Senior Program Manager, Defense Robotics & Production

PDW; Huntsville (AL); On-site; USD 140,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical coverage (BCBS)

401(k) with company match

On-site gym

Paid time off (PTO)

Job summary

PDW seeks a senior leader to drive cross-functional development programs from concept to production readiness in Huntsville, Alabama. You will manage schedules, risks, and execution plans across hardware and software domains, ensuring on-time delivery for defense and public safety missions.

Ideal candidates have 8+ years of experience in engineering-heavy environments, with a track record across aerospace/defense, robotics, or autonomous systems, and the ability to obtain a U.S.

Qualifications

• 8+ years of experience leading complex product development programs in engineering-intensive environments.
• Proven track record managing multidisciplinary hardware and software development efforts from concept through TRL6.
• Background in aerospace, defense, robotics, autonomous systems, or other complex technical industries.
• Familiarity with prototype development, system integration, verification and validation, and transition-to-production processes.
• Must have the ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. Security Clearance.

Responsibilities

• Lead cross-functional development programs from concept through design, integration, verification, and readiness for production transition.
• Manage program schedules, risk registers, implementation plans, and action-item tracking to ensure disciplined execution.
• Lead recurring production reviews, change control boards, and cross-functional readiness assessments.
• Track and report key program metrics, including delivery performance, production readiness, change implementation status, schedule adherence, and risk mitigation progress.
• Escalate issues proactively and drive resolution of cross-functional challenges affecting production execution.
• Track progress against design reviews, integration milestones, prototype builds, test events, and validation activities to achieve production release.

Skills

Leadership

Program management

Hardware development

System integration

Aerospace/defense domain

Job description

PDW seeks a senior leader to drive cross-functional development programs from concept to production readiness in Huntsville, Alabama. You will manage schedules, risks, and execution plans across hardware and software domains, ensuring on-time delivery for defense and public safety missions.

Ideal candidates have 8+ years of experience in engineering-heavy environments, with a track record across aerospace/defense, robotics, or autonomous systems, and the ability to obtain a U.S.