Senior Program Manager, IRAD & Proposals - Hybrid

Leonardo DRS; Goleta (CA); Hybrid; USD 134,000 - 181,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

401(k) plan

Paid time off

Tuition reimbursement

Life insurance

Flexible work schedule

Job summary

Leonardo DRS seeks a Senior Program Manager to lead and execute IRAD initiatives from concept through transition into a program of record at its Goleta, CA site with an option for in-person or hybrid work. You will coordinate across IPTs, Business Development, and Finance to deliver cost, schedule, and technical performance while maintaining strong customer relations.

The role requires 7+ years in technical development, experience with SOWs, risk management, EVM, and cross-functional program

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent combination of education and experience; Engineering degree preferred.
• 7+ years relevant experience in technical/advanced development environments.
• Experience leading full program lifecycle including proposals, SOWs, subcontract management, and risk management.
• Experience decomposing requirements and creating system/subsystem SOWs and technical specs.
• Ability to manage aerospace/defense programs as prime or subcontractor.
• Strong leadership, communication, and analytical skills.
• Ability to work across finance, contracts, engineering, and supply chain to execute programs.

Responsibilities

• Serve as Proposal Manager for R&D proposals, ensuring RFP compliance.
• Support capture and proposal strategies with Business Development.
• Ensure IRAD solutions are executable and aligned with customer needs.
• Lead cross-functional IPT coordination and stakeholder engagement.
• Manage budgets for labor, materials, travel, and services and report status.
• Develop and monitor integrated milestone schedules and CAPEX projects.
• Conduct schedule and cost variance analyses with corrective actions.
• Represent the organization at program reviews and customer engagements.

Skills

Leadership

Strategic planning

Communications

Proposal development

Risk management

Stakeholder management

Education

Engineering degree preferred

Tools

Earned Value Management (EVM)

Cost accounting

Job description

Leonardo DRS seeks a Senior Program Manager to lead and execute IRAD initiatives from concept through transition into a program of record at its Goleta, CA site with an option for in-person or hybrid work. You will coordinate across IPTs, Business Development, and Finance to deliver cost, schedule, and technical performance while maintaining strong customer relations.

The role requires 7+ years in technical development, experience with SOWs, risk management, EVM, and cross-functional program