Senior Program Manager SOCOM

edgeautonomy-careers; United States; Remote; USD 160,000 - 209,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Matching 401(k)

Paid PTO

Paid holidays

Medical, vision, and dental insurance

Group Short-Term & Long-Term Discount

HSA and FSA Options

Employee Stock Purchase Plan

Job summary

Redwire Defense Tech is seeking a Senior Program Manager to lead UAV and mission system programs for SOCOM, providing strategic oversight across development, production, testing, fielding, and sustainment. The role drives cost, schedule, technical execution, and operational readiness, acting as a trusted advisor to SOCOM HQ and component commands.

The candidate will coordinate with security and admin teams for compliance in classified environments, manage field support activities, and travel to

Qualifications

• 10+ years of Program or Project Management experience, or equivalent leadership roles such as IPT Lead, New Product Team Lead, or Systems Engineering Lead.
• 5+ years of experience working with USSOCOM or Component Commands/Units.
• Background in Defense, Government contracting, and Aerospace, with preference for UAV market experience.
• Experience with design-for-manufacturing principles and transitioning systems from development into production.
• Hands-on experience with gated design development processes, including PDR and CDR.
• Prior private-industry experience (preferred).
• Demonstrated strength in customer engagement, support, and relationship management.

Responsibilities

• Shape and lead program strategy, long-range planning, execution, and performance for assigned SOCOM programs and related mission portfolios, ensuring alignment with SOCOM priorities and operational needs.
• Provide senior-level leadership to cross-functional teams, setting priorities and ensuring coordinated execution across engineering, manufacturing, logistics, sustainment, and support functions throughout all program phases.
• Serve as the primary point of contact with SOCOM program offices and operators, maintaining strong relationships and ensuring consistent communication.
• Oversee field issue resolution, coordinating engineering and global support resources for troubleshooting, repairs, airworthiness actions, and urgent operational requests.
• Oversee and approve corrective action strategies, reliability improvements, and system readiness decisions that impact operational performance.
• Monitor schedule performance, milestones, and deliverables using formal project management tools, ensuring adherence to master plans and contractual requirements.
• Own the program risk posture, leading mitigation planning, escalation decisions, and multi‑team coordination to ensure proactive risk management.

Skills

Jira

Confluence

Odoo

Microsoft Office

IMS (Integrated Master Schedule)

Earned Value concepts

Education

Bachelor’s degree or higher in business, engineering, or technical discipline

Tools

Jira

Confluence

Odoo

Microsoft Office

Job description

WORK LOCATION

Remote

FLSA STATUS

Exempt

SALARY RANGE

The anticipated salary range for this role is $159,700 to $209,000 annually. This range reflects a good faith estimate based on the targeted level for the role and typical compensation benchmarks across U.S. locations. Actual compensation may vary depending on the selected candidate’s qualifications, experience, geographical location, and internal alignment.

SUMMARY

The Senior Program Manager for SOCOM programs provides senior‑level leadership, strategic oversight, and authoritative decision‑making across complex UAV and mission system programs. This role shapes program strategy, influences SOCOM stakeholders, and ensures multi‑phase success spanning development, production, testing, fielding, and sustainment. The Senior PM drives performance across cost, schedule, technical execution, and operational readiness, serving as a trusted advisor to SOCOM headquarters and component commands.

RESPONSIBILITIES

The following job functions are a basic requirement but are not limited to and may be assigned other duties.

