Program Manager i Defense

Kratos Unmanned Systems; Auburn Hills (MI); On-site; USD 120,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Kratos Defense in Auburn Hills, MI, seeks a Program Manager to drive end-to-end execution of assigned customer programs, coordinating Engineering, Operations, Quality, Supply Chain, and Finance to meet cost, schedule, and technical commitments. This role serves as the single accountable owner for program execution and risk management within PMO governance.

Responsibilities include IMS scheduling, change control, customer interface, and status reporting, with a focus on cross-functional

Qualifications

• Strong program and project management experience in complex, cross-functional environments.
• Ability to coordinate across engineering, operations, quality, supply chain, and finance.
• Proven ability to manage ITAR and export-controlled information.
• Excellent communication, leadership, and decision-making skills.

Responsibilities

• Own execution of assigned programs from contract award through delivery and closeout.
• Serve as the primary accountability for scope, schedule, cost, and technical execution.
• Translate customer requirements into executable program plans.
• Develop and maintain Integrated Master Schedules (IMS) aligned with PMO standards.
• Lead cross-functional coordination across Engineering, Operations, Quality, Supply Chain, and Finance.
• Provide accurate program status and reporting in PMO cadence.

Skills

Program management

Cross-functional coordination

Schedule management

ITAR compliance

Risk management

Leadership

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Business, Operations

Master's degree in Engineering or Program Management

Job description

GENERAL JOB SUMMARY:

The Program Manager is responsible for the end-to-end execution of assigned customer programs, ensuring cost, schedule, technical, and quality commitments are met in alignment with contractual requirements and internal operating discipline. This role serves as the single accountable owner for program execution, coordinating Engineering, Operations, Quality, Supply Chain, and Finance to deliver predictable outcomes.

Reporting to the Lead PMO, the Program Manager operates within the established PMO governance model and execution cadence, ensuring transparency, disciplined risk management, and timely escalation when performance deviates from plan.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

Program Execution & Ownership

• Own execution of assigned programs from contract award through delivery and closeout
• Serve as the primary point of accountability for scope, schedule, cost, and technical execution
• Translate customer requirements and contractual obligations into executable program plans
• Ensure all program commitments are clearly defined, tracked, and delivered

Schedule, Scope & Change Control

• Develop and maintain Integrated Master Schedules (IMS) aligned with PMO standards
• Ensure schedule logic, dependencies, and milestones are accurate and executable
• Own program-level scope control and change management
• Assess and communicate impacts of scope, schedule, and engineering changes

Cross-Functional Integration

• Lead cross-functional coordination across Engineering, Operations, Quality, Supply Chain, and Finance
• Ensure engineering maturity, manufacturing readiness, and quality compliance align to program milestones
• Resolve execution conflicts and constraints impacting delivery
• Reinforce clear ownership and accountability across functional teams

Risk Management & Issue Resolution

• Identify, assess, and manage program risks and issues
• Develop and execute mitigation and recovery plans
• Escalate risks and issues in accordance with PMO governance
• Ensure corrective actions are clearly owned, tracked, and closed

Financial & Cost Management

• Partner with the Cost Analyst to manage program cost, margin, and financial risk
• Track Estimate-at-Completion (EAC), forecasts, and cost performance
• Ensure financial impacts of program decisions and changes are visible and governed
• Support trade studies and decision-making involving cost, schedule, and scope

Customer Interface & Communication

• Serve as the primary customer interface for assigned programs
• Lead customer reviews, milestone meetings, and status reporting
• Ensure clear, accurate, and professional communication with customers
• Protect TDI credibility by managing commitments and expectations

Reporting, Metrics & Operating Rhythm

• Provide accurate program status, metrics, and reporting in accordance with PMO cadence
• Support Weekly Program Reviews, Monthly Operating Reviews (MORs), and executive updates
• Ensure program data is accurate, current, and aligned across systems
• Maintain transparency of program health to leadership

Compliance & Governance

• Ensure program execution complies with AS9100D, contractual requirements, and internal procedures
• Support audits, customer reviews, and compliance activities
• Ensure adherence to ITAR, export controls, and data-handling requirements
• Reinforce disciplined execution aligned to PMO standards

Supervisory Responsibility

• No direct people management responsibility unless otherwise assigned
• Leads cross-functional teams through influence and accountability
• Coordinates Program Analysts and functional contributors as part of program execution

Keyword: Program management, cross-functional leadership, schedule control, risk management, cost oversight, customer interface, aerospace/defense, compliance, IMS, change control, execution discipline

Required Experience

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES

Required

Strong program and project management experience in complex, cross-functional environments

• Ability to integrate engineering, operations, quality, supply chain, and finance considerations
• Strong understanding of schedule management, risk management, and execution discipline
• Excellent communication, leadership, and decision-making skills
• Ability to manage confidential and export-controlled information (ITAR)

Preferred

• Experience in aerospace, defense, or regulated manufacturing environments
• Familiarity with EVMS, APQP, or structured program lifecycle frameworks
• PMP or equivalent certification

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

Required

• Bacheloris degree in Engineering, Business, Operations, or related discipline
• 8+ years of experience in program or project management
• Demonstrated experience leading programs with cost, schedule, and technical complexity

Preferred

• Masteris degree in Engineering, Business, or Program Management
• Experience supporting government or defense customers

WORK ENVIRONMENT / PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• Office and manufacturing environments
• May require extended hours during critical program milestones or recovery efforts
• Occasional travel to customer or supplier sites may be required

TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS

• 0i25% as required to support programs, customers, or supplier engagements

THE ABOVE STATEMENTS ARE INTENDED TO DESCRIBE THE GENERAL NATURE AND LEVEL OF WORK BEING PERFORMED BY INDIVIDUALSiASSIGNED TO THIS CLASSIFICATION. THEY ARE NOT INTENDED TO BE CONSTRUED AS AN EXHAUSTIVE LIST OF ALL RESPONSIBILITIES, DUTIES AND SKILLS REQUIRED OF PERSONNEL SO CLASSIFIED.

A REVIEW OF THIS CLASSIFICATION HAS EXCLUDED THE MARGINAL FUNCTIONS OF THE CLASSIFICATION THAT AREiINCIDENTAL TO THE PERFORMANCE OF FUNDAMENTAL JOB JUTIES. ALL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES ARE ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS AND REQUIREMENTS AND ARE SUBJECT TO POSSIBLE MODIFICATION TO REASONABLY ACCOMMODATE INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES TO PERFORM THIS JOB PROFICIENTLY.i THE REQUIREMENTS LISTED IN THIS DOCUMENT ARE THE MINIMUM LEVELS OF KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS OR ABILITIES.

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From: Kratos Defense