Senior Defense Program Manager – Classified Comm Systems

Collins Aerospace; Largo (FL); On-site; USD 132,000 - 252,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Tuition reimbursement

Job summary

Collins Aerospace seeks a Senior Program Manager to lead complex, classified communications systems programs for critical national defense missions. You will own multiple contracts across hardware, software, production, and sustainment, guiding multidisciplinary teams and maintaining disciplined cost, schedule, and technical performance.

This onsite role in Largo, FL requires close collaboration with Engineering, Operations, and Contracts to meet ambitious customer commitments.

Qualifications

• Typically requires a University Degree and minimum 7–10 years of relevant experience or an Advanced Degree in a related field with minimum 7 years of experience
• The ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. government issued security clearance is required
• U.S. citizenship is required, as only U.S. citizens are eligible for a security clearance
• Minimum of 7 years’ experience leading hardware and software development programs within the aerospace, defense, or government contracting environment
• Demonstrated experience managing the execution of programs using Agile methodologies
• Demonstrated experience delivering programs using Earned Value Management processes compliant with the EIA 748 EVMS Standard

Responsibilities

• Lead the execution of multiple complex, classified communication systems programs, ensuring successful delivery against contractual commitments, technical requirements, cost, and schedule objectives
• Provide overall program leadership and accountability across hardware and software development, production, and sustainment activities, aligning execution with customer expectations and business priorities
• Lead multidisciplinary Program Management Teams (PMTs), partnering with Engineering, Operations, Supply Chain, Finance, Contracts, and other functional organizations to coordinate resources, resolve challenges, and deliver program objectives
• Establish and maintain program baselines, performance metrics, and execution controls, including Earned Value Management (EVM), Estimates at Completion (EACs), and cost and schedule performance tracking
• Identify, assess, and manage program risks, opportunities, and technical challenges, developing mitigation strategies and driving timely resolution of issues that could affect program performance
• Serve as the primary customer interface throughout the program lifecycle, managing customer communications, addressing escalations, and maintaining alignment on technical performance, deliverables, and contractual expectations
• Lead program planning and execution reviews, communicating performance, financial status, risks, and recovery strategies to business leadership and key stakeholders
• Partner with Engineering leadership to align technical resources, staffing, and program priorities with execution requirements and financial commitments
• Manage contract scope, configuration changes, and customer-directed modifications, ensuring disciplined change control and alignment with contractual requirements
• Lead the development of technical and cost proposals for contract modifications, follow-on work, and new business opportunities, coordinating inputs across engineering and functional teams
• Support and lead contract negotiations within established business authority, balancing customer requirements, program objectives, and financial considerations
• Ensure program execution complies with applicable government contracting requirements, export controls, cybersecurity standards, and internal program management processes

Skills

Program leadership

Agile methodologies

Earned Value Management

Risk management

Education

University degree in related field

Advanced degree

Tools

Earned Value Management (EVM)

Job description

Collins Aerospace seeks a Senior Program Manager to lead complex, classified communications systems programs for critical national defense missions. You will own multiple contracts across hardware, software, production, and sustainment, guiding multidisciplinary teams and maintaining disciplined cost, schedule, and technical performance.

This onsite role in Largo, FL requires close collaboration with Engineering, Operations, and Contracts to meet ambitious customer commitments.