Program Director, Rocket Motor Systems

About the role

The Director of Programs is responsible for making key decisions on overall business strategy. This role will play a critical part in the development and delivery of advanced rocket motor systems that serve the defense industry. The Director of Programs will manage the overall strategy for our portfolio of programs across development and full rate production.

Responsibilities

• Set and execute the strategic direction for a portfolio of programs spanning development, test, production ramp, and sustained delivery—driving revenue growth across multiple program iterations and contract cycles.
• Autonomously execute on broad and ambiguous requirements from internal engineering, customers, and third-party corporate partners to own successful delivery of outcomes on multiple programs simultaneously.
• Manage all aspects of program execution across the portfolio, including schedule, budget, risk management, and P&L accountability, ensuring programs meet financial targets and contribute to overall divisional profitability.
• Build, lead, and develop high-performing cross-functional program teams, fostering a culture of ownership, continuous learning, and professional growth.
• Serve as a primary executive interface with customers, maintaining relationships that drive follow-on awards, contract expansions, and long-term strategic partnerships.
• Oversee subcontractor performance and procurement processes, ensuring compliance with program requirements, quality standards, and on-time delivery.
• Prepare and present contractual deliverables, program status reports, proposals, and other documentation to internal and external audiences, including senior government and industry stakeholders.
• Drive innovation and continuous improvement across the program portfolio, leveraging lessons learned from prior program iterations to accelerate execution and reduce risk.
• Develop and implement lightweight processes, tools, and metrics for program planning, scope management, risk management, and customer communication to enable Anduril to move rapidly.
• Partner with Growth to shape capture strategy, inform competitive positioning, and convert pipeline into awarded programs.

Requirements

• 8+ years of progressive program management or general management experience in a complex hardware manufacturing specific environment, with demonstrated success leading large-scale, high-revenue programs.
• Proven track record of taking programs through multiple iterations of growth—from initial development through production ramp and follow-on contract cycles—with cumulative program value in the hundreds of millions.
• Experience owning profit and loss at the program or division level, with a history of meeting or exceeding financial targets.
• Demonstrated ability to lead and scale cross-functional teams across engineering, operations, supply chain, finance, and business development.
• Strong executive presence with the ability to represent the organization to senior government officials, military customers, and industry partners.
• Exceptional organizational, leadership, and decision-making skills with comfort operating in fast-paced, ambiguous environments.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills to influence across all levels of an organization and with external stakeholders.
• Experience with program management tools and systems (e.g., Microsoft Project, Jira, or equivalent).
• Willingness to travel up to 50% supporting program objectives and customer engagements.
• Currently possesses and is able to maintain an active U.S. Secret security clearance.

Preferred qualifications

• B.S. or advanced degree in Engineering, Business, or a related technical discipline.
• Experience in propulsion, energetics, or adjacent technical domains is a plus but not required.
• Prior experience at a high-growth technology or defense company that operates with speed and a bias toward action.
• Familiarity with DoD acquisition processes, FAR/DFARS, and government contracting frameworks.

Pay

US Salary Range: $190,000 - $252,000 USD

Schedule

N/A