Program Manager

Karman Space & Defense; Mukilteo (WA); On-site; USD 100,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision insurance

401(k) with company match

Paid time off

Flexible Spending Accounts

Job summary

Karman Space & Defense seeks a Program Manager to lead defense programs through the entire lifecycle, ensuring successful delivery of mission-critical systems. Your expertise in aerospace program management will guide teams in planning, development, and production of cutting-edge solutions across air, land, and sea.

This position offers a unique 9/80 schedule, flexible benefits including comprehensive medical insurance, and a commitment to fostering diverse talent in the workplace.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience in aerospace, defense, or advanced manufacturing.
• Experience managing complex technical programs.
• Knowledge of government contracting and various contract structures.

Responsibilities

• Lead programs through planning, development, and delivery.
• Coordinate cross-functional execution across various teams.
• Identify and drive mitigation plans for project risks.
• Manage contractual deliverables and program changes.

Skills

Aerospace program management

Cross-functional coordination

Risk management

Financial performance methods

Earned Value Management

Contract negotiations

Education

Bachelor’s degree in engineering or related field

Master’s degree or MBA

Tools

ERP systems

PLM systems

Job description

Karman Space & Defense is a leader in the rapid design, development, and production of critical, next‑generation system solutions that align with the U.S. Department of War and its allies’ core mission priorities, and meet the accelerating demand for access to space. Building on nearly 50 years of success, we deliver Payload & Protection Systems, Aero/Hydrodynamic Interstage Systems, and Propulsion & Launch Systems to more than 80 prime contractors supporting over 130 space and defense programs.

This role supports our Defense Systems business, bringing together Hypersonics, Strategic Missile Defense, Tactical Missiles, and Integrated Defense Systems. Modern defense missions demand more than piecemeal parts or patchwork products; they require hardware that seamlessly integrates disparate technologies into a unified system. Backed by decades of flight‑proven performance, our teams deliver tailored mission‑ready solutions across air, land, and sea, including: launch and deployment systems, propulsion, payload protection, integration and deployment.

In this role, you will lead defense programs through planning, development, qualification, production, and delivery. You will develop integrated program plans, manage performance against cost and schedule, coordinate cross‑functional execution, and serve as a primary interface with customers and internal stakeholders. Your work ensures the successful delivery of mission‑critical missile, propulsion, launch, payload, and defense‑system hardware.

Schedule

This role follows a 9/80 schedule, with 9‑hour shifts Monday through Thursday, an 8‑hour shift every other Friday, and the alternating Friday off.

Responsibilities

• Leads assigned programs through planning, development, qualification, production, delivery, and contract completion.
• Owns performance against cost, schedule, technical, quality, contractual, and customer objectives.
• Develops and maintains integrated program plans, schedules, budgets, milestones, resource requirements, and performance metrics.
• Coordinates cross‑functional execution across engineering, operations, quality, supply chain, contracts, finance, and test.
• Serves as a primary program interface for customers, prime contractors, government stakeholders, suppliers, and internal leadership.
• Identifies technical, programmatic, supply‑chain, cost, and schedule risks and drives mitigation and recovery plans.
• Leads recurring program reviews and communicates financial performance, risks, decisions, dependencies, and corrective actions.
• Supports design reviews, test‑readiness reviews, qualification activities, production‑readiness reviews, and customer acceptance events.
• Manages contractual deliverables, statements of work, program changes, customer requests, and scope changes.
• Supports proposals, estimates, contract negotiations, follow‑on opportunities, and program‑growth activities.
• Performs other related duties as needed.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, business program management, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and directly relevant experience.
• At least 5 years of experience supporting or managing aerospace, defense, advanced manufacturing, or similarly complex technical programs.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree in a related technical field or a Master of Business Administration (MBA).
• Experience managing Department of Defense, U.S. government, allied‑defense, or prime‑contractor programs.
• Experience with missile systems, propulsion, launch systems, payload integration, separation systems, energetic devices, or related flight hardware.
• Experience managing programs from development through qualification and production.
• Knowledge of government contracting and fixed‑price, cost‑reimbursable, or incentive‑based contract structures.
• Experience with Earned Value Management (EVM), cost‑account management, or similar financial‑performance methods.
• Experience supporting proposals, estimates, negotiations, contract modifications, or follow‑on program capture.
• Project Management Professional (PMP) certification or equivalent formal program‑management training.
• Experience with program scheduling, enterprise resource planning (ERP), or product‑lifecycle management (PLM) systems.
• Experience leading engineering teams to develop mechanical and pyrotechnic components and systems.

This position requires U.S. person status under U.S. export control laws, including U.S. citizens and nationals, lawful permanent residents, refugees, and asylees.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• 401(k) with company match
• Paid time off
• Health Savings Account (HSA) with company contribution
• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA)
• Company‑paid life and AD&D insurance
• Short‑ and long‑term disability coverage
• Tuition reimbursement

Karman Space and Defense is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable law.