Engineering Program Manager II

Axon; Sterling (VA); Hybrid; USD 116,000 - 185,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

401k with employer match

Paid time off

Parental leave

Fitness programs

Wellness support

Job summary

Axon, based in Sterling, VA, is seeking an Engineering Program Manager to lead delivery of next-gen cUAS solutions in collaboration with external development partners. You will translate requirements, align internal teams, and drive master schedules across EVT, DVT, and PVT stages.

The role emphasizes vendor management, production readiness, and cross-functional execution, with a focus on regulatory compliance and cost management. A strong PM background and technical fluency are essential.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Systems Engineering, or a related technical field.
• Proven experience managing hardware or technical solutions programs delivered through external development partners.
• Familiarity with hardware build phases and design-for-production tradeoffs.

Responsibilities

• Translate product requirements into technical scopes and align internal engineering teams with partners.
• Own the master schedule for solutions programs with outside development partners across EVT/DVT/PVT.
• Serve as primary program interface to external partners, managing scope and deliverables.
• Identify risks from partner capability gaps and long-lead components and mitigate them.
• Manage program budget including NRE, tooling, and build costs.
• Collaborate with domestic and international stakeholders to ensure manufacturing readiness and on-time ramp.
• Translate technical status and vendor tradeoffs into clear communications for leadership.

Skills

Technical fluency

Program management

Vendor management

Communication skills

Cross-functional coordination

Regulatory awareness

Education

Bachelor's/Master's in Mechanical/Electrical/Systems Engineering

MBA or Engineering Management MS (plus)

Job description

At Axon, we’re on a mission to Protect Life. We’re explorers, pursuing society’s most critical safety and justice issues with our ecosystem of devices and cloud software. Like our products, we work better together. We connect with candor and care, seeking out diverse perspectives from our customers, communities and each other.

Life at Axon is fast-paced, challenging and meaningful. Here, you’ll take ownership and drive real change. Constantly grow as you work hard for a mission that matters at a company where you matter.

Your Impact:

Dedrone stands out as the global leader in airspace defense technology and counter-UAS solutions. Engineering at Dedrone is tasked with delivering innovative solutions and products to maintain our position on the cutting edge of innovation.

Engineering Program Managers, Solutions at Dedrone own the delivery of next generation cUAS engineering solutions from requirements definition through deployment, driving programs that are highly visible to even the most senior executives. This role sits at the intersection of product, internal engineering, and external development partners: taking requirements from product management, aligning them with internal technical teams, and directing outside development partners (ODM/CM and technical solution providers) to design, develop, and deliver the resulting engineering solutions.

This role emphasizes vendor and program management, requirements translation, partner alignment, and cross-functional execution across the full solutions development lifecycle. The ideal candidate combines strong hardware program management fundamentals with hands‑on experience managing external development partners, ensuring that vendor‑delivered work meets technical requirements, schedule, and quality bars.

What You’ll Do:

• Translate product requirements from Product Management into clear technical scopes, then align internal Systems, Electrical, and Mechanical Engineering teams and external development partners around a shared execution plan.
• Own the master schedule for solutions programs delivered in partnership with outside development partners (ODM/CM and technical solution providers), driving milestones across all program phases (EVT, DVT, PVT).
• Serve as the primary program interface to external development partners — managing scope, technical reviews, and deliverable acceptance to ensure vendor output meets Dedrone's requirements.
• Identify, track, and proactively mitigate program risks from partner capability gaps and long‑lead component constraints to supplier qualification gaps before they become schedule or cost impacts.
• Own program budget management including NRE, tooling, and build costs, maintaining alignment between vendor commitments and business objectives.
• Collaborate regularly with both domestic and international stakeholders, including ODM/CM and other development partners, to ensure manufacturing readiness and on‑time production ramp.
• Translate complex technical status, vendor tradeoffs, and program risk into clear, actionable communication for executive and cross‑functional audiences.
• Work autonomously and collaboratively in an empowering and fast‑paced environment, driving clarity in ambiguous situations.
• Hone your program and vendor management expertise in a dynamic learning environment focused on personal and professional development.

