Program Deputy Director - SPY-1

Kratos Defense and Security Solutions; Crane (IN); On-site; USD 150,000 - 230,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, Dental & Vision Insurance

Life/ADD & Short/Long Term Disability

401(k) Savings Plan

Employee Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP)

Paid Time-Off & Holidays

Education Reimbursement

Job summary

Kratos Defense and Security Solutions in the United States seeks a Program Deputy Director to lead critical radar sustainment and modernization efforts for a government customer. The role manages planning, execution, and delivery of refurbishment, testing, and integration activities to ensure technical excellence and readiness.

The candidate oversees design, systems engineering, manufacturing, and sustainment planning while coordinating with government sponsors and industry partners.

Qualifications

• BS/BA degree required.
• 15+ years in defense programs, with at least 3 years in leadership roles.
• Experience managing complex DoD hardware programs (radar / EW / C5ISR).
• Knowledge of government acquisition practices and sustainment planning.

Responsibilities

• Lead planning, execution, and delivery of radar refurbishment, testing, and integration activities.
• Develop and manage IMS, WBS, and program baselines aligned to milestones.
• Coordinate technical tasking and reviews across IPTs and with government sponsors.
• Manage government and subcontractor relationships; interface for program matters and reviews.
• Ensure alignment with readiness, affordability, and data control requirements.
• Develop proposals, ROMs, and scopes for follow-on radar sustainment efforts.
• Support business development to expand radar sustainment programs.
• Provide strategic technical innovation and customer engagement.
• Maintain communication with team, suppliers, customers, and leadership.

Skills

15+ years defense programs

program/technical leadership

U.S. Citizenship

radar/DoD programs experience

Education

BS/BA degree

Job description

Job Description

GENERAL JOB SUMMARY:

The Program Deputy Director leads critical radar sustainment and modernization efforts for our government customer. The selected candidate will manage the planning, execution, and delivery of advanced radar refurbishment, testing, and integration activities. This role is pivotal to ensuring technical excellence, cost-effective execution, and alignment with US Department of War mission readiness objectives.

The Program Deputy Director will oversee efforts across design, systems engineering, manufacturing, and sustainment planning. Responsibilities span internal team leadership, coordination with government sponsors, and collaboration with key industry partners.

Primary Responsibilities

• Lead execution of projects, managing cost, schedule, performance, and risk across multiple technical domains and phases (harvesting, prototyping, test, depot planning).
• Develop and manage integrated master schedules (IMS), work breakdown structures (WBS), and program management baselines in alignment with contractual milestones.
• Coordinate technical tasking and reviews across IPTs.
• Manage government and subcontractor relationships, serving as primary interface for all programmatic matters, including milestone reviews and performance reporting.
• Ensure alignment between engineering execution and government requirements for readiness, affordability, and technical data control.
• Lead development of proposals, ROMs, and scope expansions for follow-on phases and associated radar sustainment efforts.
• Support strategic business development by identifying opportunities to expand adjacent radar sustainment and modernization programs.
• Provide strategic thinking towards technical innovation and customer engagement.
• Maintain ongoing communication with team, suppliers, customers, and leadership.
• Ensure compliance with government program standards, data rights management, cybersecurity, and technical baseline control processes.

Essential Job Functions

• Create and maintain program plans, cost models, and resource forecasts.
• Communicate and support internal and external resources (staff, facilities, and equipment).
• Create project milestone plans, schedules, and contract work breakdown structures as appropriate.
• Responsible for project budget, schedule, monitoring, and completion of goals and milestones in accordance with approved plans.
• Conduct recurring reviews of technical progress, financial, and risk mitigation plans.
• Oversee development of program artifacts including CONOPS, digital engineering deliverables, and sustainment documentation.
• Engage directly with government stakeholders to ensure timely resolution of issues, alignment with shipyard schedules, and program objectives.
• Coordinate across Kratos internal divisions and external OEMs to ensure seamless execution and technical continuity.
• Travel as needed to government sites, radar facilities, and Kratos integration locations (up to 25%).

Experience And Skills

Required Experience and Qualifications:

• BS/BA degree
• Minimum of 15 years of experience in defense programs, with at least 3 years in program or technical leadership roles.
• Demonstrated experience managing complex Department of War hardware-intensive projects (e.g., radar, EW, or C5ISR systems).
• Working knowledge of government acquisition practices and sustainment planning (e.g., INCO, ILS, depot stand-up, shipyard coordination).
• U.S. Citizenship required.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Active DoD Secret clearance.
• Prior experience supporting NSWC Crane, PEO IWS, or NAVSEA programs.
• Familiarity with Department of War radar systems.
• Knowledge of digital engineering, MBSE, or advanced manufacturing as applied to radar systems.
• PMP certification or equivalent.

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Job Benefits

• Medical, Dental & Vision Insurance Coverage
• Life/ADD & Short/Long Term Disability Insurance
• 401(k) Savings Plan
• Employee Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP)
• Paid Time-Off (PTO)
• Holidays
• Education Reimbursement

Kratos Defense is an Equal Opportunity Affir Kratos Defense is an Equal Opportunity

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