Senior Defense Program Manager: Strategy & Delivery Lead

Frontdoor Defense; Seattle (WA); Hybrid; USD 130,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Equity compensation

Healthcare (medical, dental, vision)

Unlimited PTO

401k with company match

Parental leave

Job summary

Overland AI, headquartered in Seattle, WA, is seeking a Senior Program Manager to lead end-to-end delivery across multiple defense programs. You will align with engineering and product teams to ensure timely, on-budget outcomes and will interact with customers in externally facing meetings.

Roles involve developing charters, design reviews, project plans, and monthly financial forecasts; you will influence strategy and growth while partnering with customers and internal teams on a generational

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Computer Science, an Engineering discipline, or equivalent practical experience.
• 5 years of experience as a Program Manager.
• Ability to obtain a US government security clearance.

Responsibilities

• Own successful delivery of outcomes on multiple programs simultaneously.
• Establish and lead effective program governance (e.g., stakeholder communication, update rhythms, customer engagements, milestone management, program measurement).
• Ensure that programs are performed on time and on budget.
• Develop enduring relationships with external and internal program stakeholders; be the face of Overland AI in external meetings and onsite with customers.
• Coordinate and create documents in support of the program (e.g., charters, design reviews, project plans)
• Work cross-functionally with engineering teams to deliver technical content.
• Develop monthly program financial reports and forecast models.
• Influence the company's strategy and growth.
• Work cross-functionally to develop statements of work and support proposal development.
• Define and execute growth strategies for current and follow-on contracts.
• Support the product roadmap by being the voice of the customer and advocating for their needs and requirements.
• Align programmatic objectives with other company initiatives to maximize overall engineering contributions.

Education

Bachelor's degree in Business, Computer Science, an Engineering discipline, or equivalent practical experience.

Advanced degree in Business, Computer Science, or an Engineering discipline.

Job description

Senior Program Manager

Coordinate and deliver multiple customer-facing programs across engineering and product teams

Location: Seattle, Washington

Compensation: $130,000 - 180,000 USD / year

About The Role

Program Manager

Founded in 2022 and headquartered in Seattle, Washington, Overland AI is transforming land operations for modern defense. The company leverages over a decade of advanced research in robotics and machine learning, as well as a field-test forward ethos, to deliver combined capabilities for unit commanders. Our OverDrive autonomy stack enables ground vehicles to navigate and operate off-road in any terrain without GPS or direct operator control. Our intuitive OverWatch C2 interface provides commanders with precise coordination capabilities essential for mission success.

Overland AI has secured funding from prominent defense tech investors including 8VC and Point 72, and built trusted partnerships with DARPA, the U.S. Army, Marine Corps, and Special Operations Command. Backed by eight-figure contracts across the Department of Defense, we are strengthening national security by iterating closely with end users engaged in tactical operations.

Role Summary:

We're looking for an experienced, ambitious, detail-oriented professional to join our program management team. You will focus on enabling high-quality, effective delivery across existing and upcoming customer-facing programs. In this role, you will help define and execute strategic priorities related to program success and work across the entire team to ensure that company-level goals are achieved. You will work hand-in-hand with our engineering and product teams on a generational opportunity to build a critical capability, and the business to deliver it, during an urgent time.

What you'll do:

• Own successful delivery of outcomes on multiple programs simultaneously.
• Establish and lead effective program governance (e.g., stakeholder communication, update rhythms, customer engagements, milestone management, program measurement).
• Ensure that programs are performed on time and on budget.
• Develop enduring relationships with external and internal program stakeholders; be the face of Overland AI in external meetings and onsite with customers.
• Coordinate and create documents in support of the program (e.g., charters, design reviews, project plans)
• Work cross-functionally with engineering teams to deliver technical content.
• Develop monthly program financial reports and forecast models.
• Influence the company's strategy and growth.
• Work cross-functionally to develop statements of work and support proposal development.
• Define and execute growth strategies for current and follow-on contracts.
• Support the product roadmap by being the voice of the customer and advocating for their needs and requirements.
• Align programmatic objectives with other company initiatives to maximize overall engineering contributions.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Computer Science, an Engineering discipline, or equivalent practical experience.
• 5 years of experience as a Program Manager.
• Ability to obtain a US government security clearance.

Desired Experience & Qualifications:

• Advanced degree in Business, Computer Science, or an Engineering discipline.
• 5 years of operational US military experience.
• 2 years of experience fielding software or hardware products to real operating environments in deep-tech, defense, or high-growth start-up domains.
• Demonstrated ability to deliver successful outcomes on multiple projects simultaneously in a fast-paced operating environment.
• Demonstrated ability to structure ambiguous problems and take action to solve them.
• Effective communicator with demonstrated ability to collaborate and influence cross-functionally.
• Familiarity with large-scale DoD procurement programs and contract deliverables execution.
• Familiarity with software development lifecycles.
• Familiarity with ground autonomy systems.

Benefits :

• The salary range for this position is $130K to $180K annually.
• Equity compensation.
• Best-in-class healthcare, dental and vision plans.
• Unlimited PTO.
• 401k with company match.
• Parental leave.

Location:

This position is located in Seattle, WA. Some travel expected (25-30%).

Overland AI is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, marital status, disability, genetic information, protected veteran or military status, or any other status protected by applicable law. This position may involve access to export-controlled technology. Employment is contingent on the ability to comply with U.S. export control laws. Overland AI provides reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities and disabled veterans during the application process. Please contact [e-mail] to request an accommodation.