Manager - X-Band AESA Product Development Lead

Lockheed Martin; Highlands Ranch (CO); On-site; USD 167,000 - 310,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible work arrangements

401(k) match

Paid time off

Education assistance

Job summary

Lockheed Martin is seeking an experienced Product Development Leader to direct the X‑Band AESA engineering team within the Ignite Organization. You will own technical performance, cost, and schedule for the X‑Band AESA activities, coordinating with systems, RF, and other IPT leads to ensure alignment with mission requirements.

The role requires directing senior leadership communications, coordinating with suppliers, and ensuring program milestones through IBR and EVM processes, while balancing

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required or 8+ years of related experience.
• Demonstrated leadership across diverse teams to achieve objectives.
• Experience on an Integrated Product Team (IPT).
• Experience with risk and opportunity management and EVM principles.

Responsibilities

• Direct an interdisciplinary X‑Band AESA payload team for a Program of Record.
• Manage technical performance, cost targets, and schedule for structures and thermal-control solutions.
• Coordinate with systems, electrical, and RF leads for seamless integration.
• Conduct trade studies, risk analyses, and mitigation planning to protect schedule and budget.

Skills

Leadership

IPT experience

EVM

Risk management

IMS scheduling

Problem solving

Multitasking

Clearance eligibility

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in Aerospace/Electrical/Mechanical

Tools

EVM tools

SOW/IWTAs coordination

Job description

Standard Job Description

We are looking for an energetic Product Development Leader (PDL) to direct the X‑Band AESA engineering team within the Communications and Sensor Technology Directorate within the Ignite Organization. This cross‑functional team is charged with designing, developing, and delivering the primary payload of the RF system, which includes subcontracts and manufacturing scope. The X‑Band AESA PDL will own the technical performance, cost, and schedule for all the X‑Band AESA activities.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead an interdisciplinary team in the design, development, and integration of the X‑Band AESA Payload in preparation for a Program of Record.
• Assume responsibility for technical performance, cost targets, and schedule commitments for structures, mechanisms, and thermal‑control solutions.
• Coordinate with systems, digital, electrical, and other IPT leads to guarantee seamless integration and adherence to mission requirements.
• Conduct trade studies, risk analyses, and mitigation planning to protect schedule and budget health.
• Provide clear direction, mentorship, and performance feedback to team members.
• Act as the primary liaison for senior leadership and external stakeholders regarding AESA‑related program status and milestones.
• Serve as the focal point for the X‑Band AESA IPT, steering technical and programmatic decisions and keeping the team aligned with the Integrated Baseline Review (IBR), Earned Value Management (EVM), and contractual obligations.
• Partner with the RF Payloads IPT Lead, program manager, Chief engineer, Program counterparts and other IPT leads to enable successful program execution.
• Work with Supply Chain to verify that Supplier Statements of Work (SOWs) and Individual Work‑Task Agreements (IWTAs) are fully synchronized with program requirements.

The X‑Band AESA PDL will be responsible for technical direction, planning, staffing, interfacing with LM senior management, customers, subcontractors, partners and suppliers, and integration and coordination with all functional organizations involved in system design, integration, assembly, test and delivery. The position requires a high level of technical and business acumen to balance priorities, drive issue prevention/resolution, and clearly communicate status and needs to our customer/partners, and with both Lockheed Martin and supplier executives.

Directs all phases of programs from inception through completion. Responsible for coordinating subordinate employee recruitment, selection and training, performance assessment, work assignments, salary, and recognition/disciplinary actions. Responsible for the cost, schedule and technical performance of company programs or subsystems of major programs. Participates in the negotiation of contract and contract changes. Coordinates the preparation of proposals, business plans, proposal work statements and specifications, operating budgets and financial terms/conditions of contract. Acts as primary customer contact for program activities, leading program review sessions with customer to discuss cost, schedule, and technical performance. Establishes design concepts, criteria and engineering efforts for product research, development, integration and test. Develops new business or expands the product line with the customer. Establishes milestones and monitors adherence to master plans and schedules, identifies program problems and obtains solutions, such as allocation of resources or changing contractual specifications. Directs the work of employees assigned to the program from technical, manufacturing and administrative areas. Proficient in AI prompting as it applies to this position and practice.

Basic Qualifications

• A minimum of 5 years of experience in payload or product development programs.
• Demonstrated Full Spectrum Leadership skills with the ability to organize and motivate individuals with diverse backgrounds and experience to achieve common objectives
• Proven experience on an Integrated Product Team
• Experience as a CAM or with earned value management principles
• Experience with risk and opportunity management
• Demonstrated ability to work with technical leads to manage cost, schedule, and technical scope
• Self‑Starter with strong problem‑solving skills and the ability to multitask
• Ability to develop, maintain, and reporting of Integrated Master schedules (IMS)
• Skilled at leading engineering teams to achieve goals on time and on budget
• Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace, Electrical, Mechanical or 8+ years of applicable related experience
• US Citizenship with the ability to obtain and maintain a Secret Security clearance

Desired Skills

• Ability to influence cross functional teams, resolve conflicts, and present technical information clearly to both technical and non-technical audiences.
• Demonstrated successful delivery of subsystem(s) or products on schedule and within cost.
• Experience manufacturing hardware in SEC & RAC
• Experience transitioning hardware from development to Flight
• Experience throughout engineering lifecycle and Design Reviews (SRR, PDR, CDR)
• Experience on international programs
• Positive attitude, accountable and responsible and able to work in a team‑focused, dynamic environment
• Demonstrated behaviors of a systems thinker; selects and applies appropriate systems thinking skills to solve very complex problems and implement constructive change
• Space segment design and test experience with one or more subsystems or disciplines outside of Systems Engineering
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, strong social skills, with the ability to lead multi‑functional teams, build strong relationships with team members and build consensus among peers
• Active Secret Security Clearance

Pay Information

Full‑Time Salary Range: $166900.00 - $309900.00

Benefits offered

Medical, Dental, Vision, Flexible work arrangements and schedules (e.g., 4x10), 401(k) match, Paid time off, Holidays, Parental Leave, EAP, Flexible Spending Accounts, Education Assistance, Life Insurance, Short-Term Disability, and Long-Term Disability.

• Annual short-term and/or long-term incentive compensation programs may be offered depending on the position. Payments under these annual programs are not guaranteed and can vary from year to year and are tied to a range of performance metrics.
• For (Washington state applicants only) Non‑represented full‑time employees: accrue at least 10 hours per month of Paid Time Off (PTO) to be used for incidental absences and other reasons; receive at least 90 hours for holidays. Represented full time employees accrue 6.67 hours of Vacation per month; accrue up to 52 hours of sick leave annually; receive at least 96 hours for holidays. PTO, Vacation, sick leave, and holiday hours are prorated based on start date during the calendar year.