Director of Program Management

Canopy Aerospace & Defense; California (MO); On-site; USD 150,000 - 210,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Retirement plan participation

Paid sick leave

Paid vacation and holidays

Job summary

Canopy Aerospace & Defense is seeking a Director of Program Management to scale a portfolio of aerospace and defense programs across US and international entities. This role will standardize systems, processes, and performance metrics to drive on-time delivery, strong customer relationships, and improved program profitability.

Lead a team of program managers, drive budget management, risk controls, and reporting practices across manufacturing, supply chain, and engineering.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of experience in program or project management within a manufacturing or engineering environment.
• Experience leading program management teams within complex, cross-functional organizations.
• Experience operating within fast-paced and highly regulated industries such as aerospace, defense, or advanced manufacturing.
• Experience managing complex technical programs with multiple stakeholders.
• Experience managing program financial performance, including cost tracking, margin management, and earned value analysis.
• Proven ability to lead teams within a matrixed organization.
• Experienced building and scaling Program Management teams.
• Strong ability to implement systems, processes, and operational discipline across multiple teams.
• Ability to coordinate complex programs that span multiple business units and geographies.
• Demonstrated ability to scale operational functions in high-growth organizations.
• Strong understanding of manufacturing environments and production operations.
• Experience with ERP systems and their role in program management and reporting.
• Familiarity with quality and compliance requirements such as AS9100 and ITAR.
• Strong analytical capability with experience using data to drive operational improvement.

Responsibilities

• Provide functional leadership to 10 Program Managers across all US and international entities.
• Establish standardized program management systems, processes, and tools to enable disciplined execution and scale.
• Develop and implement best practices for budget management, cost control, risk management, and customer communication.
• Build a scalable program management framework that supports the company’s growth and prepares the platform for future acquisitions.
• Track program management performance across all operating companies.
• Facilitate collaboration between Program Management, Production, Manufacturing, Supply Chain, Engineering.
• Ensure programs are executed on time and within budget.
• Drive improvements in customer on-time delivery (OTD), schedule adherence, and operational predictability.
• Support Program Managers in managing program risks, resolving escalations, and maintaining customer commitments.
• Ensure ERP systems are effectively used as the operational system of record for program execution and reporting.
• Oversee program-level financial performance across the platform.
• Identify opportunities to improve margin through operational efficiencies, pricing discipline, and cost control.
• Partner with Finance and Operations to improve visibility into program profitability.
• Implement standardized program management processes that improve transparency, predictability, and scalability.
• Establish and manage Program Management KPIs across the platform.
• Continuously improve program execution processes to increase efficiency and support platform growth.
• Establish best in class account management principles.
• Ensure consistent communication and reporting standards across customer programs.
• Assist with resolving complex customer issues or escalations

Skills

Program management

Leadership

Cross-functional collaboration

Aerospace/defense industry experience

Earned Value Management

AS9100/ITAR familiarity

Operations optimization

Tools

ERP systems

Job description

About Canopy Aerospace & Defense

Canopy A&D is built to accelerate the future of advanced materials for space, defense, and maritime systems. Canopy delivers specialized materials and components that carry customers from concept through sustainment. Canopy A&D’s advanced signal attenuation technologies and production-scale manufacturing accelerate the fielding of platforms that are faster, cooler, and quieter. Our adaptive approach ensures solutions evolve at the pace of shifting challenges, keeping our customers ahead of the curve.

Canopy A&D is built to accelerate the future of advanced materials for space, defense, and maritime systems. Canopy delivers specialized materials and components that carry customers from concept through sustainment. Canopy A&D’s advanced signal attenuation technologies and production-scale manufacturing accelerate the fielding of platforms that are faster, cooler, and quieter. Our adaptive approach ensures solutions evolve at the pace of shifting challenges, keeping our customers ahead of the curve.

