Technical Program Manager

Robinson Unmanned; Wilmington (MA); On-site; USD 110,500 - 149,500; Full time

Job summary

Robinson Unmanned in Wilmington, MA is seeking a Technical Program Manager to lead the delivery of our next‑generation coaxial UAS platforms. You will align cross‑functional teams across engineering, product, and operations to keep programs on track from concept through fielding.

Reporting to the VP of Technology, this high‑impact role requires risk management, test planning, and close collaboration with customers and partners, with some domestic and international travel.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering and 7+ years PM experience
• PMP certification or equivalent formal program management training
• Experience with Jira or MS Project and DoD acquisition processes
• Deep UAS/aerospace domain expertise and cross-functional leadership
• Experience coordinating hardware/software programs from concept to fielding

Responsibilities

• Define, scope, and plan programs and projects with cost and schedule estimates
• Monitor progress and communicate status to stakeholders
• Liaise between internal teams and external partners
• Identify and mitigate risks early
• Track milestones and dependencies and ensure commitments

Skills

Program management

Cross-functional leadership

Agile development

Communication

Problem solving

Flight test support

Education

Bachelor's degree in engineering

Tools

Jira

MS Project

Job description

Robinson Unmanned (formerly Ascent AeroSystems) is one of the most exciting companies in the unmanned aerial system (UAS) industry, and our unique coaxial platforms provide the reliable and efficient foundation necessary to operate drones at scale. Robinson Unmanned designs and manufactures rugged “coaxial” UAS for the industrial, public safety and defense markets. Robinson Unmanned supports frontline soldiers, first responders, and industrial professionals with the rugged and versatile unmanned aerial systems they need to complete critical missions when it matters most. Robinson Unmanned is founded on core principles of an innovative, determined, fearless, curious, and committed culture that fosters invention, problem solving and teamwork. Robinson Unmanned offers the ability to work at the leading edge of aerospace technology while benefitting from the experience and resources of one of the most respected names in aviation.

About the Role

We are growing fast, and we’re looking for motivated, highly organized people to join our team. As you consider your next career move… You’ll thrive here if you… Are the person others turn to because they know they can count on you, doggedly persistent in moving goals forward to completion, are relentlessly curious and eager to continuously learn, can dare greatly, fail quickly, learn fast, and keep moving, persevere and double down when things get difficult, and want to be part of something bigger than yourself. If this describes you, please read on! Among the current openings, we’re on the lookout for a Technical Program Manager to lead delivery of our next generation of coaxial UAS platforms. This is a high-impact role at the intersection of engineering, product, and operations. You will serve as the connective tissue that keeps complex programs on track — aligning cross-functional teams, managing risk, and ensuring that what we promise gets built and delivered. Reporting to the company’s VP of Technology, this is a newly created, full-time position based in our Wilmington, Massachusetts headquarters. Some domestic and international travel will be required.

Responsibilities

Program & Project Management

• Define, scope, and plan programs and projects with realistic and achievable cost and schedule estimates
• Develop and maintain workflows to monitor progress and proactively communicate status to stakeholders
• Serve as the liaison between internal teams (engineering, ops, product) and external partners
• Identify and mitigate risks before they become program-threatening issues
• Track milestones, manage dependencies, and hold teams accountable to commitments

Requirements Definition

• Partner with customers and the product team to define CONOPS and high-level system requirements for new platforms and applications
• Represent the engineering team in requirements discussions, ensuring technical feasibility and clarity
• Translate customer needs into actionable, traceable engineering requirements
• Maintain requirements traceability throughout the program lifecycle
• Develop test plans and acceptance criteria aligned with aerospace standards and best practices
• Drive a culture of quality — keep teams honest and accountable for deliverable quality
• Build and refine processes to continuously raise the bar on system verification and validation
• Support flight test operations and ensure test data is captured and acted upon rigorously

Collaboration & Cross-Functional Leadership

• Collaborate across engineering, operations, business development, and leadership to align teams and drive outcomes
• Support flight test events, marketing demonstrations, and customer-facing activities
• Champion improved processes and engineering practices across the organization
• Lead product transitions from engineering development into production and field operations
• Act as a culture carrier: model urgency, accountability, and continuous improvement

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, with 7+ years of work experience in program and project management.
• PMP certification or equivalent formal program management training
• Experience using project management tools such as Jira, MS Project, or equivalent
• Deep UAS domain expertise, preferably including FPV systems and One Way Attack (OWA) platforms
• Proven ability to lead, influence, and coordinate cross-functional teams without direct authority
• Experience with agile/iterative development methodologies in hardware/software programs
• Strong working knowledge of aerospace testing standards and verification & validation processes
• Experience managing multi-disciplinary UAS or aerospace hardware programs from concept through fielding
• Experience with DoD acquisition processes, CDRL management, and government program offices
• Familiarity with MBSE (Model-Based Systems Engineering) tools and practices
• Background in coaxial or rotary-wing UAV systems design or operations
• Demonstrated experience supporting or leading military/defense customer demonstrations and evaluations

Required Skills

• Core Competencies
• Resourceful Problem-Solver: You thrive in ambiguous, fast-moving environments. You leverage technical expertise and creative thinking to overcome obstacles and continuously seek out new knowledge to enhance performance.
• Proactive Innovator: You identify opportunities for improvement and drive processes forward with minimal supervision. You think strategically and execute tactically.
• Exceptional Communicator: You are clear, concise, and credible with engineers, executives, and customers alike. Written and verbal communication is a genuine strength.
• Accountability-Driven: You set high standards for yourself and others. You build trust by delivering on commitments and holding your teams to the same standard.
• Mission-Oriented: You understand the operational significance of the products you’re building. You bring urgency and purpose to your work.

Pay range and compensation package

This position is expected to include a base salary starting @ $130k.

Equal Opportunity Statement

Robinson Unmanned is committed to diversity and inclusivity.