Weapon Systems Program Director

Kratos Defense & Rocket Support Services, Inc; Huntsville (AL); On-site; USD 150,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Kratos Defense in Huntsville, AL, seeks a Program Management Director to lead a portfolio of weapon system programs, overseeing development, integration, test, and production; you will serve as primary liaison with DoD and industry partners.

The ideal candidate has 12+ years in aerospace/defense program management, proven leadership of dispersed teams, strong financial acumen, and experience in contract negotiations and customer engagement; U.S. citizen with active DoD clearance preferred.

Qualifications

• BS/BA degree in engineering, science, or related technical discipline.
• 12+ years in aerospace or defense program management, including at least 7 years leading complex programs.
• Leadership of geographically dispersed and cross-functional teams.
• Experience developing, managing, and analyzing budgets for complex defense programs.
• Experience participating in contract negotiations and senior-level customer engagement.
• Strong analytical skills and understanding of program management processes and financial metrics.
• Must be a U.S. Citizen.
• Must hold an active DoD Secret Clearance (or ability to obtain one).

Responsibilities

• Lead a portfolio of complex weapon system programs, including development, integration, test, and production activities.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for customer communication, coordination, and negotiations across multiple DoD and industry stakeholders.
• Develop and manage comprehensive program plans, including schedules, milestones, contract WBS, resource allocations, and execution strategies.
• Oversee program performance across cost, schedule, technical readiness, risk, and customer satisfaction.
• Build, lead, mentor, and scale a program management team responsible for key weapon system efforts.
• Conduct strategic and technical reviews with customers, senior leadership, and internal stakeholders.
• Drive cross-functional alignment across engineering, operations, supply chain, finance, and business development.
• Participate in proposal development, cost estimating, and contract modification negotiations.
• Provide strategic insights to the Vice President of Weapons Systems on customer engagement, technology roadmaps, and competitive positioning.
• Identify and manage program risks and opportunities across platforms, technologies, suppliers, and manufacturing sites.
• Exercise sound judgment, foster collaboration, and maintain a high level of team motivation and accountability.
• Support long-term customer relationships and help shape future program opportunities within the weapon systems domain.

Skills

Leadership

Budget management

Contract negotiations

Customer engagement

Analytical skills

Program management

Education

BS/BA in engineering or science

Job description

Kratos is a leading technology, products, systems, and software company addressing critical national security missions. We deliver innovative, affordable, and highly reliable solutions to support the warfighter and meet emerging requirements across the defense landscape. Within the Weapons Systems portfolio, we design, develop, and deliver advanced weapon technologies that support both current and future operational needs.

We are seeking a Program Management Director to provide leadership, customer engagement, and oversight across a portfolio of weapon system programs. This role is accountable for program execution of key strategic efforts, direct customer communication, coordination, and contract negotiations; and building and leading a high?performing team of program support personnel. The Program Management Director serves as a senior advisor and operational partner to the Vice President of Weapons Systems, ensuring alignment between program execution, customer priorities, and company strategy.

The ideal candidate brings deep experience in defense program management, exceptional communication skills, proven leadership of cross?functional and geographically dispersed teams, and strong financial and business acumen.

Essential Responsibilities:

• Lead a portfolio of complex weapon system programs, including development, integration, test, and production activities
• Serve as the primary point of contact for customer communication, coordination, and negotiations across multiple DoD and industry stakeholders
• Develop and manage comprehensive program plans, including schedules, milestones, contract WBS, resource allocations, and execution strategies
• Oversee program performance across cost, schedule, technical readiness, risk, and customer satisfaction
• Build, lead, mentor, and scale a program management team responsible for key weapon system efforts
• Conduct strategic and technical reviews with customers, senior leadership, and internal stakeholders
• Drive cross?functional alignment across engineering, operations, supply chain, finance, and business development
• Participate in proposal development, cost estimating, and contract modification negotiations
• Provide strategic insights to the Vice President of Weapons Systems on customer engagement, technology roadmaps, and competitive positioning
• Identify and manage program risks and opportunities across platforms, technologies, suppliers, and manufacturing sites
• Exercise sound judgment, foster collaboration, and maintain a high level of team motivation and accountability
• Support long?term customer relationships and help shape future program opportunities within the weapon systems domain

Keyword: DoD, Weapons Systems

Required Qualifications:

• BS/BA degree in engineering, science, or a related technical discipline
• Minimum 12 years of experience in aerospace or defense program management, including at least 7 years leading complex programs
• Demonstrated leadership of geographically dispersed and cross?functional teams
• Experience developing, managing, and analyzing budgets for complex defense programs
• Experience participating in contract negotiations and customer engagement at senior levels
• Strong analytical skills and full understanding of program management processes and financial metrics
• Must be a U.S. Citizen
• Must hold an active DoD Secret Clearance (or the ability to obtain one)

Desired Qualifications:

• Direct program management experience on a large (>$100M), complex defense program with full responsibility for financial performance
• Experience managing missile, launch vehicle, or other weapon system programs
• Experience overseeing integration, test, or production activities within a weapons systems environment
• Program Management Professional (PMP) certification or equivalent
• Experience partnering with government program offices, PEOs, or Service acquisition organizations

From: Kratos Defense