Senior Program Manager

Areté; Niwot (CO); On-site; USD 180,000 - 245,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flextime scheduling

Bereavement

Paid Time Off (PTO)

Company-funded 5% 401(k) contribution

Company-funded 5% stock ownership plan

Continuing Education Assistance

Medical Insurance

Life Insurance and LTD

Vision Reimbursement

Job summary

Areté seeks a Senior Program Manager to lead a portfolio of cutting-edge defense technology programs in Niwot, CO. You will oversee solid-state laser and lidar/ladar initiatives, ensure strategic delivery, and maintain strong government/customer relationships.

Ideal candidates bring 20+ years in defense or electro-optics, exceptional communication, and FAR/DFAR contracting experience to drive program success and ensure mission alignment.

Qualifications

• 20+ years of experience in defense or advanced electro-optics leading complex development efforts.
• Demonstrated leadership in advanced solid-state laser development.
• Experience in lidar/ladar system development preferred but not required.
• Exceptional customer engagement and communication skills.
• Strong ability to shape customer expectations and build confidence in technical teams.
• Experience with FAR/DFAR-based contracting.
• Advanced degree in Physics, Optical/Mechanical/Electrical Engineering or related field.

Responsibilities

• Lead a portfolio of advanced technology development programs, ensuring unified strategy, resource alignment, and consistent delivery outcomes.
• Provide leadership, guidance, and oversight to Program Managers responsible for individual laser or lidar/ladar programs.
• Oversee development of advanced solid-state laser systems for defense applications.
• Guide lidar/ladar sensing technology programs as part of the broader portfolio.
• Serve as the primary customer point of contact for all programs within the portfolio.
• Build strong, transparent relationships with government and DoD prime customers.
• Set clear expectations, communicate program status confidently, and maintain customer trust.
• Manage execution within FAR/DFAR environments, including reporting and compliance.
• Lead proposal development, capture strategies, and negotiations for laser and sensing programs.
• Foster a high-performance, results-based culture emphasizing ownership, integrity, and transparency.

Skills

Leadership

Customer engagement

Strategic program management

Advanced solid-state laser development

FAR/DFAR contracting

Education

Advanced degree in Physics, Optical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or related field

Job description

If you are unable to complete this application due to a disability, contact this employer to ask for an accommodation or an alternative application process.

Senior Program Manager

Full Time Niwot, CO, US

3 days ago Requisition ID: 1468

Salary Range: $180,000.00 To $245,000.00 Annually

At Areté, we are at the forefront of developing innovative solutions, with great minds from all backgrounds, tohelp solve the nation’s most complex security challenges. We strive for an inclusive, collaborative team environment that approaches differences as opportunities for innovation and excellence. As an employee-owned company, we foster an atmosphere that propels diverse career opportunities and professional growth.

Discover your future with us.

We are seeking an accomplished Senior Program Manager (SPM) with deep expertise in advanced solid-state laser development and broad experience in complex electro-optical technologies. This leader will oversee a portfolio of high-priority development programs, including multiple solid-state laser initiatives and lidar/ladar sensing efforts aligned to critical defense and security applications. The ideal candidate is a strong communicator capable of building customer trust, shaping expectations, and representing the technical and execution capabilities of our teams.

KeyResponsibilities

• Lead a portfolio of advanced technology development programs, ensuring unified strategy, resource alignment, and consistent delivery outcomes.
• Provide leadership, guidance, and oversight to Program Managers responsible for individual laser or lidar/ladar programs.
• Oversee development of advanced solid-state laser systems for defense applications.
• Guide lidar/ladar sensing technology programs as part of the broader portfolio.
• Serve as the primary customer point of contact for all programs within the portfolio.
• Build strong, transparent relationships with government and DoD prime customers.
• Set clear expectations, communicate program status confidently, and maintain customer trust.
• Manage execution within FAR/DFAR environments, including reporting and compliance.
• Lead proposal development, capture strategies, and negotiations for laser and sensing programs.
• Foster a high-performance, results-based culture emphasizing ownership, integrity, and transparency.

Wehaveanimpressiverangeofbenefits,programs,andperksthatwe offer:

Generous PTO and Leave Times

• FlextimeScheduling
• Bereavement
• PaidTimeOff(PTO)
• Company-funded 5% contribution to your 401(k) retirement plan
• Company-funded 5% contribution to your Employee Stock Ownership Plan
• Continuing Education Assistance

Health, Medical, and Wellness Benefits

• MedicalInsurance
• Life Insurance and Long-Term Disability (LTD)
• VisionReimbursement

What We Value:

• Creativity and innovation in solving challenges
• Integrity and responsibility in all actions
• Collaboration across teams and specialties
• Responsiveness in fast-paced environments
• Passion for national security and excellence

Experiences and Background We Look For (Required Skills):

• 20+ years of experience in defense or advanced electro-optics industries leading complex development efforts.
• Demonstrated leadership in advanced solid-state laser development.
• Experience in lidar/ladar system development preferred but not required.
• Exceptional customer engagement and communication skills.
• Strong ability to shape customer expectations and build confidence in technical teams.
• Experience with FAR/DFAR-based contracting.
• Advanced degree in Physics, Optical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or related field.

Nice to Have (Preferred Skills):

• Leadership of military laser development programs.
• Experience with advanced optical subsystems, photonics, or precision sensing architectures.
• Development of supply chains for specialized optical, photonic, or laser components.
• Experience shaping technology roadmaps and aligning them to customer mission needs.

The salary range for this role is $180,000 to $245,000/yr; however, Arete considers several factors when extending an offer of employment, including but not limited to: the position and associated responsibilities, a candidate’s work experience, education/training, and key skills.

Other Considerations

Areté is committed to the principles of equal employment opportunity and nondiscrimination, and we believe every person has the right to be treated with fairness, dignity, and equal consideration.

Areté is an Equal Opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender identity, marital status, national origin, age, veteran status, disability, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.

U.S. citizenship is required to meet position eligibility.

Successful passage of a criminal background screen is required to meet position eligibility.

Selected applicants will be subject to a government security investigation and must meet eligibility requirements for access to classified information.

Areté will consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with the requirements of the Los Angeles Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring.

Successful passage of a Department of Transportation (DOT) drug test is required to meet position eligibility.

If you are a qualified individual with a disability or a disabled veteran, you have the right to request an accommodation if you are unable or limited in your ability to use or access our website because of your disability. To request an accommodation, please contact Areté Human Resources at 818-885-2200 for assistance.