Sr. Program Manager

Professional Services Tampa, FL Direct Hire Sep 29, 2026 Job Title: Sr. Program Manager Department: Program Management Location: Tampa, FL. Fully on-site on a 9/80 schedule, with no designated remote days. Role Type: Full-time, direct hire (permanent) About Our Client Our client is an aerospace and defense company that develops and delivers solutions for U.S. government and defense customers, including energetics-related programs. They work with government officials, industry partners, suppliers, and manufacturing sites. The culture values integrity, collaboration, and continuous improvement, and they are growing their Tampa program management team. Job Description This is a newly created, fully funded role for a seasoned defense Program Manager to lead large, complex programs from inception through completion. You will own program strategy, schedule, budget, and risk, and you will be the primary point of contact for customers, partners, and key stakeholders. Day to day, you will lead cross-functional teams across engineering, operations, finance, and supply chain, track progress against milestones, and report status to senior management and customers. You will also present to government officials, company leadership, and technical teams in the U.S. and internationally, and support ERP implementation as needed. Your work directly drives customer satisfaction and the company's ability to deliver programs on time and within budget. The ideal candidate is a strong communicator who is comfortable in a fast-paced, dynamic environment. They enjoy mentoring teams and using data to make decisions. Duties and Responsibilities Lead the planning, execution, and delivery of complex defense programs from inception through completion.Develop and implement program strategies, objectives, and deliverables aligned with customer requirements and company goals.Serve as the primary point of contact for program communications, managing customer expectations and satisfaction.Oversee program scope, schedule, budget, and risk, implementing corrective actions as needed.Develop detailed project plans, milestones, and timelines.Lead and mentor cross-functional teams across engineering, operations, finance, and supply chain.Develop and manage program budgets and forecasts, track expenses, and identify cost savings without compromising quality.Identify, assess, and mitigate program risks, and develop risk management plans and contingency strategies.Ensure compliance with all regulatory and contractual requirements.Prepare and deliver regular program status reports to senior management and customers.Maintain complete, traceable program documentation, including contracts, reports, and records.Represent the company in internal and external meetings with government officials, leadership, and technical teams, both domestic and international.Support the implementation of ERP systems as needed.Travel up to 25% to manufacturing sites, suppliers, and customers. Required Experience/Skills 10+ years of program management experience within the defense industry.Proven experience managing large, complex programs with budgets exceeding $100M.Strong knowledge of ITAR, DFARS, and FAR.Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to collaborate with internal stakeholders and customers.Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, including analyzing complex data to make data-driven decisions.Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.Proficiency in Microsoft Office, including creating project and milestone charts and presentations for status reporting.Proficiency in project management tools and software (ERP, Visio, Project, etc.).Authorization to work in the U.S. and U.S. person status.Ability to pass a background investigation and drug screening. Nice-to-Haves Experience with energetics-related programs.PMP or equivalent certification.Master's degree (MBA, Engineering, or related field). Education Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Business Administration, or a related field required. Master's degree preferred. Pay & Benefits Summary Salary: $160,000–$180,000 per year, depending on experience. No bonus.Schedule: 9/80 work schedule.Start date: ASAP. Call-to-Action Ready to lead complex defense programs in Tampa? Apply now, and our team will be in touch quickly. Keywords: Sr. Program Manager | Senior Program Manager | Defense Program Manager | Aerospace and Defense | Tampa, FL | ITAR | FAR | DFARS | Energetics | PMP | Government Contracts | Direct Hire