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General Dynamics Mission Systems

Builds secure electronics for defense missions

Program Manager - ASTRA Risk Manager

Full-TimeDeadline 10/5/27
$156.4k - $173.6k/yr
Senior
Bachelor's, Master's
San Jose, CA, USA+3 moreMore locations: Chantilly, VA, USA | Pittsburgh, PA, USA | Scottsdale, AZ, USA
Remote
Project & Program ManagementProgram Management
No H1B Sponsorship
US Citizenship, US Top Secret Clearance Required

About the job

Requirements
  • A bachelor's degree or equivalent and at least 8 years of relevant experience, or a master's degree and at least 6 years of relevant experience, is required.
  • An active Top Secret/Sensitive Compartmented Information security clearance is required.
  • Demonstrated experience managing program risks, schedules, dependencies, and cross-functional execution is required.
  • Experience developing and maintaining risk and opportunity registers, mitigation plans, and executive risk reporting is required.
  • Working knowledge of program controls, earned value management, cost and schedule performance, and integrated master schedules is required.
  • Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to present concise risk and decision information to customers and senior leadership, are required.
  • Ability to manage multiple priorities across a portfolio while directly leading assigned programs or special projects is required.
Responsibilities
  • Provide portfolio-level leadership for risk and opportunity management while directly managing assigned small, discrete programs.
  • Establish and maintain consistent processes for risk identification, assessment, scoring, ownership, mitigation planning, tracking, and closure across assigned programs.
  • Assess technical maturity, schedule performance, resource constraints, material availability, supplier performance, cost exposure, customer dependencies, security requirements, and contractual considerations to identify risks and opportunities requiring management attention.
  • Coordinate routine risk reviews with program managers and functional organizations, including engineering, operations, supply chain, quality, finance, contracts, security, and subcontractors.
  • Maintain the integrated portfolio risk and opportunity register; analyze cross-program trends and shared dependencies; assess mitigation effectiveness; and elevate risks requiring Program Manager, customer, or executive intervention.
  • Ensure risk posture is accurately reflected in program plans, integrated schedules, forecasts, estimate-at-complete updates, proposal assumptions, and management reviews.
  • Maintain execution plans and integrated schedules for smaller, discrete programs and special projects; track milestones, dependencies, staffing, material status, technical readiness, cost, and deliverables; and lead cross-functional working sessions to drive actions to closure.
  • Monitor cost and schedule performance, support earned-value inputs and variance explanations as applicable, and develop recovery actions before impacts become critical.
  • Prepare and coordinate portfolio risk summaries, program status materials, mitigation plans, action logs, decision records, milestone-readiness packages, and follow-up communications for internal and customer-facing reviews.
  • Support design reviews, program reviews, customer meetings, contract deliverables, production-readiness events, and deliveries by ensuring clear ownership, risk-informed decisions, and closure criteria.
  • Support proposal activity, follow-on efforts, and contract changes by incorporating current program performance, risk posture, technical maturity, material lead times, staffing needs, and execution lessons learned into proposal schedules, basis-of-estimate inputs, risk registers, and management plans.
  • Lead risk and execution working sessions, assign and track routine actions, request status from functional organizations, recommend mitigation and recovery actions, and elevate unresolved cross-program risks.
Desired Qualifications
  • Proven program management experience with high-reliability spaceflight hardware for National Security Space.
  • A strong foundation in earned value management and structured risk management.
  • Leadership experience in RF payload development and production.
  • Willingness to learn the customer’s mission and advocate for solutions in mission terms using the customer’s vocabulary.
  • Experience resolving schedule challenges, implementing contingency plans, and overseeing recovery from build or test issues.
  • Experience managing scope control on complex development or production contracts, including fixed-price contracts.
  • Interest in overseeing programs with significant technology maturation and technology risk management, and willingness to learn related radio-frequency technology fundamentals.
  • Ability to work collaboratively with experienced engineers and architects to solve technical and programmatic challenges, including design-to-cost and design-to-schedule.
  • Ability to identify opportunities to apply artificial intelligence for continuous improvement and innovation.

About the company

G

General Dynamics Mission Systems

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General Dynamics Mission Systems builds defense electronics and integrated systems for military, intelligence and civil government customers. Its equipment connects people and platforms across land, sea, air, space and cyber missions, from tactical radios to satellite ground infrastructure. The business designs submarine weapon controls, aircraft processing equipment and encryption products that protect classified voice, video and data. Government contracts fund development and production, and its products become components of larger military platforms and integrated national security systems. A business unit of General Dynamics, it is headquartered in Chantilly, Virginia.

Company Size

10,001+

Company Stage

N/A

Total Funding

N/A

Headquarters

Fairfax, Virginia

Founded

1952

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Simplify's Take

What believers are saying

  • Retirement savings get immediate support: GDMS advertises a 6% 401k match with immediate vesting.
  • Education receives employer support: GDMS lists tuition assistance alongside professional development programs.
  • Service work extends hardware sales: GDMS sells Bluefin engineering support at negotiated day-rates and through custom agreements.