What You Bring:

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Systems Engineering, or a related technical field; MBA or MS in Engineering Management a plus.
• Proven experience managing hardware or technical solutions programs delivered through external development partners, preferably in industries involving advanced electromechanical systems.
• Strong technical fluency across mechanical, electrical, and firmware disciplines sufficient to translate product requirements, evaluate vendor tradeoffs, and engage meaningfully with internal engineering teams.
• Demonstrated experience managing ODM/CM or outside development partner relationships, including scoping, technical reviews, deliverable acceptance, and coordinating manufacturing readiness activities such as yield, regulatory certification, and factory acceptance.
• Familiarity with hardware build phases (EVT/DVT/PVT), design freeze processes, and the tradeoffs inherent in transitioning from development to production.
• Proficiency with program management tools for scheduling, risk tracking, and cross‑functional coordination.
• Knowledge of regulatory and compliance requirements (e.g., FCC, CE, UL, MIL‑STD) and experience driving vendor‑delivered products through certification processes.
• Strong analytical and problem‑solving abilities to identify critical path risks — including those originating with external partners — and drive resolution across competing organizational priorities.
• Excellent communication skills to effectively align product managers, internal engineering teams, and external development partners, surface tradeoffs to leadership, and present program status with clarity and confidence.
• Ability to thrive in a fast‑paced, dynamic environment with high levels of ambiguity and evolving requirements.

Work Location

This role is based out of our Sterling, VA office and follows a hybrid schedule. We rely on in‑person collaboration and ask that team members work onsite Tuesdays through Fridays, with the flexibility to work remotely on Mondays, unless there is an approved workplace accommodation. We believe that connection fuels innovation, and our in‑office culture is designed to foster meaningful teamwork, mentorship, and shared success.

Benefits that Benefit You

• Competitive salary and 401k with employer match
• Discretionary paid time off
• Paid parental leave for all
• Fitness Programs
• Emotional & Mental Wellness support
• And yes, we have snacks in our offices

Benefits listed herein may vary depending on the nature of your employment and the location where you work

Axon is a total compensation company, meaning compensation is made up of base pay, bonus, and stock awards. The actual base pay is dependent upon many factors, such as: level, function, training, transferable skills, work experience, business needs, geographic market, and often a combination of all these factors. Our benefits offer an array of options to help support you physically, financially and emotionally through the big milestones and in your everyday life. To see more details on our benefits offerings please visit https://www.axon.com/careers .

Base Pay Range

$115,500 - $184,800 USD

Don’t meet every single requirement? That's ok. At Axon, we Aim Far. We think big with a long‑term view because we want to reinvent the world to be a safer, better place. We are also committed to building diverse teams that reflect the communities we serve.

Studies have shown that women and people of color are less likely to apply to jobs unless they check every box in the job description. If you’re excited about this role and our mission to Protect Life but your experience doesn’t align perfectly with every qualification listed here, we encourage you to apply anyways. You may be just the right candidate for this or other roles.

We are an equal opportunity employer that promotes justice, advances equity and fosters inclusion. We’re committed to hiring the best talent — regardless of race, creed, color, ancestry, religion, sex (including pregnancy), national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship status, marital status, disability, gender identity, genetic information, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable laws, regulations and ordinances — and empowering all of our employees so they can do their best work. If you have a disability or special need that requires assistance or accommodation during the application or the recruiting process, please email [e-mail]. Please note that this email address is for accommodation purposes only. Axon will not respond to inquiries for other purposes.

Some roles may also require legal eligibility to work in a firearms environment.

Axon’s mission is to Protect Life and is committed to the well‑being and safety of its employees as well as Axon’s impact on the environment. All Axon employees must be aware of and committed to the appropriate environmental, health, and safety regulations, policies, and procedures. Axon employees are empowered to report safety concerns as they arise and activities potentially impacting the environment.