Program Manager, Defense Applications

IPG Defense; Huntsville (AL); Hybrid; USD 120,000 - 170,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision insurance

401(k) plan with company match

Paid vacation and holidays

Job summary

IPG Defense in Huntsville, AL is seeking a Program Manager, Defense Applications to drive successful execution of defense programs from development through fielding. The role interfaces with government customers, prime contractors, and IPG’s engineering, manufacturing, and business teams.

The ideal candidate has 5+ years in defense program management, proven control of cost, schedule, and technical performance, and the ability to obtain a DoD Secret clearance.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Physics, Business, or a related field.
• 5+ years of program or project management experience in defense, aerospace, or other regulated high-tech industries.
• Demonstrated success managing cost, schedule, and technical performance on DoD programs.
• Knowledge of government contract types (FFP, CPFF, T&M) and DoD acquisition processes.
• Strong leadership, communication, and customer-relationship skills.
• Availability for domestic and international travel.
• Ability to obtain a DoD Secret security clearance.

Responsibilities

• Manage cost, schedule, and technical performance of assigned defense programs in accordance with contract requirements and company policies.
• Develop and maintain integrated master schedules, program budgets, and resource plans; track execution against baselines and phase-review objectives.
• Lead risk and opportunity management, including identification, mitigation planning, and burn-down tracking.
• Drive programs through the full lifecycle: development, prototype, integration and test, LRIP, and transition to full-rate production.
• Serve as a primary programmatic point of contact for DoD customers, prime contractors, and program offices.
• Lead program management reviews (PMRs), milestone reviews (SRR/PDR/CDR/TRR), and customer demonstrations.
• Support negotiation of contracts, contract changes, and change orders; manage performance to the Statement of Work and contract terms.
• Contribute to proposal development, basis-of-estimate preparation, and capture support for follow-on and new business.
• Lead integrated product teams (IPTs) across engineering, manufacturing, quality, supply chain, and finance.
• Coordinate supplier and subcontractor performance affecting program cost, schedule, and quality.
• Communicate program status, financials, and risks clearly to leadership.
• Ensure program compliance with ITAR/export control, security, and applicable government regulations.

Skills

Program management

Leadership

Communication

Travel readiness

Security clearance

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Physics, Business, or related field

Tools

EVM

PMP certification

DAWIA training

Job description

POSITION INFORMATION

Department / Function: Engineering – IPG Defense

Reports To: Director of Defense Applications

Work Location: Huntsville, AL

Employment Type: Full-time (Exempt)

Travel: Up to 25% — customer sites, test ranges, and program reviews; must be available for international travel.

Security / Clearance: Ability to obtain a DoD Secret clearance required; active clearance preferred.

ABOUT IPG DEFENSE

IPG Defense, a stand‑alone business of IPG Photonics, was incorporated in 2026 to provide direct support for defense products. Headquartered in Huntsville, AL, IPG Defense is bringing commercial scale to laser defense systems, leveraging IPG Photonics’ 36 years of experience in fiber laser technology. Our mission: develop and deliver the most advanced, next‑generation laser defense solutions for military and civilian use — systems that accurately and reliably detect, track, target, and neutralize threats.

IPG Photonics is the world’s leading developer and manufacturer of high‑performance fiber lasers and amplifiers for diverse applications in numerous markets. Founded in 1990, IPG pioneered the development and commercialization of optical fiber‑based lasers — a critical technology in our high‑energy laser (HEL) systems, including the CROSSBOW program.

Your skills and experience will play a key role in shaping our growing organization, building our capabilities, and delivering on our mission. Join us and build a career that will shape the future of laser defense.

POSITION SUMMARY

The Program Manager, Defense Applications is responsible for the successful execution of IPG Defense programs — spanning directed‑energy and counter‑UAS systems from development through production and fielding. This mid‑level role is accountable for cost, schedule, and technical performance in accordance with contract requirements, serving as a primary interface between government customers, prime contractors, and IPG’s engineering, manufacturing, and business teams. The Program Manager turns IPG’s fiber‑laser technology advantage into delivered, fielded capability for the warfighter.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Program Execution

• Manage cost, schedule, and technical performance of assigned defense programs in accordance with contract requirements and company policies.


• Develop and maintain integrated master schedules, program budgets, and resource plans; track execution against baselines and phase‑review objectives.


• Lead risk and opportunity management, including identification, mitigation planning, and burn‑down tracking.


• Drive programs through the full lifecycle: development, prototype, integration and test, LRIP, and transition to full‑rate production.

Customer & Contract Management

• Serve as a primary programmatic point of contact for DoD customers, prime contractors, and program offices.


• Lead program management reviews (PMRs), milestone reviews (SRR/PDR/CDR/TRR), and customer demonstrations.


• Support negotiation of contracts, contract changes, and change orders; manage performance to the Statement of Work and contract terms.


• Contribute to proposal development, basis‑of‑estimate preparation, and capture support for follow‑on and new business.

Team & Cross‑Functional Leadership

• Lead integrated product teams (IPTs) across engineering, manufacturing, quality, supply chain, and finance.


• Coordinate supplier and subcontractor performance affecting program cost, schedule, and quality.


• Communicate program status, financials, and risks clearly to leadership.


• Ensure program compliance with ITAR/export control, security, and applicable government regulations.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Physics, Business, or a related field.


• 5+ years of program or project management experience in defense, aerospace, or other regulated high‑tech industries.


• Demonstrated success managing cost, schedule, and technical performance on DoD programs.


• Knowledge of government contract types (FFP, CPFF, T&M) and DoD acquisition processes.


• Strong leadership, communication, and customer‑relationship skills.


• Availability for domestic and international travel.


• Ability to obtain a DoD Secret security clearance.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Experience with laser test events on government test ranges.


• Knowledge of FAR/DFARS and ITAR.


• PMP certification or DAWIA program management training.


• Experience with Earned Value Management (EVM).


• Experience with directed‑energy, laser, electro‑optical, or C‑UAS systems.


• Experience transitioning hardware from prototype through LRIP to production.


• Familiarity with MIL‑STD‑810/461 qualification and defense test programs.


• Active DoD Secret (or higher) clearance.


• Master’s degree or MBA.

WORK ENVIRONMENT & PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• Office, lab, and integration settings; periodic presence at field tests and customer facilities.


• Laser‑safety PPE required when in lab and integration areas.

WHY JOIN IPG DEFENSE

• Work at the forefront of directed‑energy and photonics innovation on systems that matter to national security.


• Vertically integrated technology: we design and build our own lasers, giving engineers end‑to‑end ownership from component to fielded system.


• Small, expert, fast‑moving team in Huntsville, AL — one of the nation’s fastest‑growing aerospace and defense hubs.


• Career growth through hands‑on work across the full product lifecycle: concept, prototype, integration, field test, and production.


• Competitive salary and a comprehensive benefits package — see Compensation & Benefits below.

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS

Other Compensation

Employees in this role are eligible for additional rewards which could include:

• Annual Discretionary Bonus

Benefits Provided

All Regular US employees receive:

• Paid vacation time accrued based on years of service


• Paid sick time


• 12 (twelve) Paid Holidays Each Calendar Year

Additional Benefits Offered

IPG also offers access to:

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance plans with options for HSA/FSA


• Dependent Care FSA


• Paid Basic Life and AD&D Insurance


• Short‑term and Long‑term Disability insurance


• 401(k) plan with Company matching


• Employee Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP)


• Tuition Reimbursement Program


• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)


• Adoption Assistance


• Pet Insurance


• Parental Bonding Leave


• Bright Horizons Backup Care


• Bright Horizons College Coach

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY

IPG Defense is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran.