Senior Program Manager

Leonardo DRS; Melbourne (FL); Hybrid; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Dental coverage

Vision coverage

401(k) plan

Job summary

Leonardo DRS Land Electronics in Melbourne, FL is seeking a Senior Program Manager to lead engineering development programs for network computing, situational awareness, vehicle power management, and combat vehicle integration. You will own the integrated plan, align cross-functional teams, and ensure scope, cost, schedule, and risk visibility through lifecycle stages.

The role offers direct ownership of complex technical work, interaction with customers and senior leadership, and a path to

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in an engineering field or equivalent experience.
• Experience leading engineering development projects for integrated products.
• Proficiency in cost, schedule, technical performance, and risk management.
• Knowledge of program management tools, including requirements decomposition and contract reviews.
• Ability to lead cross-functional teams and communicate with senior leaders.

Responsibilities

• Lead engineering development programs from concept to production or deployment.
• Build and monitor the Integrated Program Baseline and schedule.
• Coordinate cross-functional teams across engineering, manufacturing, and supply chain.
• Manage requirements, reviews, and verification against contract needs.
• Oversee budgets, forecasts, and staffing; escalate issues early.
• Interface with customers and senior leadership to drive decisions.
• Coordinate with contracts and suppliers on changes and deliverables.

Skills

Cross-functional teams

Cost management

Requirements decomposition

Project planning

Engineering development

Education

Bachelor’s degree in engineering

Tools

Microsoft Project

Job description

Senior Program Manager

Location: Melbourne, FL, US, 32935

Job ID:115969

The Leonardo DRS Land Electronics business provides C4I Network computing and integrated situational awareness, as well as state-of-the-art embedded diagnostics, vehicle power management and combat vehicle integration products and services.

Business Unit: Land Electronics
Location: Melbourne, FL
Career Functional Area: Program Management
Telework Type: Hybrid
Type: Full-time Employee
Schedule: 9/80
Shift: 1st Shift

Our Mission

At Leonardo DRS Land Electronics, we build rugged, cutting-edge electronic systems that keep our warfighters connected, protected, and dominant on every battlefield. From advanced vehicle electronics and power management to tactical communications and sensor integration, our gear is engineered for the harshest environments – and the highest stakes. We move fast, innovate relentlessly, and deliver solutions that turn technology into tactical advantage. Join us and own the edge where innovation meets mission.

Job Summary

Reliable mission systems depend on development programs that stay aligned from concept through qualification. As a Senior Program Manager with Leonardo DRS Land Electronics, you will lead engineering development execution for products that support network computing, situational awareness, vehicle power management, and combat vehicle integration. You will own the integrated plan and program baseline, bring engineering and business partners together, and keep scope, cost, schedule, technical performance, and risk visible throughout the lifecycle. Working with customers and senior program leadership, you will turn emerging issues into clear decisions and guide teams through integration, verification, and transition to production or deployment. This role offers direct ownership of complex technical work and broad influence across the teams delivering it.

Essential Functions

• Lead engineering development programs from concept and design through hardware/software integration, verification, and transition to production or deployment; own scope, schedule, cost, and technical performance.
• Build the integrated project plan, lead the Integrated Program Baseline Review (IPBR), and monitor and control the baseline throughout the project lifecycle.
• Align systems, software, hardware, mechanical, electrical, test, manufacturing, quality, and supply chain teams around priorities, milestones, and deliverables; resolve cross-functional issues.
• Partner with Systems Engineering to manage requirements and the technical baseline; guide reviews, configuration control, change assessments, and verification against contractual needs.
• Manage budgets, forecasts, staffing and material plans; assess schedule and cost performance, elevate emerging issues, and implement corrective actions before commitments slip.
• Identify and manage risks and opportunities throughout execution; communicate program status and decisions to senior leadership and serve as a primary customer interface on contract execution.
• Coordinate with Contracts and suppliers on requirements, changes, subcontract deliverables, and compliance; support proposals and orderly program closeout as needed.

Required Qualifications

• 7+ years of project or program management experience, including leadership of engineering development projects for integrated product development.
• Bachelor’s degree in an engineering field, or an equivalent combination of education and experience in accordance with the job description.
• Experience with hardware/software integration and the product lifecycle from concept development through qualification, with the ability to lead technical teams through development and transition.
• Proficiency in cost, schedule, technical performance, and risk and opportunity management, including project planning, budget control, progress metrics, and corrective action.
• Knowledge of program management tools and procedures; experience with requirements decomposition, proposals, statements of work, subcontract coordination, and program reviews.
• Ability to lead cross-functional teams, address conflicts and complex problems, and communicate effectively with customers and senior leaders.
• Working knowledge of the engineering, contracts, finance, manufacturing, logistics, and supply chain interfaces needed to deliver aerospace or defense programs.

Preferred Qualifications

• Project or program management certification, such as PMI/PMP or DAU.
• Experience with Earned Value Management, including cost and schedule variance analysis and reporting.
• Experience using Microsoft Project.

Taking care of our people is a top priority at Leonardo DRS. We are proud to offer competitive salaries and comprehensive benefits, including medical, dental, and vision coverage, a company contribution to a health savings account, telemedicine, life and disability insurance, legal insurance, and a 401(k) savings plan. We champion wellness programs that focus on physical, emotional, and financial well-being. We develop our talent by offering programs and activities to support career-growth, professional development, and skill enhancement. And we understand there is more to life than work, and the importance of offering flexible work schedules with our 9/80 program, competitive vacation, health/emergency leave, paid parental leave, and community service hours.
*Some employees are eligible for limited benefits only

Leonardo DRS, Inc. and its subsidiaries provide equal opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibit discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.

Our Vision. To be the leading mid-tier defense technology company in the U.S.

Our Values. The Leonardo DRS culture is defined by our Core Values and Principles:

• Integrity
• Agility
• Excellence
• Customer Focus
• Community & Respect
• Innovation

We strive to uphold them in all aspects of our business practices to inspire our employees and provide outstanding support for our customers.