Senior Program Manager i DoD Systems Development

Kratos Defense & Rocket Support Services, Inc; Birmingham (AL); On-site; USD 140,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

Kratos Defense is seeking a Senior Program Manager to lead an active DoD systems development effort within the Weapons and Defense Solutions Group. You will manage all programmatic, technical, contractual, and financial aspects of a large multi-million-dollar program, coordinating with DoD stakeholders and subcontractors.

The role requires overseeing lifecycle phases from requirements to production readiness, leading internal teams and supplier networks, and reporting to DoD customers on

Qualifications

• U.S. Citizenship is required.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a DoD SECRET clearance.
• Minimum 12 years of experience in project/program management.
• Direct experience managing programs with DoD customers or U.S. Army R&D orgs.
• Experience managing DoD OTA contracts (CPFF and FFP).
• Strong financial management skills including earned value management (EVM).

Responsibilities

• Lead an early-phase DoD systems development program in progress, aligning with technical, schedule, cost, and contract objectives.
• Manage all lifecycle phases from requirements refinement to production sustainment planning.
• Direct internal engineering teams and oversee subcontractors and suppliers; coordinate across IPTs.
• Serve as the primary interface with DoD customers, delivering technical, financial, and schedule reports.
• Monitor risks, opportunities, and evolving capability needs; drive corrective actions and strategic planning.
• Support proposal development with requirements analysis, technical content, and cost estimates.

Skills

Program management

Earned Value Management (EVM)

DoD acquisition processes

Contract management

Education

Bachelor's or Master’s degree in engineering, physics, or related management studies

Tools

PMP certification

Job description

Company Overview:

Kratos Defense & Security Solutions develops and fields transformative systems and technologies that address the United States most critical national security challenges. Within the Weapons and Defense Solutions Group, Kratos designs and delivers advanced systems supporting next-generation weapon platforms, high-performance flight systems, and complex defense technologies. Our teams work at the intersection of rapid innovation, disciplined engineering, and mission-driven execution. We partner closely with U.S. Government customers to accelerate capability delivery and strengthen warfighter readiness.

Position Summary:

Kratos is seeking a highly qualified Senior Program Manager to lead an active, early-phase DoD systems development effort within the Weapons and Defense Solutions Group. This role manages all programmatic, technical, contractual, and financial aspects of a large multi-million-dollar DoD program, ensuring disciplined execution throughout the development lifecycle. The selected PM will assume leadership of an underway program, drive performance across integrated teams, and maintain strong communication with internal leadership, subcontractors, and DoD stakeholders.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead execution of an early-phase DoD systems development program already in progress, ensuring alignment with technical, schedule, cost, and contractual objectives.
• Manage all lifecycle phases including requirements refinement, detailed design, integration, ground test, flight test, transition to production, and sustainment planning.
• Direct internal engineering teams and oversee subcontractors and key suppliers; ensure coordinated performance across integrated product teams (IPTs).
• Serve as the primary program interface with DoD customers, delivering regular technical, financial, and schedule reports.
• Monitor technical maturity, risks, opportunities, and evolving capability needs; drive corrective actions and strategic planning as required.
• Support proposal development including requirements analysis, technical content, cost estimates, and customer-facing documentation.
• Coordinate with senior leadership on program status, resource needs, and strategic decisions.
• Ensure compliance with DoD processes, contractual obligations, and internal Kratos program management standards.
• Experience overseeing low-rate and full-rate production of complex defense hardware, including coordination across manufacturing, quality, supply chain, and government stakeholders.
• Experience leading Production Readiness Reviews (PRRs), Manufacturing Readiness Assessments (MRAs), First Article Testing (FAT), and quality assurance processes.
• Demonstrated ability to manage aggressive production schedules and mitigate manufacturing risks.

Production & Manufacturing Leadership:

• Experience overseeing low-rate and full-rate production of complex defense hardware, including coordination across manufacturing, quality, supply chain, and government stakeholders.
• Experience leading Production Readiness Reviews (PRRs), Manufacturing Readiness Assessments (MRAs), First Article Testing (FAT), and quality assurance processes.
• Demonstrated ability to manage aggressive production schedules and mitigate manufacturing risks.

Keyword: DoD, Weapons Systems

Required Experience:

• U.S. Citizenship.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a DoD SECRET security clearance.
• Minimum 12 years of experience in project/program management.
• Direct experience successfully managing programs with TAGM, DEVCOM, C5ISR, or other U.S. Army R&D organizations.
• Demonstrated ability to manage DoD OTA contracts (CPFF and FFP).
• Familiarity with DoD acquisition processes, requirements flow-down, and configuration management.
• Strong financial management skills, including earned value management (EVM).
• Experience managing programs involving advanced manufacturing, hardware development, and integration of complex sensors.
• Demonstrated ability to manage aggressive schedules and mitigate technical risks for hardware development and manufacturing contracts.
• Experience coordinating development and test activities across contractor facilities and government ranges/labs.

Preferred:

• Bacheloris or Masteris degree in engineering, physics, or related management studies.
• Formal project management certification (e.g., PMP).
• Experience with missile or weapons system development programs.
• Experience with Technology Readiness Level (TRL) progression toward production readiness.
• Understanding of Diminishing Manufacturing Sources (DMS)/obsolescence management, including sustaining engineering and component lifecycle analysis.

iWork Location & Travel:

• Primary work location: Birmingham, Alabama.
• Regular travel required to customer sites, subcontractor facilities, and test locations.

From: Kratos Defense