SENIOR PROGRAM MANAGER (Aerospace & Defense)

Marvin Engineering Company; Los Angeles (CA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

Marvin Engineering Company (MEC) is seeking a highly experienced Senior Program Manager to lead our Launch Systems PMO on the Department of Defense programs. The role focuses on large, complex contracts with strict budget and schedule performance, including EVM oversight.

We require a seasoned leader with cross-functional experience across sales, contracts, supply chain, and engineering. This onsite position offers exposure to major prime partners and executives, with travel as needed.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree and 10+ years of program management experience.

Responsibilities

• Manage largest, most complex contracts and program portfolios with budget and P&L accountability; Earned Value Management (EVM) proficiency required.
• Review, negotiate, and approve high-value contracts, purchase orders, and amendments.
• Lead proposals and quotes for major pursuits including pricing strategy and lead-time assessments.
• Collaborate across sales, contracts, supply chain, production planning, operations, and engineering to ensure on-time delivery.
• Build and maintain executive-level relationships with internal stakeholders and external customers.
• Prepare and lead program updates and financial metrics for reviews at executive/PMO/board levels.
• Mentor and guide Program Managers and Deputy PMs; share best practices.
• Represent the PMO in executive/customer forums and make decisions when the Director is unavailable.
• Travel to customer sites, trade shows, or conferences as required.
• Ensure compliance with MEC policies and procedures.

Skills

Leadership presence

Cross-functional leadership

Program management

Reading engineering drawings

English proficiency

PMP certification

ITAR compliance understanding

Education

Bachelor's degree in a relevant discipline

MBA (preferred)

Tools

SAP

MS Office

MS Project

Job description

Date: Jul 31, 2026

Location: Inglewood, CA, US, 90302

Company: Marvin Engineering Co.

Req ID: 1618

FLSA Status: Exempt

Pay Range: $120,000 - $160,000

Salary Is Based On Experience, Skills, And Education

This position is 100% onsite

The Marvin Group is a Strategic Partner for Global Alternate Mission Equipment and Sustainment. Marvin Group, a leading defense contractor, plays a crucial role in the development and manufacturing of various systems for military aerospace and vehicles. Based in Southern California near the Los Angeles International Airport, The Marvin Group consists of Marvin Engineering (MEC), Marvin Test Solutions (MTS) and Marvin Land Systems (MLS). Marvin Engineering designs and produces military Alternate Mission Equipment. Marvin Test Solutions designs and manufactures armament Test Equipment. Marvin Land Systems specializes in the design and build of power and thermal management systems. For over 60 years we have maintained A Tradition of Excellence, serving as a trusted source for our unwavering commitment to supporting all branches of the Department of Defense and our global allies. Our collaboration extends across a diverse array of programs and platforms, including major military prime contractors such as Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman, and Raytheon.

Senior Program Manager, Launch Systems PMO

Marvin Engineering Company (MEC), a long-standing defense contractor supporting all branches of the U.S. Department of Defense and allied nations, is seeking a highly experienced Senior Program Manager to lead our largest and most complex contracts within the Launch Systems PMO. For more than 60 years, MEC has partnered with major prime contractors including Lockheed Martin, Raytheon, Boeing, SAAB, and KAI on a wide range of aerospace and defense platforms. The Senior Program Manager may be called upon to support the Senior Director leading the PMO and to act on the Director’s behalf when the Director is unavailable.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Manage all aspects of the organization’s largest and most complex contracts and program portfolios, including budget oversight, profit and loss accountability, reporting, and product line responsibilities. Demonstrated proficiency with Earned Value Management (EVM) is required.
• Review, negotiate, and approve contracts, purchase orders, and contract amendments, including high-value and strategically significant agreements.
• Lead proposal and quoting activities for major pursuits, including pricing strategy, lead-time assessments, and competitive positioning.
• Collaborate across functional groups- sales development, contracts, supply chain, production planning, operations, machining, quality, and engineering to ensure on-time product delivery.
• Build and maintain executive-level relationships with internal stakeholders and external customers, serving as a senior point of contact for key accounts.
• Prepare and lead program updates and financial metrics for executive, PMO, board, and customer reviews.
• Mentor and provide guidance to Program Managers and Deputy Program Managers, sharing best practices and supporting their professional development.
• Support the Senior Director leading the PMO and act on the Director’s behalf when the Director is unavailable, including representing the PMO in executive and customer forums and making program decisions within delegated authority.
• Travel to customer sites, trade shows, or conferences as required.
• Execute all duties in compliance with MEC policies and procedures.

SKILLS / REQUIREMENTS

• Bachelor's degree in a relevant discipline (Master's or MBA preferred), plus 10+ years of directly applicable program management experience, including managing large, complex, or high-value contracts; equivalent combinations of education and experience will be considered.
• U.S. Citizenship is required, along with the ability to meet federal government access requirements for controlled unclassified information.
• Experience in the military, defense, or aerospace fields—particularly involving U.S. fighter, bomber, or helicopter platforms, or defense weapon systems is highly desirable.
• Proven ability to develop and integrate strategies, goals, and objectives at the portfolio level; extensive experience leading cross-functional programs, resources, and teams.
• Demonstrated leadership presence and sound judgment, with the ability to make program decisions under delegated authority and represent the PMO in the absence of the Senior Director.
• Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings and technical manuals.
• SAP experience highly desired; proficiency in MS Office (Excel, Project, Word, PowerPoint, Outlook) required.
• Professional certifications (e.g., PMP, Supply Chain Management, Project Management, Program Management, Purchasing Management, Production & Inventory Control) are strongly preferred.
• Ability to multitask and work effectively in a fast-paced environment managing a portfolio of multiple high-priority programs.
• Must be able to read, write, and speak English.
• Must meet ITAR requirements as a "U.S. person" (U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident, political asylee, or refugee).

This position must meet export control compliance requirements. All applicants must be "U.S. persons" within the meaning of ITAR, as defined: a U.S. Citizen, a lawful permanent resident, political asylee, or refugee.

The Marvin Group is an EEO/Disability/Vets Employer.

Our company uses E-Verify to confirm the employment eligibility of all newly hired employees. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, please visit www.dhs.gov/E-Verify.

If you are an individual with a disability and require a reasonable accommodation to complete any part of the application process, or are limited in the ability or unable to access or use this online application process and need an alternative method for applying, you may contact People & Culture at 310.674.5030.

Nearest Major Market: Los Angeles