Job Title: Technical Program Manager Defense Systems
Placement Type: Direct Placement FTE
Location: 100% Onsite
Job Description
This role leads complex aerospace and defense programs that integrate engineering, manufacturing, quality, and customer requirements across hypersonics, strategic missile defense, tactical missiles, and integrated defense systems. You will guide highly technical, cross-functional teams through the full product lifecyclefrom planning and development through qualification, production, and deliveryensuring technical, schedule, and contractual commitments are met. The position focuses on defense-oriented hardware programs, particularly hightemperature materials and composite systems, with direct impact on missioncritical capabilities across air, land, and sea.
Responsibilities
- Lead cross-functional engineering teams in the design, development, analysis, and testing of mechanical and pyrotechnic components and systems.
- Guide programs through planning, development, qualification, production, and delivery while managing schedule, cost, risk, and technical performance.
- Operate closely with engineering teams to understand technical discussions, drive execution, and make immediate impact on program performance.
- Interface regularly with customers and internal leadership to maintain clear communication, alignment, and strong customer-facing presence.
- Support business development by contributing to proposal writing, coordinating proposal efforts, and participating in new business and capture activities.
- Coordinate the transition from business development and capture activities into full program execution, ensuring continuity and clarity of scope.
- Ensure complete and accurate documentation of engineering activities, including drawings, technical reports, and executive-level presentations.
- Track program performance using key metrics, analyze trends, and proactively identify program risks, issues, and mitigation actions.
- Support and lead technical reviews and formal program milestone reviews to ensure readiness and compliance with technical and contractual requirements.
- Facilitate detailed program planning, technical decision-making, and change management across engineering and integrated product teams.
- Manage program scope, cost, schedule, and technical performance while balancing competing priorities and constraints.
- Partner closely with Supply Chain, Manufacturing, Quality Assurance, Contracts, and Finance to ensure successful, on-time, and on-budget program delivery.
- Support Integrated Product Teams working on defense systems, missile programs, hightemperature material development, composite systems, propulsion technologies, and space and defense applications.
- Influence technical teams and multidisciplinary groups to align on program goals, resolve issues, and maintain momentum.
- Communicate effectively with executive leadership, providing clear status updates, risk assessments, and recommendations in ambiguous technical environments.
Essential Skills
- Bachelors degree in mechanical engineering, aerospace engineering, or a related technical field.
- At least 5 years of engineering experience, including a minimum of 2 years in aerospace engineering or systems engineering.
- Demonstrated ability to develop, plan, and execute complex engineering projects from concept through delivery.
- Proven experience leading cross-functional engineering teams in a technical environment.
- Experience managing cost, schedule, scope, and technical risks on hardware-focused programs.
- Technical program management experience operating closely with engineering teams and technical execution.
- Hands-on experience with hardware product development, particularly physical aerospace or defense products taken through development, qualification, production, and delivery.
- Strong engineering communication skills, with the ability to understand and contribute to detailed technical discussions.
- Ability to influence technical teams and lead multidisciplinary groups toward common objectives.
- Strong customer-facing presence and executive communication capabilities.
- Ability to operate effectively in ambiguous technical environments while maintaining clarity of priorities and actions.
- Demonstrated experience managing complex hardware products such as missile systems, propulsion systems, defense hardware, and aerospace products.
Additional Skills & Qualifications
- Masters degree in a related technical field or a Master of Business Administration (MBA).
- At least 2 years of experience managing complex technical programs in defense, aerospace, or government technology sectors.
- Experience supporting defense systems, including tactical missiles, integrated defense systems, hightemperature materials, propulsion technologies, composites applications, and space and defense hardware.
- Experience in technical program management distinct from traditional project management, with a focus on close engagement with engineering teams.
- Experience across the full product lifecycle, including product lifecycle management and product development life cycle for complex hardware products.
- Familiarity with defense-focused Integrated Product Team environments and the ability to quickly integrate and drive program execution.
- Experience working within or alongside government-related programs and contracts.
- Ability to provide high-visibility program leadership within a growing defense organization and to significantly influence program outcomes.
Work Environment
This is a 100% onsite role based in Mukilteo, WA, within a combined engineering and manufacturing environment. You will work in a waterfront office overlooking Puget Sound, with frequent interaction with engineering, manufacturing, quality, supply chain, contracts, finance, and upper leadership. The site serves as a major engineering and manufacturing hub supporting NASA lunar exploration, commercial launch vehicles, hypersonic systems, missile defense, propulsion hardware, and other national security programs. The organization operates on a 9/80 schedule, providing every other Friday off, with the office fully closed on those off Fridays. Candidates can expect a close-knit, highly technical engineering culture, high visibility within a growing defense organization, and opportunities for site tours during the interview process. The environment emphasizes direct impact on mission-critical defense and space programs, collaboration across integrated product teams, and hands-on engagement with complex aerospace and defense hardware throughout development, test, qualification, and production.
Job Type & Location
This is a Permanent position based out of Mukilteo, WA.
Pay and Benefits
The pay range for this position is $140000.00 - $160000.00/yr.
Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors.
-Medical ((PPO, HMO, HDHP) , dental (HMO and PPO options), and vision coverage -Health Savings Account (HSA) -401(k) with immediate vesting of employer match (100% vested immediately) -Profit sharing program -Life and AD&D insurance -Short- and long-term disability coverage -Employee Assistance Program (24/7 confidential counseling and support resources) -Tuition reimbursement and educational assistance *Requesting formal benefits package but they can also review the details on their website (scroll to bottom of page): https://karman-sd.com/careers/
Job Type & Location
This is a Permanent position based out of Mukilteo, WA.
Application Deadline
This position is anticipated to close on Nov 6, 2026.
Workplace Type
This is a fully onsite position in Mukilteo,WA.
About Actalent
Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 20,000 consultants and 5,000 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be an Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm for our engineering design services and a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® winner for both client and talent service.
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