Program Manager I

Safran Defense & Space, Inc.; Parker (CO); On-site; USD 115,000 - 135,000; Full time

Job summary

Safran Defense & Space, Inc. in Parker, Colorado, seeks a Program Manager to lead assigned programs across cost, schedule, and technical performance.

You will coordinate engineering, supply chain, manufacturing, and quality to move programs from award through delivery, serving as the day-to-day contact for customers. This role is a stepping stone for engineers or technical professionals transitioning into program management, with mentorship from senior staff; occasional classified work and ITAR

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required in engineering, business, PM, or related field.
• 1+ years of program/project management experience.
• 5+ years in engineering, aerospace, telecom, or related technical field.
• Strong organizational and communication skills.
• Ability to work in cross-functional teams and manage multiple deadlines.
• Requires US Citizenship to obtain DoD Secret clearance.

Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain program plans and schedules for assigned programs; coordinate inputs from functional teams and upscale 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) 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.

Skills

Strong organizational skills

Strong communication skills

Cross-functional collaboration

Familiarity with project management

Task and deadline management

US Citizenship

Education

Bachelor's degree in engineering, business, PM, or related field

Job description

Safran DSI Business Unit: Space Solutions

Location: Parker, Colorado

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 upscale 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.