IRAD Program Lead – Hardware A&D, Tech Maturation

Ralliant; Hollister (CA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Ralliant in Hollister, CA seeks a senior program manager to lead internally funded IRAD initiatives maturing hardware aerospace technologies and preparing products for future markets. You will manage two to three concurrent programs with a combined portfolio valued between $3 million and $10 million, reporting to the Director of Program Management.

This role requires deep technical fluency, disciplined governance, and strong communication with executives.

Qualifications

• 7+ years of relevant program or project management experience in hardware-focused development.
• Experience in aerospace and defense projects with engineering interactions.
• Ability to lead multiple concurrent programs in a matrix environment.
• Experience with integrated schedules, cost control, risk/opportunity management, and governance.
• Experience maturing technology and TRL progression.
• Proficiency with MS Project and Power BI; strong executive communication.

Responsibilities

• Independently lead multiple internally funded technical development programs, owning scope, schedules, budgets, milestones, deliverables, risks, opportunities, and performance against objectives.
• Establish and maintain integrated program schedules, cost controls, risk and opportunity registers, action plans, and phase-gate deliverables.
• Coordinate matrixed teams across engineering, testing, manufacturing, quality, supply chain, finance, and other disciplines.
• Manage technology maturation and TRL progression; collaborate on priorities and go/no-go decisions.
• Prepare clear program-health dashboards and executive updates covering schedule, financials, technical progress, and risks.
• Support alignment of IRAD investments with product-development priorities and market opportunities.

Skills

Program management

Executive communication

Risk & governance

Earned value management

Education

Bachelor's in engineering or related field

Tools

Microsoft Project

Power BI

ERP systems

Job description

Ralliant in Hollister, CA seeks a senior program manager to lead internally funded IRAD initiatives maturing hardware aerospace technologies and preparing products for future markets. You will manage two to three concurrent programs with a combined portfolio valued between $3 million and $10 million, reporting to the Director of Program Management.

This role requires deep technical fluency, disciplined governance, and strong communication with executives.