IPT Lead

Karman Space & Defense; Seattle (WA); On-site; USD 170,000 - 200,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision insurance

401(k) with company match

Paid time off

HSA with company contribution

FSA

Company‑paid life and AD&D insurance

Short‑ and long‑term disability

Tuition reimbursement

Job summary

Karman Space and Defense is seeking a seasoned engineering leader to head a multi-disciplinary team delivering cost-effective, on-schedule and high- performance defense systems. You will allocate resources, mentor engineers, and manage relationships with prime contractors and government agencies while guiding proposals and strategic initiatives.

The role requires a Bachelor’s degree in engineering or related field, plus 7+ years in space/defense, with a proven ability to plan and execute complex

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, related science, or a related field.
• Typically 7 or more years of experience in the space or defense industry.
• Ability to develop, plan, and execute projects.
• Demonstrated experience leading teams.
• Experience in customer relations with space and defense industry prime contractors and government agencies.

Responsibilities

• Leads engineering teams to achieve cost, schedule, and technical performance objectives across assigned projects.
• Provides business, technical, and strategic leadership to support project execution.
• Assigns personnel to projects based on required skills and experience.
• Monitors project cost, schedule, and technical status and drives corrective actions when needed.
• Oversees personnel development through mentoring, training, and career growth activities.
• Balances team workloads and manages staffing decisions, including hiring and termination.
• Maintains and strengthens customer relationships to support current and future business.
• Ensures proposals are complete, accurate, and financially rigorous.
• Oversees team business development activities and contributes to company strategic initiatives.
• Collaborates effectively across teams and maintains accountability for team budgets.
• Performs other related duties as needed.

Skills

Project leadership

Project planning

Team leadership

Customer relations

Budget/cost control

Education

Bachelor’s degree in engineering or related field

Job description

Karman Space & Defense is a leader in the rapid design, development, and production of critical, next-generation system solutions that align with the U.S. Department of War and its allies’ core mission priorities, and meet the accelerating demand for access to space. Building on nearly 50 years of success, we deliver Payload & Protection Systems, Aero/Hydrodynamic Interstage Systems, and Propulsion & Launch Systems to more than 80 prime contractors supporting over 130 space and defense programs.

This role supports our Defense Systems business, bringing together Hypersonics, Strategic Missile Defense, Tactical Missiles, and Integrated Defense Systems. Modern defense missions demand more than piecemeal parts or patchwork products; they require hardware that seamlessly integrates disparate technologies into a unified system. Backed by decades of flight-proven performance, our teams deliver tailored mission-ready solutions across air, land, and sea, including: launch and deployment systems, propulsion, payload protection, integration and deployment.

In this role, you will lead an engineering team responsible for delivering projects on cost, schedule, and technical performance. You will allocate resources, guide personnel development, foster customer relationships, and oversee proposal activities to sustain team workload. Your leadership ensures a healthy team environment and supports the delivery of mission‑critical engineering solutions.

Schedule

• This role follows a 9/80 schedule, with 9-hour shifts Monday through Thursday, an 8-hour shift every other Friday, and the alternating Friday off.

Responsibilities

• Leads engineering teams to achieve cost, schedule, and technical performance objectives across assigned projects.
• Provides business, technical, and strategic leadership to support project execution.
• Assigns personnel to projects based on required skills and experience.
• Monitors project cost, schedule, and technical status and drives corrective actions when needed.
• Oversees personnel development through mentoring, training, and career growth activities.
• Balances team workloads and manages staffing decisions, including hiring and termination.
• Maintains and strengthens customer relationships to support current and future business.
• Ensures proposals are complete, accurate, and financially rigorous.
• Oversees team business development activities and contributes to company strategic initiatives.
• Collaborates effectively across teams and maintains accountability for team budgets.
• Performs other related duties as needed.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, related science, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and directly relevant experience.
• Typically 7 or more years of experience in the space or defense industry.
• Ability to develop, plan, and execute projects.
• Demonstrated experience leading teams.
• Experience in customer relations with space and defense industry prime contractors and government agencies.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree in engineering, related science, or a related field.
• Experience leading engineering teams to develop mechanical and pyrotechnic components and systems.

This position requires U.S. person status under U.S. export control laws, including U.S. citizens and nationals, lawful permanent residents, refugees, and asylees.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• 401(k) with company match
• Paid time off
• Health Savings Account (HSA) with company contribution
• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA)
• Company‑paid life and AD&DD insurance
• Short‑and long‑term disability coverage
• Tuition reimbursement

Salary Range

$170,000 - $200,000 USD

Karman Space and Defense is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, protected veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.

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