Hypersonics Hardware Program Lead

Actalent; United States; On-site; Full time

Job description

Job Title: Program Manager
Job Description

The Program Manager leads end-to-end program execution across cost, schedule, and technical performance for complex, hardware-focused initiatives in a cutting-edge, defense-related environment. This role drives cross-functional collaboration, serves as the primary customer interface, and ensures programs meet contractual, quality, and regulatory requirements while creating opportunities for growth. The Program Manager will work on technically advanced, hypersonics-related projects in a fast-paced, highly technical, and competitive culture that values work-life balance and professional development.

Responsibilities

• Own full program execution across cost, schedule, and technical performance from initiation through completion.
• Lead and coordinate cross-functional teams, including engineering, operations, finance, and other stakeholders, to deliver high-impact hardware and product solutions.
• Develop, maintain, and manage comprehensive program plans, including detailed schedules, budgets, and resource forecasts.
• Monitor and control program financials, ensuring alignment with budget targets and proactively addressing variances.
• Serve as the primary interface to the customer, building trusted, long-term relationships and acting as the main point of contact for program status, issues, and decisions.
• Identify and cultivate opportunities for program growth and follow-on work in collaboration with internal teams and the customer.
• Ensure alignment with contract scope and requirements, managing changes through formal change control processes and documenting impacts to cost, schedule, and performance.
• Proactively identify program risks and opportunities, develop mitigation and contingency plans, and drive timely resolution of issues.
• Deliver clear, concise, and actionable program reporting and briefings to leadership and customers, including status, risks, and key performance indicators.
• Ensure compliance with established processes, quality standards, and applicable government and defense industry requirements.
• Oversee and manage subcontractors and external partners when applicable, ensuring they meet technical, schedule, and cost commitments.
• Apply earned value management (EVM) principles and practices to plan, measure, and report program performance where required.
• Incorporate Defense Work (DoW) requirements and documentation into program planning and execution when applicable.

Essential Skills

• 8+ years of experience in program management or project management, with responsibility for cost, schedule, and technical performance.
• Proven experience managing programs in the hardware or product space; not focused on software or IT programs.
• Demonstrated ability to lead cross-functional teams and coordinate engineering, operations, finance, and other functions.
• Strong proficiency in building and managing program plans, schedules, budgets, and resource forecasts.
• Experience serving as the primary customer interface, with a track record of building trusted relationships.
• Ability to manage contract scope and execute formal change control processes.
• Proven capability to identify, assess, and manage program risks and opportunities, including mitigation planning.
• Experience delivering clear, actionable program reports and briefings to leadership and customers.
• Familiarity with earned value management (EVM) practices and metrics.
• Understanding of defense industry environments and government-related program requirements.
• Eligibility to obtain a security clearance.
• Bachelor’s degree (BS) required.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Prior experience working directly with government customers.
• Experience in hypersonics or other highly technical, cutting-edge hardware domains.
• Active security clearance is preferred but not required.
• Experience with Defense Work (DoW) documentation and processes.
• Exposure to or experience with formal quality and compliance standards in defense or government programs.
• Strong communication and presentation skills, with the ability to convey complex information to technical and non-technical stakeholders.
• Ability to thrive in a competitive, high-performance culture while maintaining strong collaboration and teamwork.

Work Environment

This role is based onsite in Huntsville, Alabama, working within a highly technical, defense-oriented environment focused on advanced hypersonics and hardware programs. The organization offers a flexible work schedule with core hours from Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., supporting a strong work-life balance while maintaining high performance expectations. Team members collaborate closely with government customers, gaining direct exposure to cutting-edge technologies and complex defense programs. The culture is described as fun, technically driven, and competitive, with high technical standards and significant opportunities for learning and career growth in a fast-paced, hands-on setting.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Huntsville, AL.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $50.00 - $84.00/hr.

Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your jobclassification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may besubject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefitsavailable for this temporary role may include the following:
• Medical, dental & vision
• Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital
• 401(k) Retirement Plan – Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available
• Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents)
• Short and long-term disability
• Health Spending Account (HSA)
• Transportation benefits
• Employee Assistance Program
• Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)

Workplace Type

This is a fully onsite position in Huntsville,AL.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on May 29, 2026.

About Actalent

Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions.We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives throughaccess to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market.With a network of almost 30,000 consultants and more than 4,500 clients across the U.S.,Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications withoutregard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability,sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protectedby law.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification oradjustment 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 thecity and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicantswith arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector:It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as acondition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this lawshall 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 applicationsand qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, youacknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.