Senior Technical Program Manager

Senior Technical Program Manager

This Senior Technical Program Manager role leads complex aerospace and defense development programs from proposal and contract award through production and delivery. The position blends strong business acumen with a solid engineering foundation and requires a leader who can engage credibly with engineering teams, understand technical risks, and drive successful program execution. The Senior Technical Program Manager serves as the primary customer interface while ensuring programs meet cost, schedule, performance, quality, and contractual objectives. This role collaborates closely with Engineering, Manufacturing, Supply Chain, Contracts, Finance, Quality, and Business Development to deliver highly visible defense and aerospace programs.

Responsibilities

• Lead the execution of multiple technical programs and projects throughout the entire program lifecycle, from proposal and kickoff through closeout.
• Own overall program performance, including cost, schedule, technical execution, quality, and customer satisfaction.
• Lead Integrated Product Teams (IPTs) and cross-functional teams, ensuring alignment on goals, priorities, and deliverables.
• Develop and maintain detailed program schedules, execution plans, staffing plans, and resource forecasts.
• Drive accountability across Engineering, Manufacturing, Supply Chain, Operations, and other supporting functions to ensure timely and high-quality delivery.
• Partner closely with Engineering leadership to oversee development programs involving complex hardware, systems, and integrated products.
• Understand and manage technical requirements, program dependencies, risks, and engineering challenges throughout the development lifecycle.
• Support requirements decomposition, development of statements of work, subcontract management activities, and technical reviews.
• Influence technical decision-making while balancing customer expectations, schedule commitments, and business objectives.
• Serve as the primary customer point of contact for all program execution activities.
• Lead customer meetings, technical reviews, program reviews, and executive status updates to ensure transparency and alignment.
• Develop strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders to support successful program outcomes.
• Manage contractual deliverables and coordinate issue resolution across functional teams.
• Proactively identify, assess, communicate, and mitigate program risks across technical, cost, schedule, and resource dimensions.
• Lead recovery plans when technical, cost, schedule, or resource challenges arise, ensuring timely corrective actions.
• Implement corrective action plans and drive execution through closure, maintaining focus on program objectives.
• Escalate issues appropriately while maintaining customer confidence and program momentum.
• Manage program budgets, forecasts, staffing plans, subcontractors, materials, and travel expenditures.
• Monitor program financial performance using Earned Value Management (EVM) and other analytical tools, and present program health metrics to executive leadership.
• Support contract negotiations, contract modifications, and proposal activities in collaboration with Contracts and Business Development.
• Contribute to proposal development, capture activities, and strategic growth initiatives for existing and emerging customers.
• Review customer requirements and ensure proposals align with technical capabilities, contractual requirements, and business objectives.

Essential Skills

• At least 7 years of Technical Program Management experience within aerospace, defense, government contracting, or other highly regulated industries.
• Strong engineering or technical background with hands-on experience supporting design, systems engineering, analysis, development, or integration efforts.
• Proven experience managing complex hardware and/or system development programs.
• Experience with Earned Value Management Systems (EVM) and using EVM analysis to monitor program performance.
• Demonstrated ability to manage program budgets, schedules, staffing plans, and risk mitigation activities.
• Knowledge of program management tools, processes, and best practices.
• Excellent problem-solving skills with the ability to navigate complex technical and business challenges.
• Strong leadership skills with experience guiding cross-functional and integrated product teams.
• Excellent presentation and communication skills, including the ability to interact with customers and executive leadership.
• Experience working collaboratively across Engineering, Manufacturing, Supply Chain, Contracts, Finance, and Operations organizations.
• U.S. citizenship.
• Bachelor's degree in Engineering or another STEM-related field.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Department of Defense (DoD) program management experience.
• Active Secret or Top Secret Security Clearance.
• PMP, DAU, or equivalent Program Management certification.
• Experience supporting programs governed by FAR/DFARS regulations.
• Experience managing programs as either a prime contractor or a subcontractor.
• Background supporting electro-optical, infrared, aerospace, defense electronics, or other complex technical systems.

Work Environment

The role operates in a highly regulated aerospace and defense environment, working with complex hardware, systems, and integrated products. The Senior Technical Program Manager collaborates closely with cross-functional teams including Engineering, Manufacturing, Supply Chain, Contracts, Finance, Quality, and Business Development. The work involves managing detailed schedules, budgets, and technical execution using program management tools and Earned Value Management (EVM) to monitor performance. The position requires regular interaction with customers and internal executives through formal reviews, status updates, and technical meetings. Programs are governed by strict contractual, regulatory, and compliance requirements, including Department of Defense and FAR/DFARS frameworks, and may involve sensitive or classified work requiring appropriate security clearances.

Job Type & Location

This is a Permanent position based out of Melbourne, FL.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $115,000.00 - $178,000.00/yr.

Compensation & Benefits Competitive salary and performance-based incentives Medical, dental, and vision insurance Health Savings Account (HSA) with company contributions 401(k) retirement plan with company match Company-paid life and disability insurance Tuition reimbursement and professional development assistance Employee wellness programs Paid vacation, holidays, and health/emergency leave Paid parental leave Flexible 9/80 work schedule with every other Friday off Employee assistance resources and family support programs Career growth opportunities supporting advanced aerospace and defense programs

Workplace Type

This is a fully onsite position in Melbourne, FL.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Aug 17, 2026.

About Actalent

Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 20,000 consultants and 5,000 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be an Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm for our engineering design services and a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing winner for both client and talent service.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email [email protected] for other accommodation options.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI): We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.