• Shape and lead program strategy, long‑range planning, execution, and performance for assigned SOCOM programs and related mission portfolios, ensuring alignment with SOCOM priorities and operational needs.
• Provide senior‑level leadership to cross‑functional teams, setting priorities and ensuring coordinated execution across engineering, manufacturing, logistics, sustainment, and support functions throughout all program phases.
• Serve as the primary point of contact with SOCOM program offices and operators, maintaining strong relationships and ensuring consistent communication.
• Oversee field issue resolution, coordinating engineering and global support resources for troubleshooting, repairs, airworthiness actions, and urgent operational requests.
• Oversee and approve corrective action strategies, reliability improvements, and system readiness decisions that impact operational performance.
• Monitor schedule performance, milestones, and deliverables using formal project management tools, ensuring adherence to master plans and contractual requirements.
• Own the program risk posture, leading mitigation planning, escalation decisions, and multi‑team coordination to ensure proactive risk management.
• Participate in configuration management processes, including CCB and ECO activities, ensuring alignment between engineering, manufacturing, and product support.
• Manage program financials—including budgets, forecasts, EACs, and P&L accountability—and hold teams responsible for financial performance.
• Support proposal activities such as RFP interpretation, BOE development, and coordination with pricing, engineering, and supply chain teams.
• Coordinate and support training events, demonstrations, test activities, and operational integration with SOCOM units and field teams.
• Collaborate with security and administrative teams to maintain compliance across classified and controlled environments
• Travel as required to customer sites, test ranges, production facilities, and operational locations as needed.
• Perform additional responsibilities as assigned to support mission success.
• Assumes all other responsibilities as assigned

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• 10+ years of Program or Project Management experience, or equivalent leadership roles such as IPT Lead, New Product Team Lead, or Systems Engineering Lead.
• Bachelor’s degree or higher in business, engineering, or technical discipline
• 5+ years of experience working with USSOCOM or Component Commands/Units.
• Background in Defense, Government contracting, and Aerospace, with preference for experience in the UAV market.
• Experience with design‑for‑manufacturing principles and transitioning systems from development into production.
• Hands‑on experience with gated design development processes, including PDR and CDR.
• Prior private‑industry experience (preferred).
• Demonstrated strength in customer engagement, support, and relationship management.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• PMP/PMP certified or in progress (Preferred)

SKILLS AND COMPETENCIES

• Strong interpersonal, communication, and presentation skills, especially with senior military stakeholders.
• Demonstrated ability to lead through influence, collaboration, and cross‑functional coordination.
• Proven analytical, strategic, and problem‑solving abilities.
• Working knowledge of UAV systems, mission payloads, and associated technologies.
• Strong self‑direction and initiative, able to operate effectively with limited supervision in fast‑paced environments.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities, deadlines, and dynamic operational demands.
• Proficiency with Jira, Confluence, ODOO, Microsoft Office Suite, and standard project management tools.
• Experience developing and maintaining Integrated Master Schedules (IMS).
• Competence in risk management, issue tracking, and mitigation planning.
• Effective relationship‑building skills with internal teams, suppliers, and SOCOM customer organizations.
• Understanding of configuration management principles and engineering change processes.
• Ability to interpret technical decisions and convey program impacts clearly to customers and leadership.
• Familiarity with Earned Value concepts, EAC, and basic financial tracking.
• Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and documentation quality.
• Adaptability and composure in responding to urgent or rapidly evolving customer needs.

REDWIRE DEFENSE TECH BENEFITS

• Matching 401(k)
• Paid PTO
• Paid holidays
• Medical, vision, and dental insurance
• Group Short-Term & Long-Term Disability
• HSA and FSA Options
• Critical Care Plan
• Accident Care Plan
• Employee Stock Purchase Plan

CLEARANCE REQUIREMENTS

This position may require access to information that is subject to compliance with the International Traffic Arms Regulations (“ITAR”) and/or the Export Administration Regulations (“EAR”). To comply with the requirements of the ITAR and/or the EAR, applicants will be asked to provide specific documentation to verify a US person’s status under the ITAR and the EAR.

WORK ENVIRONMENT AND PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

The work environment may involve a standard office setting while also incorporating elements of a production area. Employees will use standard office equipment, including computers, and must demonstrate stamina to sit or stand while maintaining attention to detail despite potential interruptions. The role may require occasional activities such as walking, climbing, stooping, crouching, and bending. Vision is necessary for reading printed materials and a computer screen, while hearing and speech are essential for effective communication both in person and over the telephone. Additionally, the position may necessitate travel by air or automobile. Employees may be required to use personal protective equipment, including safety glasses, safety shoes, and shop coats, to ensure safety in the production environment. Employees may be able to lift up to 30 pounds as needed.

REDWIRE DEFENSE TECH IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran status, or genetic information. Redwire Defense Tech is committed to providing access, equal opportunity and reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities in employment, its services, programs, and activities. To request reasonable accommodation, contact Human Resources. Continued employment remains on an “At‑Will” basis.