Program Manager I

Safran DSI; Parker (CO); On-site; USD 115,000 - 135,000; Full time

Job summary

Safran DSI Space Solutions seeks a Program Manager to lead assigned programs from award through delivery, coordinating engineering, supply chain, manufacturing and quality teams. You will serve as the day‑to‑day contact for customers, manage cost, schedule, and technical performance, and mentor under senior staff.

The role offers growth as a step‑up opportunity for engineers moving into program management, with potential future ITAR considerations and possible classified scope.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, business, project management, or related field.
• 1+ years of PM/Project Management experience.
• 5+ years in engineering/aerospace/telecommunications or related field.
• Strong organizational and communication skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively in a cross‑functional technical environment.
• Familiarity with scheduling, risk management, and project management principles.
• US citizenship required for DoD clearance.

Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain program plans and schedules for assigned programs.
• Own the risk register for assigned programs and drive mitigation actions.
• Manage program budget, track cost and labor, and review supplier invoices.
• Coordinate cross‑functional teams across engineering, supply chain, manufacturing and quality.
• Interact with customers; lead program reviews and document commitments.

Skills

Organizational skills

Communication skills

Cross‑functional collaboration

PM principles

Multitasking

Education

Bachelors degree in engineering/business/project management

Job description

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Safran DSI Business Unit: Space Solutions

ABOUT OUR MISSION:

Join the forefront of innovation and make an impact at Safran Defense & Space, Inc.!

Safran Defense & Space Inc. (Safran DSI), headquartered in Arlington, Va., is a leading U.S. aerospace company dedicated to supporting national defense and space missions. As a trusted partner to the U.S. armed forces, government agencies, and commercial sectors, Safran DSI delivers advanced technology solutions through its specialized business units: Assured PNT, Attollo Engineering, Geospatial AI, Optronics, Space Solutions, and Testing & Telemetry.

Safran DSI Space Solutions specializes in comprehensive satellite ground stations and modems, on-board radio communications for small satellite platforms, space optics, space propulsion systems, as well as solutions for space domain awareness (SDA) and surveillance, reconnaissance and tracking (SRT).

If you’re ready to join our mission and serve those who serve, Safran DSI is the perfect place for you to take your career to the next level. Make a real difference and be part of something extraordinary.

POSITION PROFILE:

The Program Manager leads assigned programs within the Business Unit, with accountability for cost, schedule, technical performance, and customer commitments. This role coordinates with engineering, supply chain, manufacturing, and quality to move programs from award through delivery, and serves as the day-to-day point of contact for assigned customers. The position is structured as a step-up opportunity for an engineer or technical professional moving into program management — the Program Manager owns program outcomes while receiving mentorship and oversight from senior program staff. Work is performed and assigned programs may include classified scope in the future.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Develop and maintain program plans and schedules for assigned programs, coordinate inputs from functional teams and elevate schedule impacts.
• Own the risk register for assigned programs: identify risks, log mitigation plans, and drive actions to closure.
• Manage program budget for assigned scope: Track cost and labor performance against baseline, review supplier invoices, analyze variances, and recommend corrective action.
• Serve as the integrating point across engineering, supply chain, manufacturing, and quality; drive cross-functional commitments and hold teams to agreed dates.
• Serve as day-to-day point of contact for assigned customers; lead recurring program reviews and telecons, and document commitments and action items to closure.
• Prepare and deliver program status reviews and briefings to internal leadership and customers; maintain program dashboards and status reporting.
• Contribute to Statements of Work (SOW), requirements documentation, and Contract Data Requirements List (CDRL — the schedule of documents the government contractually requires as deliverables) submittals.
• Administer change control and configuration management for assigned programs; assess cost and schedule impact of proposed changes and route them through the change board.
• Plan and coordinate test, demonstration, and delivery activities, including required customer and government approvals.
• Ensure assigned programs execute in compliance with ITAR, export control requirements, contract terms, and company quality procedures.
• Operate under the mentorship and technical direction of senior program staff; program decisions with significant cost, schedule, or customer impact are reviewed with the Director, Ground Space Systems.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

WHAT YOU’LL NEED TO BE SUCCESSFUL:

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, business, project management, or related field.
• 1 + years of Previous Program Management or Project Management experience.
• 5+ years of professional experience in engineering, aerospace, telecommunications, or related technical field.
• Strong organizational and communication skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively in a cross-functional technical environment.
• Familiarity with project or program management principles (e.g., scheduling, risk management).
• Ability to manage multiple tasks and deadlines with guidance from senior management.
• Requires US Citizenship as the position requires the ability to obtain DoD Secret clearance.

IDEALLY, YOU’LL ALSO HAVE:

• Active DoD Secret Security Clearance
• Exposure to satellite communications, RF systems, space optics, or ground systems.
• Experience working with engineering teams or technical development projects.
• Experience working in an ITAR environment.

Travel:

Occasional visits to customer sites, meetings, and training as required by program. Infrequent domestic and international travel required

SALARY RANGE:

$115,000 to $135,000 annual salary, plus participation in individual performance bonus plan.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the role.