Senior Defense TPM: Software, C2 & Autonomy

Swarmaero; Oxnard (CA); Hybrid; USD 190,000 - 250,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Equity

Health benefits

401k

PTO & sick leave

Wellness stipend

Office lunch

Parental leave

Impactful mission

Top team

Job summary

Swarm Aero in Oxnard, CA seeks a Program Manager to lead a software-heavy defense program. You will own the program plan, cadence, and integrated schedule, translating customer requirements into a backlog and managing scope against cost and schedule.

You will coordinate software integration with aircraft, partner hardware, and government systems, drive DevSecOps deliverables, and lead milestone reviews with customers and leadership. A strong background in software and DoD programs is essential.

Qualifications

• 6+ years in program or technical program management for DoD or government customers.
• Fluency in agile delivery and mapping to milestone-based defense contracts.
• Software engineering background or depth to follow architecture and estimates.
• Experience delivering software that integrates with hardware: autonomy, C2, mission systems, avionics, or similar.
• Hands-on with schedule and backlog tools and with budget tracking.
• Clear, direct communicator who can brief engineer and program officer in the same afternoon.
• U.S. person status as defined by ITAR, and ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. security clearance.

Responsibilities

• Own the program plan and integrated schedule linked to milestones and demos.
• Translate customer requirements into a backlog and manage scope vs cost.
• Run cadence: release planning, reviews, risk boards, and monthly status.
• Manage budget and burn across engineering teams with a recovery plan.
• Coordinate software integration with aircraft, hardware, and government systems.
• Drive software delivery and accreditation with DevSecOps (documentation, ATO requirements).
• Lead customer-facing milestone reviews and contract deliverables.
• Partner with the Director of PMO to tailor program practices for software teams.

Skills

Program management

Agile delivery

Software integration

DoD programs

Budget tracking

Stakeholder communication

Schedule management

Tools

Jira

Smartsheet

MS Project

Job description

Swarm Aero in Oxnard, CA seeks a Program Manager to lead a software-heavy defense program. You will own the program plan, cadence, and integrated schedule, translating customer requirements into a backlog and managing scope against cost and schedule.

You will coordinate software integration with aircraft, partner hardware, and government systems, drive DevSecOps deliverables, and lead milestone reviews with customers and leadership. A strong background in software and DoD programs is essential.