Mission Integration TPM — Aerial Systems Delivery

Sitreps; San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 140,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Venture-backed defense-technology startup in the San Francisco Bay Area seeks a Technical Program Manager – Mission Integration. This role embeds with engineering to manage the downstream PM lifecycle from first flight through handoff to customer teams.

The TPM ensures schedules reflect engineering reality, coordinates with product and growth, and may fly the platforms in the field. Travel ~25% and on-site work are expected.

Qualifications

• 5–10 years in technical program management or military PM with private-sector background
• Experience delivering schedules, milestones, and statements of work
• Experience with hardware or software in unmanned systems, robotics, aviation, or ISR
• Ability to work with engineers and translate technical realities into commitments
• Strong organization and discipline across multiple concurrent programs
• Comfort in a fast-scaling startup environment where roles evolve

Responsibilities

• Own downstream program management end-to-end for one or more platforms.
• Drive schedules and milestones across multiple programs with competing priorities.
• Keep engineering and growth aligned so delivery reflects true system state.
• Review statements of work with growth and engagement teams to reflect reality.
• Handoff to customer support, training, and demo teams as products launch.
• Get hands-on with platforms in the field, including flying them.
• Translate field insights into actionable feedback for engineering and product.

Skills

Program management

Cross-functional delivery

Scheduling & milestones

Engineering language

Field hands-on (flying platforms)

Job description

Venture-backed defense-technology startup in the San Francisco Bay Area seeks a Technical Program Manager – Mission Integration. This role embeds with engineering to manage the downstream PM lifecycle from first flight through handoff to customer teams.

The TPM ensures schedules reflect engineering reality, coordinates with product and growth, and may fly the platforms in the field. Travel ~25% and on-site work are expected.