Program Manager, Mission Package Integration

Front Door Defense; San Diego, Northern (CA, KY); Hybrid; USD 120,000 - 170,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical Insurance

Dental and Vision Insurance

Time Off

Parental Leave

Competitive Salary

401(k) Match

Life and Disability Insurance

Pet Insurance

Free lunch and snacks

Job summary

Saronic Technologies seeks a Program Manager of Mission Package Integration to lead the development, integration, and delivery of mission packages onto ASV programs. You will bridge platforms with kits and payloads, coordinating across engineering, production, and product teams while engaging customer stakeholders.

The role emphasizes technical leadership, risk management, and readiness for on-water demonstrations and field trials, with travel up to 25% and security-clearance considerations.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Naval Architecture, or a related technical field.
• 5+ years of experience in technical program management, systems integration, or defense-related development programs.
• Strong understanding of mechanical, electrical, software, and autonomy integration principles.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to interface confidently with technical and non-technical audiences.

Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end technical execution for mission package integration on Saronic platforms, from design through field deployment and sustainment.
• Plan and oversee integration, testing, and on-water operations in coordination with Product, Engineering, and Production.
• Coordinate with Engineering to ensure scope, design intent, and technical priorities align with program goals.
• Maintain visibility into risks and enforce configuration management for vessels, payloads, and software versions.

Skills

Program management

Systems integration

Defense programs

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering/Naval Architecture

Job description

Program Manager, Mission Package Integration

Lead end-to-end mission package integration across ASV programs from design to delivery

Location: Arlington, Virginia New Orleans, Louisiana San Diego, California Austin, Texas

About The Role

Program Manager Of Mission Package Integration

Saronic Technologies is a leader in revolutionizing autonomy at sea, dedicated to developing state-of-the-art solutions that enhance maritime operations through autonomous and intelligent platforms.

Saronic Technologies is seeking a Program Manager of Mission Package Integration to lead the development, integration, and delivery of modules, kits, and mission packages onto Saronic's growing portfolio of Autonomous Surface Vessel (ASV) programs.

The Mission Package Integrations PM is a technical executor focusing on bridging Saronic platforms with both bespoke and commercial off the shelf kits, modules, and payloads. This role focuses on supporting existing customer contracts, strategizing new product lines, and driving organic growth through Saronic and customer-derived mission packages.

This role partners closely with the Saronic Growth, Programs and Strategic Partnerships organizations. This role is also expected to embed directly into programs, customer engagements, partnerships, or internal initiatives to provide support and technical expertise.

Responsibilities

Technical Execution Leadership

• Lead end-to-end technical execution for mission package integration on Saronic platforms, from design support through field deployment and sustainment.
• Support complex payload and package integrations on Saronic's 180ft Marauder, while also supporting Corsair and Mirage integration efforts.
• Translate high-level requirements into actionable steps for engineering and operations teams, driving disciplined technical execution in ambiguous environments.
• Maintain technical baselines across multiple mission packaged, ensuring traceability from design to delivery.
• Drive technical risk identification, mitigation, and resolution with cross-functional teams.
• Contribute to Engineering Change Boards (ECB) and other technical working groups at Saronic

Integration & Field Readiness

• Plan and oversee integration, testing, and on-water operations in coordination with Product, Engineering, and Production.
• Provide clear technical direction and coordination for cross-functional teams during field trials, demonstrations, and acceptance events.
• Ensure technical configurations are validated and approved before production and deployment.
• Capture and communicate lessons learned from test events and field operations into future iterations.

Cross Functional Coordination

• Work closely with engineering, software, forward deployed engineering, mission operations, and product teams to synchronize integration schedules and milestones.
• Coordinate with Engineering to ensure scope, design intent, and technical priorities are aligned with program goals.
• Interface with Production and Quality to ensure build configurations and acceptance criteria meet customer expectations.
• Support Program Managers with technical inputs for customer meetings, reporting, and deliverables.

Risk & Configuration Management

• Maintain visibility into technical, operational, and programmatic risks across assigned packages.
• Lead risk review meetings and maintain mitigation plans in collaboration with Program, Product, and Engineering leadership.
• Enforce disciplined configuration management for vessels, payloads, and software versions.
• Oversee technical documentation, ensuring completeness, traceability, and readiness for audits or delivery.

Customer & Stakeholder Engagement

• Serve as a dynamic point of contact for technical customer engagements, bridging operational needs with package capability.
• Participate in design reviews, field demos, and technical exchanges with customer stakeholders.
• Deliver concise technical updates and after action reports to leadership and customer audiences.
• Translate real-world customer feedback into actionable improvements for Product and Engineering.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Naval Architecture, or a related technical field.
• 5+ years of experience in technical program management, systems integration, or defense-related development programs.
• Demonstrated success leading cross-functional technical teams through the design, build, and integration lifecycle.
• Strong understanding of mechanical, electrical, software, and autonomy integration principles.
• Proven experience managing risk, configuration, and readiness for complex technical maritime systems.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to interface confidently with technical and non-technical audiences.
• Willingness to travel up to 25% of the time.
• Secret security clearance eligibility required, active preferred.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience managing or integrating unmanned defense, maritime, or robotic systems.
• Familiarity with naval readiness systems and logistics management systems.
• Experience building or supporting sustainment and training infrastructures for new technologies.
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, mission-driven environment with a strong growth mandate.

Physical Demands

• Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer
• Occasional standing and walking within the office
• Manual dexterity to operate a computer keyboard, mouse, and other office equipment
• Visual acuity to read screens, documents, and reports
• Occasional reaching, bending, or stooping to access file drawers, cabinets, or office supplies
• Lifting and carrying items up to 20 pounds occasionally (e.g., office supplies, packages)

Key Competencies

• Can connect component-level design decisions to overall system and mission performance.
• Can translate complex technical data into clear, actionable information for stakeholders.
• Leadership of high performing distributed technical teams.
• Ability to balance execution excellence with growth, team-building, and organizational scaling.
• Established track record of clear, consistent, and correct communications with peers, leaders, and external stakeholders.
• Comfort guiding customers through ambiguous or evolving requirements and shaping actionable solutions.

Benefits

Medical Insurance: Comprehensive health insurance plans covering a range of services

Saronic pays 100% of the premium for employees and 80% for dependents

Dental and Vision Insurance: Coverage for routine dental check-ups, orthodontics, and vision care

Saronic pays 100% of the premium under the basic plan for employees and 80% for dependents

Time Off: Generous PTO and Holidays

Parental Leave: Paid maternity and paternity leave to support new parents

Competitive Salary: Industry-standard salaries with opportunities for performance-based bonuses

Retirement Plan: 401(k) plan with company match

Stock Options: Equity options to give employees a stake in the company's success

Life and Disability Insurance: Basic life insurance and short- and long-term disability coverage

Pet Insurance: Discounted pet insurance options including 24/7 Telehealth helpline

Additional Perks: Free lunch benefit and unlimited free drinks and snacks in the office

Saronic CCAA Notice for Candidates and California Employees

If this role is based in the United States, it requires access to export-controlled information or items that require 'U.S. Person' status. As defined by U.S. law, individuals who are any one of the following are considered to be a 'U.S. Person': (1) U.S. citizens, (2) legal permanent residents (a.k.a. green card holders), and (3) certain protected classes of asylees and refugees, as defined in 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3). Saronic does not discriminate on the basis of race, sex, color, religion, age, national origin, marital status, disability, veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity or any other reason prohibited by law in provision of employment opportunities and benefits. We are also committed to providing reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities.