Program Director

Saab, Inc.; Village of East Syracuse (NY); On-site; USD 210,000 - 255,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical/vision/dental

401(k) with employer contributions

Tuition assistance

Wellness programs

Employee stock purchase plan

Job summary

Saab, Inc. is seeking a Program Director in New York to lead complex radar system programs across ground and naval segments. You will drive development priorities, budgets, and performance metrics while coordinating with engineering, operations, contracts, and finance teams.

The role requires deep EVMS experience, executive communication skills, and the ability to travel up to 25% globally. A U.S. citizen with a security clearance is preferred.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in business, management, engineering, information technology, or a related field. Master's degree is a plus.
• 10+ years of experience in program management, project management, operations, or related discipline.
• 3+ years managing program/project managers or cross-functional teams.
• Experience implementing and managing EVMS for complex programs with PMBs and variances.
• Ability to translate strategy into executable programs, roadmaps, milestones.

Responsibilities

• Develop and manage product development priorities with stakeholders and customers.
• Provide executive-level leadership for assigned program portfolios (cost, schedule, technical performance).
• Set program strategy, budgets, and performance metrics, including EVMS reporting.
• Lead multidisciplinary programs spanning design, development, manufacturing, integration, deployment and sustainment of radar systems.
• Ensure compliance with processes, risk management, and customer commitments.
• Collaborate across functions to optimize resources and achieve portfolio objectives.
• Represent Saab with senior customers across time zones and travel as required.

Skills

Leadership

Stakeholder management

Program risk management

EVMS experience

Security clearance

Travel readiness

Education

Bachelor's degree in business/management/engineering/IT

Tools

Jira

MS Project

Job description

Saab's Surveillance Systems division is seeking a dynamic, results-oriented Program Director. The Program Director could support either the Naval Segment or Ground & Air Segment.

To be successful in this role, the Program Director must demonstrate expertise across a broad range of proposal expertise, development, production process, subcontract management, and Earned Value Management in a defense industry environment.

Responsibilities will include but may not be limited to the following:

• Develop and manage product development priorities by coordinating with stakeholders, customers, programs, business development, engineering, operations, manufacturing, both internal and external. This will include a development of requirements and practical applications to ensure both ground and maritime environments.


• Provide overall leadership and accountability for assigned program portfolios, including cost, schedule, technical performance, customer satisfaction, and profitable growth.


• Establish and govern program strategy, budgets, execution plans, and performance metrics, ensuring alignment with business objectives and customer requirements, including effective use of EVM/EVMS for internal and external reporting.


• Lead complex, multidisciplinary programs spanning the design, development, manufacturing, integration, installation, deployment, modernization, and sustainment of ground-based or naval radar systems.


• Provide executive-level oversight of program execution, ensuring adherence to established processes and successful management of requirements, risk, integration, operational readiness, site acceptance, field deployment, regulatory considerations, and customer commitments.


• Lead cross-functional collaboration across engineering, operations, contracts, finance, quality, supply chain, construction/civil works, sales, product management, and other organizations to optimize resources and achieve portfolio objectives.


• Represent the organization with senior customers and stakeholders, supporting business and program activities across multiple time zones and traveling internationally as required.


• Effectively develop and manage relationships and cooperation with industry partners and customers.


• Ensure strategy alignment with execution across marketing campaigns.


• Set clear expectations and establish performance targets for the program/project team and deliver on those objectives.


• Effectively manage the financial performance of the assigned local operations.


• Ensure compliance with company policies and procedures.


• Interface with Contracts, Finance, CM, QA, ILS, and purchasing organizations across multiple Saab sites.


• Manage a multitude of support activities that may stem across multiple programs.

Compensation Range

$189,000 - $255,100

The compensation range provided is a general guideline. When extending an offer, Saab, Inc. considers factors including (but not limited to) the role and associated responsibilities, location, and market and business considerations, as well as the candidate's work experience, key skills, and education/training.

Skills and Experience

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in business, management, engineering, information technology, or a related field. A master's degree is a plus.


• 10+ years of experience in program management, project management, operations, or a related discipline.


• 3+ years managing program/project managers or cross-functional teams.


• Demonstrated experience implementing and managing EVMS for complex programs, including establishing performance measurement baselines (PMBs), monitoring cost and schedule performance, analyzing variances, and developing corrective action plans.


• Ability to translate organizational strategy into executable programs, roadmaps, milestones, and measurable outcomes.


• Strong experience working with executives, customers, vendors, and cross-functional leaders.


• Experience managing budgets, staffing, resource allocation, and program priorities.


• Ability to identify, assess, and mitigate program risks and dependencies.


• Excellent written, verbal, presentation, and executive-level communication skills.


• Familiarity with project/program management methodologies such as Agile, Scrum, Waterfall, or hybrid approaches, along with tools such as Jira, MS Project, or similar.


• Experience establishing KPIs, tracking program health, and reporting progress to senior leadership.


• Ability to obtain a Secret security clearance.


• Ability to travel up to 25%, both international and domestic.

Citizenship Requirements

Must be a U.S. citizen. Applicants selected may be subject to a government security investigation and must meet eligibility requirements for access to classified information.

Drug-Free Workplaces

Saab is a federal government contractor and adheres to policies and programs necessary for sustaining drug-free workplaces. As a condition of employment, candidates will be required to pass a pre-employment drug screen.

Benefits

Saab provides an excellent working environment offering professional growth opportunities, competitive wages, work-life balance, a business casual atmosphere and comprehensive benefits.

Highlights include

• Medical, vision, and dental insurance for employees and dependents


• Generous paid time off, including 8 designated holidays


• 401(k) with employer contributions


• Tuition assistance and student loan assistance


• Wellness and employee assistance resources


• Employee stock purchase opportunities


• Short-term and long-term disability coverage

About Us

Saab is a leading defense and security company with an enduring purpose, to help nations keep their people and society safe. Empowered by its 28,000 talented people, Saab constantly pushes the boundaries of technology to create a safer and more sustainable world. In the U.S., Saab delivers advanced technology and systems, supporting the U.S. Armed Forces and the Federal Aviation Administration, as well as international and commercial partners. Headquartered in Syracuse, New York, the company has business units and local employees in ten U.S. locations.

Saab is a company where we see diversity as an asset and offer unlimited opportunities for advancing in your career. We are also a company that respects each person's needs and encourage employees to lead a balanced, rewarding life beyond work. Saab values diversity and is an Aff
Saab is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer, all qualified individuals are encouraged to apply and will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, gender identity, age, veteran, disability status, or any other federal, state, or locally protected category.