Program Manager

Slater Consult; Oklahoma City (OK); Hybrid; USD 120,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

MyDefence is seeking a structured Program Manager to lead customer programs involving hardware development, systems integration, and delivery in North America. You will own programs from handover through execution, coordinating with engineering, manufacturing, procurement, and supply chain to meet technical, cost, and schedule targets.

Ideal candidates have 5+ years in program management within aerospace/defense, experience with hardware-software integration, and the ability to obtain a security

Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience in program management, project management, or production management within aerospace, defense, or a related hardware manufacturing environment.
• Proven experience managing technical programs involving physical products, including hardware-software integration, product development, and manufacturing transition.
• Experience with C-UAS, electronic warfare, radar, RF detection systems, military vehicle integration, or similar defense technologies.
• Strong understanding of manufacturing readiness, production readiness reviews, and transitioning products from development into volume manufacturing.
• Experience managing program budgets, schedules, resource allocation, and cost performance.
• Familiarity with Work Breakdown Structures (WBS), Earned Value Management (EVM), and project management or ERP/MRP systems.
• Experience coordinating engineering, manufacturing, procurement, supply chain, and quality assurance functions.
• Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and ability to manage multiple priorities.
• Experience managing customer relationships and communicating with technical, commercial, and government stakeholders.
• Bachelor’s degree required; US citizenship and ability to obtain security clearance preferred.
• Willingness to travel approximately 30%.
• PMP certification or equivalent is strongly preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage C-UAS hardware and software programs, including product development, systems integration, manufacturing transition, and customer delivery
• Oversee the transition of products from engineering development and LRIP into full-rate manufacturing
• Develop and maintain program schedules, Work Breakdown Structures (WBS), budgets, milestones, and deliverables
• Monitor program costs, timelines, and performance using EVM principles
• Coordinate cross-functional teams, allocate tasks, and ensure accountability across engineering, manufacturing, procurement, quality assurance, and logistics
• Collaborate with procurement and supply chain functions to manage material costs, suppliers, subcontractors, and production schedules
• Drive manufacturing readiness, production readiness reviews, and configuration management activities
• Serve as the primary point of contact for military, DoW, DHS, and commercial customers throughout program execution
• Identify and manage program risks, implement corrective actions, and ensure compliance with contractual requirements and quality standards
• Identify opportunities for additional equipment, training, and technical support throughout the customer relationship
• Contribute to the development and improvement of program management processes, tools, and reporting structures

Skills

Program management

Leadership

Stakeholder communication

Organizational skills

Risk management

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Business, or related field

Tools

ERP/MRP systems

Earned Value Management (EVM)

WBS planning

Job description

MyDefence is a leading provider of advanced counter-drone technology, delivering mission-critical solutions to defense, government, and security customers worldwide. With rapid growth in the U.S. market, the company is expanding its team and strengthening its program management capabilities.

To support this growth, we are looking for a structured and technically minded Program Manager to lead customer programs involving hardware development, systems integration, manufacturing transition, and delivery. This is a key role within MyDefence North America, offering significant ownership and the opportunity to help develop the company’s program management processes as the business continues to grow.

Key Responsibilities

As Program Manager, you will take ownership of customer programs from initial handover through execution and delivery, ensuring that technical requirements, budgets, and timelines are met. Working closely with commercial, engineering, manufacturing, procurement, and supply chain teams, your responsibilities include:

• Lead and manage C-UAS hardware and software programs, including product development, systems integration, manufacturing transition, and customer delivery
• Oversee the transition of products from engineering development and low-rate initial production (LRIP) into full-rate manufacturing
• Develop and maintain program schedules, Work Breakdown Structures (WBS), budgets, milestones, and deliverables
• Monitor program costs, timelines, and performance using appropriate project management tools and Earned Value Management (EVM) principles
• Coordinate cross-functional teams, allocate tasks, and ensure accountability across engineering, manufacturing, procurement, quality assurance, and logistics
• Collaborate with procurement and supply chain functions to manage material costs, suppliers, subcontractors, and production schedules
• Drive manufacturing readiness, production readiness reviews, and configuration management activities
• Serve as the primary point of contact for military, Department of War (DoW), Department of Homeland Security (DHS), and commercial customers throughout program execution
• Identify and manage program risks, implement corrective actions, and ensure compliance with contractual requirements and applicable quality standards
• Identify opportunities for additional equipment, training, and technical support throughout the customer relationship
• Contribute to the development and improvement of program management processes, tools, and reporting structures

Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience in program management, project management, or production management within aerospace, defense, or a related hardware manufacturing environment
• Proven experience managing technical programs involving physical products, including hardware-software integration, product development, and manufacturing transition
• Experience with C-UAS, electronic warfare, radar, RF detection systems, military vehicle integration, or similar defense technologies
• Strong understanding of manufacturing readiness, production readiness reviews, and transitioning products from development into volume manufacturing
• Experience managing program budgets, schedules, resource allocation, and cost performance
• Familiarity with Work Breakdown Structures (WBS), Earned Value Management (EVM), and project management or ERP/MRP systems
• Experience coordinating engineering, manufacturing, procurement, supply chain, and quality assurance functions
• Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and ability to manage multiple priorities
• Experience managing customer relationships and communicating with technical, commercial, and government stakeholders
• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Business, or a related field. Extensive relevant experience may substitute for formal education
• U.S. citizenship required, with the ability to obtain and maintain a security clearance
• Willingness to travel approximately 30%

PMP certification or equivalent is strongly preferred.

Additionally, experience working with international or foreign-owned organizations, familiarity with ITAR and other import/export regulations, and previous exposure to U.S. military or DHS customers would be considered strong advantages.

About you

You are a structured and detail-oriented professional who takes ownership of your programs and ensures that commitments are met. You enjoy coordinating people, managing complexity, and bringing clarity to technical projects with multiple stakeholders.

You are proactive, solution-oriented, and comfortable making decisions based on data. You communicate clearly, hold people accountable, and know how to balance customer expectations with technical, operational, and commercial realities.

You thrive in an environment where processes are still evolving and see an opportunity to help build the structure needed to support continued growth.

What MyDefence Offers

• Innovative work atmosphere: A company with an expansive growth vision, providing opportunities for personal and professional development
• Autonomy and impact: A key role with significant responsibility for customer programs and the opportunity to help shape MyDefence’s program management function
• Growth opportunity: Be part of a rapidly expanding U.S. presence with a global footprint

Location:

Oklahoma City, OK (preferred) or Reston, VA (hybrid)

Start date:

As soon as possible

Position:

Full-time

Travel:

Approximately 30%

Compensation:

$120,000–$150,000 base salary, plus bonus, depending on experience and qualifications

Contact: For more information, please contact Bjoerg Larsen at [e-mail]. SlaterConsult is MyDefence’s recruiting partner for the position.

About MyDefence

MyDefence designs and delivers advanced Counter-Unmanned Aerial Systems (C-UAS) and electronic warfare solutions that keep service members, national security and critical infrastructure safe.

At MyDefence, we believe that innovation is the key to staying ahead of evolving security threats and that our work has the potential to make a real difference in people’s lives.

With a dynamic and diverse work environment, MyDefence is an exciting and rewarding place to work for those who are passionate about using technology to make the world a safer place.

MyDefence is an equal opportunity employer, adhering to EEOC guidelines. The company maintains a drug-free workplace and may conduct testing at any time.

SlaterConsult/MyDefence is committed to fair and transparent recruitment practices. Compensation ranges are provided in accordance with applicable laws. All candidate evaluations are conducted by human recruiters. Artificial intelligence is used only to support administrative efficiency and not to make hiring decisions.