Strategic Aerospace Program Lead Balloons and Radar

NPAworldwide; Sioux Falls (SD); On-site; USD 160,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

NPAworldwide seeks an experienced Senior Technical Program Manager to lead Stratospheric Balloon and Radar programs from concept to delivery, coordinating with customers, engineering, contracts, supply chain, and business development.

The role requires 10+ years in technical programs, 4+ years leading teams, DoD/IC exposure, FAR/DFARS knowledge, and strong communication to balance cost, schedule, and performance.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of relevant experience, including 4+ years leading technical programs.
• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Business, or a related technical field; Master's preferred.
• Demonstrated experience leading complex engineering or systems-development programs.
• Strong systems engineering or technical background with ability to engage credibly with engineering teams.
• Experience working directly with U.S. Government customers, particularly DoD or Intelligence Community organizations.
• Working knowledge of FAR and DFARS.
• Understanding of the U.S. Government lifecycle: requirements development, RFPs, source selection, contracting, and program execution.
• Experience with program financial management, forecasting, and performance reporting.
• Strong customer-facing, communication, presentation, and relationship-building skills.
• Ability to balance technical, operational, financial, and customer priorities and make sound decisions in a complex environment.

Responsibilities

• Lead complex programs with responsibility for cost, schedule, technical performance, and customer satisfaction.
• Serve as the primary technical and program interface with customers and internal leadership.
• Shape customer requirements and technical approaches during concept, capture, proposal, and execution phases.
• Translate customer needs into clear technical and system-level requirements.
• Lead cross-functional teams spanning engineering, operations, contracts, supply chain, and business development.
• Guide product architecture, technical roadmaps, feature tradeoffs, and system integration decisions.
• Participate in design reviews and ensure solutions align with customer requirements and engineering best practices.
• Identify opportunities to expand existing programs, develop new applications, and grow customer relationships.
• Support business development, capture, and proposal efforts by providing technical and program expertise.
• Work closely with customers and partners to develop innovative solutions using company and partner technologies.
• Monitor program performance against cost and schedule baselines and drive corrective action when needed.
• Coordinate long-lead procurement and supply-chain activities to support program delivery.
• Ensure contractual requirements are understood, executed, and flowed down to suppliers and subcontractors.
• Develop and deliver program status reports, technical presentations, and other customer-facing deliverables.
• Mentor less-experienced program managers and help establish program management best practices.
• Represent the company at customer meetings, industry events, and technology forums.

Skills

Program management

Technical leadership

Customer engagement

Communication

Relationship-building

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering/Business or related field

Master's degree preferred

PMP certification

Job description

NPAworldwide seeks an experienced Senior Technical Program Manager to lead Stratospheric Balloon and Radar programs from concept to delivery, coordinating with customers, engineering, contracts, supply chain, and business development.

The role requires 10+ years in technical programs, 4+ years leading teams, DoD/IC exposure, FAR/DFARS knowledge, and strong communication to balance cost, schedule, and performance.