IRAD Program Lead: Strategy, Risk & Execution

Harris Geospatial Solutions; Carlsbad (CA); On-site; USD 127,050 - 236,500; Full time

Job summary

L3Harris Technologies in Carlsbad, CA seeks a Lead, Program Management to oversee a portfolio of IRAD programs, providing onsite guidance and cross‑functional leadership. The role focuses on program execution, financial management, risk handling, and alignment with growth and technology roadmaps.

You'll mentor project managers, manage budgets, ensure schedule adherence, and communicate status and investment strategies to senior leadership. Travel up to 25% may be required.

Qualifications

• Experience leading cross-functional or cross-departmental project teams.
• Experience managing IRAD portfolios or technology development initiatives.
• Strong communication and leadership skills.

Responsibilities

• Demonstrated experience managing IRAD portfolios or technology development initiatives, including planning, prioritization, budgeting, execution oversight, and transition of technologies into programs or products.
• Develop and implement program strategies, plans, and objectives that align with the organization's goals.
• Lead and mentor project managers and teams to achieve program milestones and deliverables; coordinate cross-project activities and facilitate collaboration across multiple departments and stakeholders.
• Manage program budgets, ensuring resources are allocated effectively and financial objectives are met; providing regular updates to senior management and key stakeholders.
• Identify and mitigate program risks, implementing solutions to overcome obstacles and challenges.
• Ensure compliance with relevant regulations, industry standards, and organizational policies.
• Drive continuous improvement within the program, leveraging best practices and lessons learned from project execution.
• Experience developing and presenting status, value assessments, and investment strategies to senior leadership.
• Proven ability to partner with engineering, business development, and strategy teams to align IRAD investments with long‑term business objectives and customer needs.
• Strong understanding of the technology maturation lifecycle, risk management, and milestone-driven development practices.
• Ability to travel up to 25%.

Skills

IRAD management

Cross-functional leadership

Budgeting

Risk management

Stakeholder communication

Education

Bachelor’s Degree

Graduate Degree

Job description

L3Harris Technologies in Carlsbad, CA seeks a Lead, Program Management to oversee a portfolio of IRAD programs, providing onsite guidance and cross‑functional leadership. The role focuses on program execution, financial management, risk handling, and alignment with growth and technology roadmaps.

You'll mentor project managers, manage budgets, ensure schedule adherence, and communicate status and investment strategies to senior leadership. Travel up to 25% may be required.