Senior Program Manager, Student Prototyping & DoD Innovation

Tatitlek Corporation; Mountain View (CA); On-site; USD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

Tatitlek Corporation is seeking a Senior Program Manager to lead the IWA Student Prototyping program for the Defense Innovation Unit. You translate strategic objectives into executable plans, coordinate government, academic, industry and contractor stakeholders, and guide activities from problem discovery through prototyping to transition.

You will oversee budgets, schedules, risk management, and performance metrics, serve as the primary program leader and ambassador, and ensure outcomes align

Qualifications

• 20+ years of experience in program management, program operations, strategic initiatives, or related roles in complex, multi-stakeholder environments.
• Master's degree in Business Administration, Program Management, Public Administration, or Engineering.
• Project Management Professional (PMP) certification.
• Demonstrated ability to lead programs from planning through execution, including managing priorities, milestones, deliverables, risks, dependencies, and outcomes.
• Strong ability to translate strategic direction into executable plans, bring structure to ambiguity, and adapt programs as priorities and needs evolve.
• Experience working with or within higher education institutions is highly valued, ...

Responsibilities

• Lead the planning, execution, monitoring, and continuous improvement of assigned IWA student prototyping program(s) and initiatives.
• Translate government direction and program objectives into executable plans, milestones, deliverables, and operating rhythms.
• Ensure successful delivery of program requirements, milestones, deliverables, and outcomes.
• Communicate program status, achievements, risks, and recommendations to leadership and stakeholders.
• Establish, track, and report key performance indicators (KPIs) and program metrics to measure effectiveness and impact.
• Identify and implement process improvements that enhance operational efficiency, participant experience, and program outcomes.
• Ensure responsible stewardship of program funding while maintaining compliance with contractual, organizational, and regulatory requirements.
• Coordinate across IWA programs and cross-cutting functions to ensure effective intake and handoffs and integrated execution.
• Prepare executive-level briefings, recommendations, decision materials, and program reporting for government leadership.
• Develop and maintain program documentation, operating procedures, and performance records.
• Occasional travel to support program activities and stakeholder engagements may be required.

Skills

Program management

Stakeholder engagement

Executive communication

Leadership

Education

MBA

Public Administration

Engineering

Job description

Tatitlek Corporation is seeking a Senior Program Manager to lead the IWA Student Prototyping program for the Defense Innovation Unit. You translate strategic objectives into executable plans, coordinate government, academic, industry and contractor stakeholders, and guide activities from problem discovery through prototyping to transition.

You will oversee budgets, schedules, risk management, and performance metrics, serve as the primary program leader and ambassador, and ensure outcomes align