Senior Principal Technical Program Manager

About the role

As a Senior Principal Technical Program Manager at Firestorm, you will take charge of mission-critical programs that push the boundaries of aerospace and defense technologies. You’ll be responsible for overseeing the end-to-end execution of complex projects, ensuring the seamless integration of technical, schedule, and cost objectives to deliver innovative, high-performance systems.

This is an exciting opportunity for a seasoned program manager to influence key decisions, lead cross-functional teams, and drive both innovation and operational excellence in programs that directly impact national security.

Responsibilities

• Create, maintain, and track detailed program schedules, budgets, and resource plans for global programs, guiding them from concept through New Product Introduction (NPI) and full deployment.
• Advocate for program resources, budget, and priority, ensuring alignment with organizational goals and customer expectations.
• Monitor and report on program and project status, highlighting key metrics and milestones, and driving accountability across teams.
• Proactively identify, assess, and mitigate program risks, escalating when necessary to ensure that objectives are met on time and within budget.
• Lead the development of solutions to resolve program issues, ensuring timely delivery, cost efficiency, and technical excellence.
• Ensure compliance with industry standards, regulatory requirements, and internal policies across all program phases.
• Implement and oversee variant management strategies, ensuring seamless integration and delivery of tailored solutions.
• Negotiate terms related to performance, delivery, and cost with Sales and Business Development, ensuring that all agreements align with program goals.
• Act as the primary point of contact for coordination between engineering, product, manufacturing, quality, and business teams to drive collaboration and successful execution.
• Act as the primary customer contact for program activities, including project and program reviews, ensuring strong communication and stakeholder satisfaction.
• Partner with Marketing, Sales, and Business Development teams to produce customer-facing documentation, ensuring it aligns with program objectives and client needs.
• Work and negotiate with vendors on contracts and agreements to secure necessary resources and services for program execution.
• Collaborate with Engineering teams to continually improve product offerings, advocating for new features and innovations that will benefit the program and exceed customer expectations.
• Lead cross-functional teams, fostering a culture of collaboration, accountability, and continuous improvement.

Qualifications

• U.S. Citizenship required & the ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) security clearance.
• Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace, Mechanical, Electrical Engineering, or a related technical field. 15+ years of experience leading and managing complex, technical programs, preferably in aerospace, defense, or electromechanical systems; Or, 19+ years of relevant experience in lieu of a degree).
• Proven ability to integrate cost, schedule, and technical baselines for high-impact, cross-functional programs.
• Strong leadership and communication skills, with the ability to manage multiple teams and maintain stakeholder alignment.
• Experience in preparing, reviewing, and submitting proposals and/or requests for quotes (RFQs) for aerospace or engineering programs.
• Expertise in project management tools like Jira, MS Project, or equivalent, for managing complex projects.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Engineering, Engineering Management, or an MBA.
• Experience managing programs in a cross-functional, geographically dispersed environment.
• Experience working with UAS and familiarity with DoD standards and regulations.
• Experience refining and developing processes, tools, and templates for more efficient program execution.
• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to mentor, lead, and motivate teams to success.
• Experience with military personnel or defense contractors, particularly in managing complex defense programs.