Senior Hardware Program Manager, UAS

FW ACQUISITION INC; Torrance (CA); On-site; USD 133,000 - 199,000; Full time

Job summary

FW Acquisition Inc. in Torrance, CA, is seeking a Senior Technical Program Manager to lead complex hardware development programs for UAS products.

You will drive cross-functional execution across engineering, product, manufacturing, supply chain, and operations from concept through production ramp. The role demands 7+ years of leadership in technical programs, strong program-management discipline, and proven ability to influence without direct authority.

Qualifications

• Bachelors in Aerospace, Electrical, or Systems Engineering (or related technical fields).
• 7+ years of experience leading complex engineering or technical programs as a Technical Program Manager, IPT Lead, Systems Engineering Lead, or equivalent cross-functional leadership role.
• Excellent communication, technical fluency, and program tracking instincts.
• Proven ability to lead and influence without direct management authority.
• Strong attention to detail and experience coordinating across engineering, product, and operations teams.
• Experience with project scheduling (gantt) tools, preferably Smartsheet.
• Familiarity with modern project management/kanban applications (Jira, Trello, Linear, Notion, etc)

Responsibilities

• Lead the full lifecycle of new product programs — from early concept and architecture through design, validation, and production ramp.
• Work alongside the Product team to review PRDs (Product Requirements Documents), Development Build Plans and ensure alignment across technical and business teams to drive execution.
• Build and drive detailed engineering program plans, including schedules, resource allocation, and risk mitigation strategies.
• Develop detailed gantt charts and leverage agile tools (scrum, kanban, etc) to drive planning and execution.
• Facilitate cross-functional peer reviews and lead/own design reviews (PDR/CDR/MRR) to ensure timely execution across mechanical, electrical, firmware, software, and manufacturing teams.
• Identify and manage interdependencies between engineering disciplines, supply chain, and external partners.
• Act as the primary point of contact for program status, tradeoffs, and decision-making — escalating risks and unblocking teams as needed.
• Manage the end-to-end product lifecycle including requirements, architecture, implementation, integration, verification, and release.
• Own program-level visibility across multiple concurrent workstreams, ensuring critical-path activities, dependencies, risks, and decisions are actively managed to deliver program commitments.
• Facilitate technical trade studies and decision-making across the aisle when there is conflict between performance, cost, schedule, or requirements.
• Drive DFMEA activities with engineering/technical ICs to ensure manufacturing feedback supports iterative product development.
• Evangelize the PDP process and strategically accelerate R&D/waterfall hardware development processes and delivery methodologies to ensure we accomplish our program goals.
• Other duties as assigned.

Education

Bachelor's degree in Aerospace, Electrical, or Systems Engineering

Tools

Smartsheet

Jira

Trello

Linear

Notion

Job description

FW Acquisition Inc. in Torrance, CA, is seeking a Senior Technical Program Manager to lead complex hardware development programs for UAS products.

You will drive cross-functional execution across engineering, product, manufacturing, supply chain, and operations from concept through production ramp. The role demands 7+ years of leadership in technical programs, strong program-management discipline, and proven ability to influence without direct authority.