Sr. Program Manager - Missile Defense

trueanomalyinc; Long Beach (CA); On-site; USD 160,000 - 230,000; Full time

Job summary

True Anomaly in Long Beach, CA is seeking a Senior Program Manager to lead mission-critical missile defense programs from concept to execution while integrating cost, schedule, and technical baselines. You will work closely with the chief engineer and teams across systems engineering, mission operations, and program support to deliver transparent, agile solutions that align with our clients' goals.

The role requires strong risk management, stakeholder engagement, and a history of delivering

Qualifications

• Experience delivering a complex space vehicle or weapons system lifecycle.
• Proven ability to build customer relationships and lead cross-functional teams.
• Experience managing DoW/USSF contracts and large-scale programs ($50M+).
• Active Secret clearance with eligibility for Top Secret/SCI.
• Bachelor's Degree with 9+ years of experience; or graduate degree with 7+ years.

Responsibilities

• Manage complex situations, delegate authority, and lead and inspire your team.
• Create and own the program baseline (cost, schedule, technical) with the chief engineer.
• Develop deep customer relationships and align program goals with mission objectives.
• Lead cross-functional teams to integrate and execute missile defense missions.
• Direct program management, systems engineering, IT, mission operations, and contracts support.
• Set priorities and provide strategic direction to keep projects on time and within budget.
• Perform risk assessments and ensure rapid, transparent escalation as needed.
• Develop solutions to resolve program challenges including cost, schedule, and performance.
• Deliver bids and proposals, communicating value during reviews with customers.
• Oversee subcontractor activities and lead internal/external program reviews.

Skills

Space program leadership

Cross-functional collaboration

Customer relationship building

Risk management

Executive communication

Education

Bachelor's Degree

Graduate Degree

Job description

Space is a warfighting domain. True Anomaly seeks those with the talent and ambition to build the technology that secures it.

OUR MISSION

True Anomaly delivers decisive capabilities for space superiority. We build autonomous spacecraft, advanced payloads, mission software, and space-based interceptors - enabling the U.S. and its Allies to secure the space environment and counter threats from the ultimate high ground.

OUR VALUES

Be the offset. We create asymmetric advantages with creativity and ingenuity.

What would it take? We challenge assumptions to deliver ambitious results.

It's the people. Our team is our competitive advantage and we are better together.

YOUR MISSION

True Anomaly is seeking a Senior Program Manager who will serve as a trusted partner to our customers, guiding mission-critical missile defense programs from concept to execution while seamlessly integrating technical, schedule, and cost baselines. In this customer-centric leadership role, you will foster strategic relationships, ensuring that customer needs are at the heart of every decision as you lead cross-functional teams, direct program support functions, and oversee subcontractor performance. You will work closely with the chief engineer and teams across systems engineering, mission operations, and program support to provide transparent, agile solutions that directly support our clients' goals. Your proven expertise in risk management, stakeholder engagement, and program execution will be key to advancing our national security mission and delivering exceptional value in the missile defense domain.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Manage complex situations, delegate authority, lead and inspire your team, drive innovative thinking, instill collaboration, drive for success, challenge status quo, and demonstrate the ability to adapt to dynamic situations
• Create, implement, and own the coordinated program baseline (cost, schedule, technical) with the chief engineer
• Serve as a liaison, with other customer facing team members, between our company and our customers-developing deep relationships to understand their needs and align our program goals with their mission objectives.
• Lead cross-functional teams to successfully integrate and execute missile defense missions as well as deliver tailored products and services that meet and exceed customer expectations.
• Direct the responsibilities and activities of the program team including program management, systems engineering, communications and IT, mission operations, facilities management, security, safety, and contracts/financial/supply chain support functions
• Provide strategic direction and setting priorities that reflect customer goals while managing day-to-day issues to keep projects on time and within budget.
• Perform risk and issue assessments with a focus on minimizing customer impact, ensuring rapid resolution and transparent escalation when needed.
• Develop innovative solutions to resolve difficult program challenges including cost, schedule, and technical performance
• Deliver compelling presentations and lead preparations of bids, proposals, studies, and deliverables, effectively communicating our value proposition during customer reviews and engagements.
• Oversee and manage subcontractor activities to ensure all external contributions meet the high-quality standards our customers expect
• Develop and lead internal and external program management reviews

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Demonstrated experience delivering a complex space vehicle or weapons system through the entire engineering life cycle-from initial concept and design through integration, testing, and final deployment.
• A proven track record in building strong customer relationships through effective team building, conflict resolution, and communication-both internally and externally.
• Experience managing Department of War (DoW) or U.S. Space Force (USSF) contracts, especially those that require close coordination with the customer program office.
• Demonstrated experience managing large-scale, high-value contracts (typically $50M+), with deep expertise in the research and development phase including budget oversight, risk management, and milestone-driven execution.
• Hands‑on experience managing risk and overseeing cost, schedule, and technical baselines in aerospace, engineering, or software development programs, all with a clear focus on delivering customer value.
• Strong analytical background with the evaluation of requests for proposals and/or quotes.
• Experience working within a cross-functional, geographically dispersed team environment to meet contractual commitments and create outstanding customer experiences.
• Active Secret and eligibility to obtain Top Secret/SCI Security Clearance
• Bachelor's Degree and a minimum of 9 years of prior relevant experience; Or, Graduate Degree and a minimum of 7 years of prior related experience; Or, in lieu of a degree, a minimum of 13 years of prior related experience

PREFERRED QUALIF