Program Manager

Socket.dev; Camarillo (CA); On-site; USD 150,000 - 210,000; Full time

Job summary

Socket.dev in Camarillo, CA, is seeking a Program Manager to lead aerospace development programs, ensuring on‑time delivery, cost control, and compliance with AS9100D and ITAR.

You will coordinate cross‑functional teams across engineering, supply chain, quality and operations, maintain the IMS schedule, manage risk, and report progress to external customers.

Qualifications

• BS in Engineering, Physics, Aerospace Technology, or related field.
• 10+ years of program mgmt experience in aerospace/defense/aviation.
• Solid scheduling and configuration management knowledge.
• Excellent negotiation and executive communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead programs from contract award through design, qualification, production and lifecycle support.
• Serve as primary liaison with external aerospace/defense customers and report progress.
• Develop and maintain Integrated Master Schedule (IMS) and manage critical path milestones.
• Identify, mitigate, and track program risks and opportunities.
• Ensure compliance with ITAR, EAR, FAR/DFARS and AS9100 requirements.

Skills

Program management

Cross-functional leadership

Stakeholder communication

Risk management

Financial management

Education

BS in Engineering or related field

MS/PhD or MBA a plus

Tools

MS Project

Job description

Position Summary:

The Program Manager (PM) will be responsible for the execution, performance, and financial metrics of complex aerospace development and production programs. This individual will serve as the primary point of contact for external aerospace/defense customers, leading cross-functional teams (including Engineering, Supply Chain, Quality, and Operations) to deliver projects on time, within budget, and to specified technical requirements. The role requires rigorous adherence to aerospace standards (AS9100D), risk management protocols, and strict phase-gate review processes (PDR, CDR, TRR).

Key Responsibilities:

• Program Execution: Lead programs from contract award through design, qualification, production, and lifecycle support using structured Phase-Gate processes.
• Financial Management: Manage program Profit and Loss (P&L), establishing baselines and tracking performance using SAAZ financial tools.
• Customer Interface: Act as the primary liaison for customer interactions, delivering schedule updates, technical milestones, and leading regular Program Progress Reviews.
• Schedule & Baseline Tracking: Develop and maintain the Integrated Master Schedule (IMS) to ensure critical path milestones are met.
• Risk & Opportunity Management: Proactively identify, mitigate, and track program technical, schedule, and cost risks.
• Cross-Functional Leadership: Coordinate day-to-day activities across engineering, manufacturing, procurement, and quality assurance teams without direct reporting authority.
• Regulatory Compliance: Ensure all program activities comply with ITAR, EAR, FAR/DFARS clauses, and AS9100 quality standards.

Desired Qualifications:

• Education: BS in Engineering, Physics, Aerospace Technology, or a related technical discipline. MS or PhD degree or MBA is a plus.
• Experience: 10+ years of program management and project engineering experience within the aerospace, defense, or aviation industries.
• Technical Proficiency: Mastery of Microsoft Project or any equivalent scheduling software; solid understanding of aerospace manufacturing processes, engineering drawings, and configuration management.
• Soft Skills: Exceptional negotiation, conflict resolution, and communication skills suitable for technical briefings with executive leadership and military/astronomy/commercial customers.