Job Summary

The Director of Program Management will lead and scale program management across Canopy Aerospace & Defense’s portfolio of operating companies, ensuring disciplined execution of complex aerospace and defense programs. This role establishes standardized systems, processes, and performance metrics to drive on-time delivery, strong customer relationships, and improved program profitability across the platform.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide functional leadership to :10 Program Managers across all US and international entities


• Establish standardized program management systems, processes, and tools to enable disciplined execution and scale


• Develop and implement best practices for budget management, cost control, risk management, and customer communication


• Build a scalable program management framework that supports the company’s growth and prepares the platform for future acquisitions


• Track program management performance across all operating companies


• Facilitate collaboration between Program Management, Production, Manufacturing, Supply Chain, Engineering


• Ensure programs are executed on time and within budget


• Drive improvements in customer on-time delivery (OTD), schedule adherence, and operational predictability


• Support Program Managers in managing program risks, resolving escalations, and maintaining customer commitments


• Ensure ERP systems are effectively used as the operational system of record for program execution and reporting


• Oversee program-level financial performance across the platform


• Identify opportunities to improve margin through operational efficiencies, pricing discipline, and cost control


• Partner with Finance and Operations to improve visibility into program profitability


• Implement standardized program management processes that improve transparency, predictability, and scalability


• Establish and manage Program Management KPIs across the platform


• Continuously improve program execution processes to increase efficiency and support platform growth


• Establish best in class account management principles


• Ensure consistent communication and reporting standards across customer programs


• Assist with resolving complex customer issues or escalations

Required Qualifications

• 10+ years of experience in program or project management within a manufacturing or engineering environment


• Experience leading program management teams within complex, cross-functional organizations


• Experience operating within fast-paced and highly regulated industries such as aerospace, defense, or advanced manufacturing


• Experience managing complex technical programs with multiple stakeholders


• Experience managing program financial performance, including cost tracking, margin management, and earned value analysis


• Proven ability to lead teams within a matrixed organization


• Experienced building and scaling Program Management teams


• Strong ability to implement systems, processes, and operational discipline across multiple teams


• Ability to coordinate complex programs that span multiple business units and geographies


• Demonstrated ability to scale operational functions in high‑growth organizations


• Strong understanding of manufacturing environments and production operations


• Experience with ERP systems and their role in program management and reporting


• Familiarity with quality and compliance requirements such as AS9100 and ITAR


• Strong analytical capability with experience using data to drive operational improvement

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in aerospace and defense manufacturing environments, with familiarity in AS9100 and ITAR‑regulated programs


• Experience working within private equity‑backed or high‑growth manufacturing organizations


• Demonstrated success building or scaling a Program Management Office (PMO) across multiple business units or operating companies


• Experience managing multi‑site or global programs with complex supply chains


• Strong background in program financial management, including earned value management (EVM), margin improvement, and cost control

Job Details

Type: Full Time, Exempt (Salaried)

Business Hours: Core Hours

Base Location: Riverside, CA/Ontario, CA OR Littleton, CO

Travel: Ip to 25% as needed to various company facilities

Your actual level and base salary will be determined on a case-by-case basis and may vary based on the following considerations: job-related knowledge and skills, education, and experience.

Total compensation will also include a comprehensive set of benefits including but not limited to: Company paid employee medical, dental and vision insurance. Retirement plan participation (eligibility required), paid sick leave, paid vacation, paid holidays and discretionary bonuses.

Export Control Requirements

To conform to US Government export regulations, the applicant must be a (i) US Citizen, (ii) lawful permanent resident of the U.S. (aka green card holder), (iii) protected individual as defined by U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or (iv) eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State.

Canopy A&D is an Equal Opportunity Employer, employment with Canopy A&D is governed on the basis of merit, competence and qualifications and will not be influenced in any manner by race, color, religion, gender, national origin/ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, mental or physical disability or any other legally protected status.

We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.

About the company

Canopy Aerospace & Defense