Aerospace, Defense, Space Technology, SaaS

Sr. Program Manager - Missile Defense

Long Beach, CAHybridFull TimeSenior$140,000–$250,000 /yrPosted 2 months ago

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Required skills

missile defense
program manager
cross-functional teams
cost
schedule
technical baselines
risk management
stakeholder engagement
subcontractor performance
chief engineer

Nice to have

Agile Methodologies
multiple projects simultaneously
exceptional written communication
exceptional verbal communication
customer interfacing
National Security aerospace programs

Role summary

True Anomaly is seeking a Senior Program Manager for missile defense programs. This customer-centric leadership role involves guiding programs from concept to execution, integrating technical, schedule, and cost baselines. Responsibilities include fostering strategic relationships, leading cross-functional teams, overseeing subcontractors, and managing risk. The ideal candidate will have demonstrated experience delivering complex systems through the engineering lifecycle, managing large-scale DoD contracts (typically $50M+), and hands-on experience with cost, schedule, and technical baselines in aerospace or software development. A Bachelor's degree and 9+ years of relevant experience are required, with a preference for a Master's degree and missile defense experience. The role requires an active Secret clearance, with eligibility for Top Secret/SCI.

Space is a warfighting domain. True Anomaly seeks those with the talent and ambition to build the technology that secures it.

OUR MISSION

True Anomaly delivers decisive capabilities for space superiority. We build autonomous spacecraft, advanced payloads, mission software, and space-based interceptors — enabling the U.S. and its Allies to secure the space environment and counter threats from the ultimate high ground.

OUR VALUES

Be the offset. We create asymmetric advantages with creativity and ingenuity.

What would it take? We challenge assumptions to deliver ambitious results.

It’s the people. Our team is our competitive advantage and we are better together.

BENEFITS & PERKS*

Best-in-class healthcare: 100% company-paid medical, dental, and vision coverage for you and your dependents, with HSA/HRA options

Generous time off: Flexible Time Off (FTO) for exempt employees, accrued PTO of up to 25 days for non-exempt employees, plus 12 paid holidays; Parental Leave; Sick Leave

Fuel for your day: Daily catered lunch and unlimited snacks for in-office employees

And more: 401(k) retirement plan, fitness reimbursement, and Dog Fridays

Equity participation: Equity is included as part of our total compensation package, giving you an opportunity to share in the company’s success.

*Do not apply to fixed term and temporary roles

YOUR MISSION

True Anomaly is seeking a Senior Program Manager who will serve as a trusted partner to our customers, guiding mission-critical missile defense programs from concept to execution while seamlessly integrating technical, schedule, and cost baselines. In this customer-centric leadership role, you will foster strategic relationships, ensuring that customer needs are at the heart of every decision as you lead cross-functional teams, direct program support functions, and oversee subcontractor performance. You will work closely with the chief engineer and teams across systems engineering, mission operations, and program support to provide transparent, agile solutions that directly support our clients' goals. Your proven expertise in risk management, stakeholder engagement, and program execution will be key to advancing our national security mission and delivering exceptional value in the missile defense domain.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Manage complex situations, delegate authority, lead and inspire your team, drive innovative thinking, instill collaboration, drive for success, challenge status quo, and demonstrate the ability to adapt to dynamic situations

Create, implement, and own the coordinated program baseline (cost, schedule, technical) with the chief engineer

Serve as a liaison, with other customer facing team members, between our company and our customers—developing deep relationships to understand their needs and align our program goals with their mission objectives.

Lead cross-functional teams to successfully integrate and execute missile defense missions as well as deliver tailored products and services that meet and exceed customer expectations.

Direct the responsibilities and activities of the program team including program management, systems engineering, communications and IT, mission operations, facilities management, security, safety, and contracts/financial/supply chain support functions

Provide strategic direction and setting priorities that reflect customer goals while managing day-to-day issues to keep projects on time and within budget.

Perform risk and issue assessments with a focus on minimizing customer impact, ensuring rapid resolution and transparent escalation when needed.

Develop innovative solutions to resolve difficult program challenges including cost, schedule, and technical performance

Deliver compelling presentations and lead preparations of bids, proposals, studies, and deliverables, effectively communicating our value proposition during customer reviews and engagements.

Oversee and manage subcontractor activities to ensure all external contributions meet the high-quality standards our customers expect

Develop and lead internal and external program management reviews

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Demonstrated experience delivering a complex space vehicle or weapons system through the entire engineering life cycle—from initial concept and design through integration, testing, and final deployment.

A proven track record in building strong customer relationships through effective team building, conflict resolution, and communication—both internally and externally.

Experience managing Department of War (DoW) or U.S. Space Force (USSF) contracts, especially those that require close coordination with the customer program office.

Demonstrated experience managing large-scale, high-value contracts (typically $50M+), with deep expertise in the research and development phase including budget oversight, risk management, and milestone-driven execution.

Hands-on experience managing risk and overseeing cost, schedule, and technical baselines in aerospace, engineering, or software development programs, all with a clear focus on delivering customer value.

Strong analytical background with the evaluation of requests for proposals and/or quotes.

Experience working within a cross-functional, geographically dispersed team environment to meet contractual commitments and create outstanding customer experiences.

Active Secret and eligibility to obtain Top Secret/SCI Security Clearance

Bachelor’s Degree and a minimum of 9 years of prior relevant experience; Or, Graduate Degree and a minimum of 7 years of prior related experience; Or, in lieu of a degree, a minimum of 13 years of prior related experience

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS 

Master’s Degree

Experience working missile defense, including experience with discrimination of threats from a target field and/or autonomous navigation of multi-object systems

Demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously, ensuring that every project maintains a strong customer focus.

Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with a strong background in customer interfacing and experience in National Security aerospace programs.

Ability to establish new & further refining existing templates, tools, & guidelines for program documentation & execution

Experience with ensuring compliance with approved Corporate and ISO 9001:2000 Policies and Processes

Senior Program Manager: BS degree or higher in Management or Engineering or a related field is required plus 14 or more years related experience.

Active TS/SCI US government security clearance with SCI eligibility strongly preferred

COMPENSATION

Base Salary: $140,000 - $250,000

Equity + Benefits including Health, Dental, Vision, HRA/HSA options, PTO and paid holidays, 401K, Parental Leave

Your actual level and base salary will be determined on a case-by-case basis and may vary based on the following considerations: job-related knowledge and skills, education, and experience

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS

Work Location—Successful candidates will be located near Long Beach. While we observe a hybrid work environment, some work must be done on site.

Work environment—the work environment; temperature, noise level, inside or outside, or other factors that will affect the person's working conditions while performing the job.

Physical demands—the physical demands of the job, including bending, sitting, lifting and driving.

This position will be open until it is successfully filled. To submit your application, please follow the directions below. #LI-Hybrid

To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) you must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident of the U.S., protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State.

True Anomaly is committed to equal employment opportunity on any basis protected by applicable state and federal laws. If you have a disability or additional need that requires accommodation, please do not hesitate to let us know.

To protect candidates and our company from application fraud and impersonation, we use third-party tools to verify applicant identity and detect fraudulent applications. Learn more in our Privacy Notice.

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Sr. Program Manager - Missile Defense

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