management

-Financial performance

-Operational coordination

Job Description

This Program Manager role supports a dynamic defense systems portfolio, including hypersonics, strategic missile defense, tactical missiles, and integrated defense systems. You will lead complex programs that integrate launch and deployment systems, propulsion, payload protection, and mission‑critical defense hardware across air, land, and sea. In this position, you guide programs from planning and development through qualification, production, delivery, and contract completion, ensuring they meet cost, schedule, technical, quality, and customer objectives. You serve as the organizational leader for program execution, partnering closely with engineering and cross‑functional teams to deliver tailored, mission‑ready solutions for demanding defense applications.

Responsibilities

• Lead assigned defense programs through planning, development, qualification, production, delivery, and contract completion.

• Own overall program performance against cost, schedule, technical, quality, contractual, and customer objectives.

• Develop and maintain integrated program plans, including schedules, budgets, milestones, resource requirements, and performance metrics.

• Coordinate cross‑functional execution across engineering, operations, manufacturing, quality, supply chain, contracts, finance, and test organizations.

• Serve as the primary program interface for customers, prime contractors, government stakeholders, suppliers, and internal leadership.

• Identify technical, programmatic, supply‑chain, cost, and schedule risks and drive effective mitigation and recovery plans.

• Lead recurring program reviews and clearly communicate financial performance, risks, key decisions, dependencies, and corrective actions.

• Support design reviews, test‑readiness reviews, qualification activities, production‑readiness reviews, and customer acceptance events.

• Manage contractual deliverables, statements of work, program changes, customer requests, and scope changes throughout the program lifecycle.

• Support proposals, cost and schedule estimates, contract negotiations, and follow‑on program opportunities to drive program growth.

• Focus on program execution, customer interface, schedule management, financial performance, and operational coordination rather than deep technical engineering design.

• Leverage engineering resources for technical decision‑making while providing clear leadership, direction, and accountability for program outcomes.

• Provide regular program reporting, including status updates, progress against milestones, and variance explanations using project management tools.

• Lead and motivate cross‑functional program teams, fostering collaboration, accountability, and a strong focus on mission success.

• Engage regularly with customers to manage expectations, address issues proactively, and ensure high levels of customer satisfaction.

Essential Skills

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, business, program management, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and directly relevant experience.

• At least 5 years of experience supporting or managing aerospace, defense, advanced manufacturing, or similarly complex technical programs.

• Demonstrated experience in program management, including cost management, schedule management, and program planning.

• Proven ability to manage program budgets and financial performance, including cost control and variance analysis.

• Experience coordinating production support and operations in aerospace manufacturing, defense industry, or related environments.

• Strong background in resource planning and cross‑functional coordination across engineering, operations, supply chain, and manufacturing.

• Experience with stakeholder management and program leadership in complex, multi‑stakeholder environments.

• Familiarity with contract management and government programs, including managing statements of work and program changes.

• Proficiency with project management tools and Microsoft Excel for planning, tracking, and reporting.

• Strong communication skills, including written, verbal, and presentation capabilities for internal and external audiences.

• Demonstrated leadership capabilities, including the ability to lead program teams and influence outcomes without direct authority.

• Experience working with or within enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems in a production or program environment.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Master’s degree in a related technical field or a Master of Business Administration (MBA).

• 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 early development through qualification and full‑rate 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, cost and schedule estimates, negotiations, contract modifications, and follow‑on program capture.

• Project Management Professional (PMP) certification or equivalent formal program‑management training.

• Experience with program scheduling tools and methodologies, including development and maintenance of integrated master schedules.

• Experience with enterprise resource planning (ERP) or product‑lifecycle management (PLM) systems for managing complex hardware programs.

• Experience leading engineering teams to develop mechanical and pyrotechnic components and systems.

• Strong customer management skills, including the ability to build relationships, manage expectations, and resolve issues.

• Proven ability to deliver clear, concise program reporting to internal leadership and external stakeholders.

Work Environment

This role is primarily onsite in Mukilteo, WA, within a growing defense organization that develops and manufactures mission‑critical hardware for missile defense, propulsion, launch systems, payload systems, UAV components, safe and arm systems, and integrated defense solutions. The schedule follows a 9/80 structure, providing every other Friday off, and the organization offers benefits such as tuition reimbursement and an immediately vesting 401(k).

Job Type & Location

This is a Permanent position based out of Mukilteo, WA.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $140000.00 - $170000.00/yr.

Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors.

-Medical ((PPO, HMO, HDHP) , dental (HMO and PPO options), and vision coverage -Health Savings Account (HSA) -401(k) with immediate vesting of employer match (100% vested immediately) -Profit sharing program -Life and AD&D insurance -Short- and long-term disability coverage -Employee Assistance Program (24/7 confidential counseling and support resources) -Tuition reimbursement and educational assistance *Requesting formal benefits package but they can also review the details on their website (scroll to bottom of page): https://karman-sd.com/careers/

Workplace Type

This is a fully onsite position in Mukilteo,WA.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Sep 11, 2026.

About Actalent

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email [e-mail] for other accommodation options.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI): We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.