Project Manager - Defense Programs

Job Description

Job Description

Program Manager, Advanced Manufacturing Defense Programs

Hybrid · Picatinny Arsenal, New Jersey · Full Time · U.S. Citizenship Required

ABOUT THE COMPANY

Our client is an early-stage industrial technology company that has signed a new U.S. government contract to deploy manufacturing facilities on a military installation in New Jersey. To deliver it, the company is standing up a new subsidiary built around this program, with plans to scale that subsidiary well past nine figures over time.

THE OPPORTUNITY

This is a ground-floor role on a newly signed program, with the chance to grow into a leadership position in the subsidiary as it scales. Day to day, the job is program management: keeping the delivery plan honest across hardware, software, vendors, site readiness, and government acceptance requirements, and surfacing the dependencies and decisions that will break the schedule later if nobody catches them now.

For the right leader, there is tremendous opportunity to grow within the company as this initiative expands.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

● Own the integrated delivery plan across technical teams, suppliers, site readiness, testing, and government acceptance.

● Manage the critical path, risks, actions, dependencies, decisions, and escalations.

● Coordinate across engineering, manufacturing, operations, procurement, and external partners.

● Track vendor commitments, lead times, technical readiness, and delivery blockers.

● Prepare clear, regular reporting on status, risks, decisions needed, and next steps.

● Serve as a trusted point of contact with government stakeholders on base.

QUALIFICATIONS

Required

• U.S. Citizenship.
• An active Secret clearance or higher, or the ability to readily obtain one, with the ability to gain access to military installations without difficulty.
• Experience with defense contract management.
• Comfortable running program delivery — schedule, risk, vendors, site readiness, acceptance — without needing to be the technical owner.
• Strong communication skills, including the ability to represent the program and its mission to senior government stakeholders.

Preferred

• Prior military service (officer or enlisted).
• Manufacturing operations experience.
• Bachelor's degree.

GROWTH PATH

This role is designed to grow. The company is looking for someone who can take on business development and, eventually, executive leadership of the new subsidiary as it scales — not remain a delivery-focused program manager indefinitely.

LOCATION

Based at Picatinny Arsenal, New Jersey. Visa sponsorship is not available.

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS

• $100,000–$150,000 annually, based on experience.
• Benefits include full healthcare coverage, a 401(k) with company match, an annual professional-development stipend, parental leave, a flexible “take what you need” vacation policy, and wellness benefits.