Senior Principal Program Manager – Optics & Defense

Attalon, Inc.; Richmond (CA); On-site; USD 123,000 - 221,000; Full time

Job summary

Attalon, Inc. in Richmond, California, seeks a Sr. Principal Program Manager to lead complex aerospace hardware programs from contract award through engineering, manufacturing, qualification, and delivery.

Own lifecycle execution, manage scope, schedule, cost, risk, and customer satisfaction while coordinating across engineering, operations, supply chain, quality, finance and business development. Requirements include 12+ years in aerospace/defense program management (or 10+ with advanced

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Applied Science, or related technical discipline.
• 10+–12+ years of program management in aerospace, defense, optics, or complex hardware (or 10+ with advanced degree).
• Direct experience with aerospace, commercial, or government customers.
• Proven cross-functional leadership in a matrixed environment.
• U.S. Citizenship is required due to program requirements.

Responsibilities

• Lead program execution from sales handoff through delivery.
• Serve as the primary customer interface for technical and schedule updates.
• Maintain integrated schedules, execution plans, and cross‑functional alignment.
• Own program financials: revenue, cost, margin, forecasting, and corrective actions.
• Identify and mitigate technical, schedule, supply chain, and financial risks.
• Drive cross‑functional performance in a matrixed environment.
• Manage scope and contract changes.
• Deliver required program documentation and reporting.
• Resolve technical and quality issues with internal teams and customers.
• Support proposals, vendor evaluations, feasibility reviews, and follow‑on opportunities.
• Ensure compliance with ISO, regulatory, and export‑control requirements.

Skills

Cross-functional leadership

Technical fluency

Program management

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Applied Science, or related technical discipline

Master’s degree in Engineering, Systems Engineering, or Business

Tools

Wrike

Job description

Attalon, Inc. in Richmond, California, seeks a Sr. Principal Program Manager to lead complex aerospace hardware programs from contract award through engineering, manufacturing, qualification, and delivery.

Own lifecycle execution, manage scope, schedule, cost, risk, and customer satisfaction while coordinating across engineering, operations, supply chain, quality, finance and business development. Requirements include 12+ years in aerospace/defense program management (or 10+ with advanced