Defense Program Manager, Laser Systems

IPG Defense; Huntsville (AL); Hybrid; USD 120,000 - 170,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision insurance

401(k) plan with company match

Paid vacation and holidays

Job summary

IPG Defense in Huntsville, AL is seeking a Program Manager, Defense Applications to drive successful execution of defense programs from development through fielding. The role interfaces with government customers, prime contractors, and IPG’s engineering, manufacturing, and business teams.

The ideal candidate has 5+ years in defense program management, proven control of cost, schedule, and technical performance, and the ability to obtain a DoD Secret clearance.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Physics, Business, or a related field.
• 5+ years of program or project management experience in defense, aerospace, or other regulated high-tech industries.
• Demonstrated success managing cost, schedule, and technical performance on DoD programs.
• Knowledge of government contract types (FFP, CPFF, T&M) and DoD acquisition processes.
• Strong leadership, communication, and customer-relationship skills.
• Availability for domestic and international travel.
• Ability to obtain a DoD Secret security clearance.

Responsibilities

• Manage cost, schedule, and technical performance of assigned defense programs in accordance with contract requirements and company policies.
• Develop and maintain integrated master schedules, program budgets, and resource plans; track execution against baselines and phase-review objectives.
• Lead risk and opportunity management, including identification, mitigation planning, and burn-down tracking.
• Drive programs through the full lifecycle: development, prototype, integration and test, LRIP, and transition to full-rate production.
• Serve as a primary programmatic point of contact for DoD customers, prime contractors, and program offices.
• Lead program management reviews (PMRs), milestone reviews (SRR/PDR/CDR/TRR), and customer demonstrations.
• Support negotiation of contracts, contract changes, and change orders; manage performance to the Statement of Work and contract terms.
• Contribute to proposal development, basis-of-estimate preparation, and capture support for follow-on and new business.
• Lead integrated product teams (IPTs) across engineering, manufacturing, quality, supply chain, and finance.
• Coordinate supplier and subcontractor performance affecting program cost, schedule, and quality.
• Communicate program status, financials, and risks clearly to leadership.
• Ensure program compliance with ITAR/export control, security, and applicable government regulations.

Skills

Program management

Leadership

Communication

Travel readiness

Security clearance

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Physics, Business, or related field

Tools

EVM

PMP certification

DAWIA training

Job description

IPG Defense in Huntsville, AL is seeking a Program Manager, Defense Applications to drive successful execution of defense programs from development through fielding. The role interfaces with government customers, prime contractors, and IPG’s engineering, manufacturing, and business teams.

The ideal candidate has 5+ years in defense program management, proven control of cost, schedule, and technical performance, and the ability to obtain a DoD Secret clearance.