Staff Program Manager, Strategic Defense

Slope; Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; USD 166,000 - 220,000; Full time

Job summary

Anduril Industries is seeking a Program Manager to support delivery of complex software and hardware products, aligning with client needs and growth strategies in the defense sector. You'll collaborate with internal teams, external partners, and government stakeholders to deliver innovative solutions while maintaining a fast, high‑tempo pace and a Whatever It Takes mindset.

The role requires strong technical background, program management experience, and proficiency with Agile methods, risk

Qualifications

• Active U.S. Top Secret security clearance.
• 8+ years managing complex software programs or 5+ years in aerospace/defense consulting.
• Strong background in systems engineering, software/hardware integration.
• Proficient with Agile methodologies and tools.
• Excellent organizational, presentation, and communication skills.
• Willingness to travel.
• Strong financial and operational analysis skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead program roadmaps, timelines, and resource planning.
• Coordinate cross-functional teams across engineering, product, finance, and operations.
• Prepare updates, briefs, and reports for stakeholders.
• Improve processes to enhance program execution in defense context.

Skills

Top Secret clearance

Program management

Agile methodologies

Stakeholder management

Financial/operational analysis

Communication skills

Travel readiness

Tools

CI/CD pipelines

APIs

Middleware

System architectures

Job description

Anduril Industries is a defense technology company with a mission to transform U.S. and allied military capabilities with advanced technology. By bringing the expertise, technology, and business model of the 21st century’s most innovative companies to the defense industry, Anduril is changing how military systems are designed, built and sold. Anduril’s family of systems is powered by Lattice OS, an AI-powered operating system that turns thousands of data streams into a realtime, 3D command and control center. As the world enters an era of strategic competition, Anduril is committed to bringing cutting-edge autonomy, AI, computer vision, sensor fusion, and networking technology to the military in months, not years.

ABOUT THE TEAM

The Discovery team at Anduril is at the forefront of incubating and maturing high-potential, software-defined, AI-native offerings that meet the toughest, newest challenges across hardware, software, space, and cyber domains. We're the architects of mission autonomy and mesh networking, delivering scalable hardware solutions that meet some of the most urgent national security needs. By working hand-in-hand with elite teams in Perception, AI, Motion Planning, Hardware, Test Engineering, Space, Networking, and Vehicle hardware, we craft cutting-edge, end-to-end systems that redefine mission success.

ABOUT THE JOB

As a Program Manager at Anduril, you will support the delivery of complex software and hardware products, ensuring alignment with client needs and company growth strategies. This role requires a unique blend of technical expertise, program management experience, operational finance and planning knowledge, and an understanding of the defense sector. You will collaborate closely with internal teams, external partners, and government stakeholders to deliver innovative solutions that meet the needs of our customers and partners.

Above all, the PM must embody a "Whatever It Takes" mindset—executing tasks expediently, scalably, and pragmatically while keeping the mission at the forefront. You must be able to take initiative proactively, manage multiple competing priorities at once, interface professionally with internal and external stakeholders, and work at an exceptionally rapid and demanding pace.

WHAT YOU’LL DO

Stakeholder Management

• Manage relationships with key customers, partners, and government agencies, ensuring alignment with contractual obligations and stakeholder expectations.
• Prepare program updates, technical briefs, and performance reports for internal and external audiences.
• Maintain status reports, track action items, and ensure critical items are getting done. Engagement with internal leadership team.

Program Management and Operations

• Manage program roadmaps, timelines, and resources for successful delivery.
• Balance priorities across multiple products and programs in a dynamic environment.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Act as the deputy liaison between engineering, product management, finance and operations teams, as well as including external stakeholders and government entities.
• Align cross-functional teams on goals, dependencies, and deliverables.
• Foster effective communication and collaboration across distributed teams and locations.

Process Improvement

• Implement and refine processes to enhance program execution and efficiency.
• Adapt best practices in program management to the unique challenges of the defense sector.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Currently possesses and is able to maintain an active U.S. Top Secret security clearance.
• 8+ years managing complex technical software programs or 5 years in consulting for aerospace and defense.
• Strong technical background with familiarity in systems engineering, software development, and hardware/software integration.
• Proficiency with Agile methodologies and supporting tools.
• Exceptional organizational, presentation, and communication skills.
• Willingness to travel as needed.
• Strong financial and operational analysis.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Experience in startups or small organizations with multiple fast-moving, interdependent programs.
• Familiarity with a defense acquisition processes, compliance, and reporting requirements.
• Experience with developing and operating distributed systems, CI/CD pipelines, APIs, middleware, and modular system architectures.
• Proven ability to lead through influence and collaboration.
• Demonstrated success in a fast-paced, innovative environment.
• Knowledge of military systems and operational tactics.

US Salary Range

$166,000 — $220,000 USD

Benefits

At Anduril, we invest in our people. Our comprehensive, competitive benefits package (available at little to no cost to employees) ensures you’re supported in health, recovery, and whatever comes next. For more information, Explore Our Benefits.

Data Privacy

To view Anduril's candidate data privacy policy, please visit https://anduril.com/applicant-privacy-notice/.

By submitting your application, you consent to Anduril Industries using a third-party service provider to conduct pre-employment risk, integrity, and due diligence screening and assessing potential risks as part of your application process. This third-party service provider provides risk-intelligence services that may include analysis of sanctions and watchlists, adverse media, public-record information, and other lawful open-source or commercial data sources. This third-party service provider does not act as a consumer reporting agency. Use of this provider helps to ensure compliance with applicable laws and protect technology, intellectual property, and organizational security.