Program Manager

Voyager Technologies; San Diego (CA); On-site; USD 140,000 - 193,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible Time Off

Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage

401(k) retirement plan with matching

Gym memberships

Wellness programs

Job summary

Voyager Technologies in San Diego is looking for a Program Manager to lead embedded systems programs supporting defense and space applications. This role requires managing program performance, including cost and schedule, and collaborating with engineering teams to meet project objectives.

The ideal candidate will have a strong engineering background and 3+ years of program management experience. This position offers a competitive salary range of $140,000 to $193,000 and includes a variety of benefits to support work-life balance.

Qualifications

• Strong engineering background required.
• 3+ years of experience in program management.
• Experience supporting defense or space environments.

Responsibilities

• Lead delivery of embedded systems programs for defense and space.
• Manage program performance, including cost and schedules.
• Drive cross-functional execution across teams.

Skills

Program management

Embedded systems

Cross-functional leadership

Risk management

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor’s degree in relevant engineering field

Job description

Voyager is an innovative space, defense, and national security technology company committed to advancing and delivering transformative, mission‑critical solutions. We tackle the most complex challenges to unlock new frontiers for human progress, fortify national security, and protect critical assets, leading in the race for technological and operational superiority from ground to space.

About Voyager Technologies

We build technologies that protect lives, expand frontiers, and prepare us for what’s next. These roles are for people who solve, build, adapt, and lead.

Position: Program Manager (Embedded Systems)

We are seeking a Program Manager with a strong engineering background to lead complex embedded‑systems programs supporting defense and space applications. This hands‑on technical program leader works closely with engineering teams, understands technical tradeoffs, and drives disciplined execution across cost, schedule, scope, risk, compliance, and customer commitments.

Responsibilities

• Lead planning, execution, and delivery of embedded systems programs for defense and space customers.
• Own program performance across cost, schedule, technical scope, risk, quality, contractual deliverables, and customer satisfaction.
• Partner closely with engineering teams to understand requirements, assess tradeoffs, identify risks, and ensure execution aligns with customer and contract requirements.
• Develop and maintain integrated program plans, schedules, risk registers, action trackers, customer deliverable trackers, and executive‑level status reporting.
• Drive cross‑functional execution across engineering, manufacturing, supply chain, quality, contracts, finance, business development, and customer‑facing teams.
• Identify risks, dependencies, and blockers early; develop mitigation plans and drive issues to closure.
• Operate effectively in ambiguous environments, making informed decisions with incomplete data while refining assumptions, plans, and priorities.
• Lead recovery efforts for challenged programs by establishing clear priorities, improving execution discipline, driving accountability, and returning programs to a stable and predictable path.
• Support contract review, proposal input, statements of work, deliverables, milestones, and customer communications.
• Partner with contracts and leadership to ensure program execution aligns with prime contract requirements, subcontractor flow‑downs, customer expectations, and applicable compliance obligations.
• Support compliance with government contracting, export control, and defense program requirements (DFARS, ITAR).
• Communicate program status, risks, tradeoffs, and recommendations clearly to internal leadership, external customers, and key stakeholders.
• Build strong customer relationships through disciplined execution, proactive communication, transparency, and ownership of outcomes.
• Drive a culture of accountability, urgency, attention to detail, and continuous improvement across assigned programs.

Basic Qualifications

• Must be able to obtain and maintain a U.S. Security Clearance at the appropriate level (requires U.S. Citizenship).
• Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering, computer engineering, aerospace engineering, systems engineering, mechanical engineering, or another related discipline.
• Engineering background with experience on complex technical programs involving embedded systems, avionics, electronics, hardware/software integration, or similar mission‑critical products.
• 3+ years of experience in program management, technical program management, engineering program leadership, or related roles supporting complex technical programs.
• Experience supporting defense, space, or other highly regulated technical environments.
• Demonstrated ability to lead cross‑functional teams in fast‑paced, resource‑constrained, or startup‑like environments.
• Strong understanding of technical scope, program cost, schedule, risk, customer deliverables, and execution tradeoffs.
• Experience reviewing or supporting contracts, statements of work, deliverable requirements, milestones, and customer obligations.
• Working knowledge of DFARS, prime contracts, subcontractor flow‑downs, and government contracting environments.
• Familiarity with ITAR and export‑controlled program environments.
• Proven ability to bring structure to ambiguous situations and drive execution with limited data or direction.
• Strong attention to detail, organizational discipline, and follow‑through.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Experience managing defense and/or space programs under different contract types; working knowledge of Earned Value Management principles.
• Willingness and ability to support program needs outside normal business hours when required.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in a startup, growth‑stage or small‑company environment with highly hands‑on leaders across multiple functions.
• Experience leading program recovery, corrective action planning, or turnaround efforts for programs with challenges.
• Prior experience as engineer, systems engineer, technical lead, engineering manager, or technical program manager.
• Experience supporting programs for prime contractors or major defense and space customers.
• Experience with embedded software, electronics, avionics, spacecraft systems, defense electronics, communications systems, mission systems, or other mission‑critical hardware/software products.
• Experience supporting proposals, customer negotiations, change orders, contract modifications, and program financial reviews.
• Advanced degree in engineering, business, or a related technical field.

Compensation

Good‑faith base salary range: $140,000 - $193,000 at the time of posting. The range reflects base salary only and does not include benefits or bonus/incentive. This position is incentive‑plan eligible.

Benefits

• Flexible Time Off (FTO) to support work‑life balance.
• Comprehensive medical, dental, vision coverage for employees and families.
• Gym memberships with low‑cost options and on‑demand workout videos.
• 401(k) retirement plan with a 50% company match up to 8%.
• Wellness programs for physical and mental well‑being.
• Additional voluntary benefits and employee support resources.
• Opportunity to work with a highly talented, mission‑driven team.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Voyager is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, national or ethnic origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, protected veteran status, or other characteristics protected by law.

Export Compliance

To conform to U.S. Government export regulations, applicants must be a U.S. Person: a U.S. Citizen, lawful permanent resident, or protected individual. Eligible to obtain required export authorizations from the U.S. Department of State or the U.S. Department of Commerce.

California Pay Range

$140,000—$193,000 USD