Associate Program Manager - JobID-0243

Innovative Defense Technologies (IDT), a leading defense technology company, is seeking an Associate Program Manager to join our Integrated Mission Systems team in San Diego, CA. This role will assist with all aspects of program execution, including financial management, contract execution, progress reporting, workforce management, schedule execution, property management, and purchasing. The Associate Program Manager will engage with program managers, company personnel, project engineers, and external stakeholders as needed.

Responsibilities

• Identify and engage subject matter experts to achieve project objectives.
• Assist with navigating procurement processes to acquire goods and services aligned with project goals, timelines, and budget constraints.
• Track progress against milestones, budgets, and performance baselines using defined metrics and benchmarks.
• Work with lead engineers to decompose higher-level program schedule targets into lower-level executable elements and track to completion.
• Apply sound project management principles to overcome setbacks, improve effectiveness, and increase efficiency.
• Document, decompose, and validate business and stakeholder requirements from statements of work, project artifacts, and stakeholder input.
• Identify, monitor, and manage project risks and opportunities.
• Proactively introduce activities or proposals to capitalize on opportunities.
• Help identify integration points across teams and stakeholders to align requirements, customer outcomes, and IDT business goals.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in management or technical field (engineering, science) or equivalent full-time professional experience.
• 1+ year of full-time professional experience.
• Ability to travel approximately 10%.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
• Proficiency in JIRA: able to configure multi-project scrum and kanban boards, set up basic workflow automations, and maintain clean parent-child hierarchies.
• Working knowledge of Agile execution, including core iterative delivery concepts and the ability to translate standard team cadences into organized, well-tracked board workflows.
• Demonstrated experience taking and distributing clear and accurate meeting minutes.
• Ability to work across technical and non-technical teams while fostering collaboration.
• Exposure to budgeting, cost tracking, and financial reporting for projects.
• High attention to detail with the ability to manage competing priorities.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• All applicants must be able to obtain/maintain an active Secret U.S. Security Clearance.
• This is an on-site position requiring at least 4 days in the office, based in San Diego, CA.

Skills

• Preferred: PMP Certifications
• Preferred: Prior military experience
• Preferred: Experience with project scheduling tools (e.g., MS Project, Smartsheet)
• Preferred: Familiarity with the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) and Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS)
• Preferred: Prior exposure to engineering or technical project environments
• Preferred: Experience with DoD Contracts

Pay

$74,000 - $150,000 per year. Pursuant to California Senate Bill 1162, IDT provides the following pay ranges: $74,000 - $116,000 or $90,000 - $150,000, commensurate with experience. The posted range does not include bonuses, commissions, tips, or other benefits.

Benefits

• Generous benefits package
• Competitive PTO
• Paid holidays
• 401(k) with immediate vesting and matching
• 9/80 optional schedule (2nd and 4th Friday off every month)
• Tuition Assistance Reimbursement Program
• Professional Development Resources
• Pre-Tax Commuter Benefits
• Organization-Wide Monthly Tech Connect Events
• Annual Employee Recognition Awards
• Regular Social Events and Catered Lunches