What critics are saying

  • Government work lacks guaranteed continuity: GDMS contracts sit under General Dynamics terms allowing customer termination for convenience.
  • Some careers require prior clearance: GDMS requires Top Secret clearance at hire for its Dedham strategic business development manager.
  • Production overruns threaten margins: GDMS shares its parent's fixed-price contracting model, which places extra costs on the contractor.

What makes General Dynamics Mission Systems unique

  • Naval relationships span generations: GDMS traces its submarine systems work for the Navy back more than 60 years.
  • Integration experience runs deep: GDMS says its Bluefin family has supported more than 100 sensors and payloads.
  • Scientific missions broaden its reach: GDMS technology transmits the space images and data used in science textbooks.

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Benefits

  • 401(k) Company Match
  • Flexible Work Hours
  • Paid Parental Leave
  • Health Insurance
  • Wellness Program

Growth & Insights and Company News

Headcount

6 month growth

3%

1 year growth

3%

2 year growth

3%
General Dynamics Mission Systems
Aug 26th, 2026
General Dynamics recognized among WayUp's 2026 Top 100 Internship Programs.

General Dynamics recognized among WayUp's 2026 Top 100 Internship Programs. August 26, 2026 featured story. General Dynamics has been recognized by WayUp as one of its 2026 Top 100 Internship Programs, highlighting the meaningful, hands-on experiences the company provides to emerging talent. This summer, General Dynamics Mission Systems expanded its investment in early-career talent by welcoming more than 550 interns across the company, more than double its typical internship goal of prior years. These students brought fresh ideas, technical curiosity and new perspectives to teams across engineering, manufacturing, software, cybersecurity, program management and business functions, while gaining hands-on experience supporting mission-critical work. "Welcoming more than 550 interns this summer reflects the strong interest students have in our meaningful, mission-driven work," said Terrell Johnson, General Dynamics Mission Systems university relations lead. "Our interns bring fresh perspectives and real energy to our teams, and we are proud to give students from a variety of backgrounds, industries and levels of experience opportunities to learn, grow, contribute and begin building their careers at General Dynamics Mission Systems." The recognition reflects the General Dynamics Mission Systems commitment to helping students and early-career professionals build technical skills, expand their professional networks and contribute to work with real-world purpose. Throughout the organization, interns have the opportunity to learn alongside experienced professionals while supporting technologies and solutions that help protect lives and advance critical missions. From engineering and software development to manufacturing, program management, cybersecurity and business operations, General Dynamics Mission Systems internships are designed to give students more than a glimpse into a career. Interns are welcomed as contributors; bringing fresh perspectives, curiosity and ideas to teams working on some of the nation's most complex challenges. "What has stood out most is how much ownership I've been entrusted with as a systems engineer intern," said Jared Naegele, New Jersey of Technology Mechanical Engineering Student, and intern out of Quincy, Massachusetts. "Real deliverables that went to real people, not busywork. The team treats interns like contributors, and having full access to engineering tools and data made the work feel authentic from day one." Being named a WayUp Top 100 Internship Program is a testament to the employees who invest their time as mentors, managers and teammates. Their guidance helps create an environment where interns can ask questions, take on meaningful challenges and begin building the foundation for their future careers. For Madison Rix, Arizona State University senior, no one exemplified that truth more than her tasking lead, Kateri Rosedale, a systems engineer and mentor who, from day one, made it her mission to ensure Madison got the absolute most out of her summer. "She consistently checked up on me, made sure I had a clear understanding of my tasks, answered every question I had and supported me both professionally and personally," said Madison, an intern out of Scottsdale, Arizona. "It would be impossible to put into words how much she's taught me this summer." As General Dynamics Mission Systems continues to grow its early-career talent pipeline, the company remains focused on creating opportunities for students to develop their skills while discovering where their passion can meet purpose. This summer, the Quincy, Massachusetts, interns volunteered at the annual Quincy Day of Fishing supporting disabled veterans. "We entrust our interns with real, meaningful work from day one - tackling genuine engineering challenges, owning deliverables and the opportunity to make impactful contributions," said engineering supervisor Mike Gilarde.

General Dynamics Mission Systems
Jul 24th, 2026
From service to mission: why every Day is hire-a-veteran day at General Dynamics Mission Systems.

From service to mission: why every Day is hire-a-veteran day at General Dynamics Mission Systems. CHANTILLY, Va. - Earlier this July, General Dynamics Mission Systems was named one of the 2026 Top Veteran Employers by United States Veterans Magazine, an honor that recognizes organizations going above and beyond in recruiting, hiring and supporting veterans in the workplace. Starting in 2017, National Hire a Veteran Day is observed each year on July 25. Encouraging employers to recruit, hire and support military veterans transitioning to civilian careers. When it comes to hiring veterans at General Dynamics Mission Systems, the company sees it as a strategic advantage and a natural extension of its core mission. "Every veteran who walks through the doors of General Dynamics Mission Systems brings with them something no resume can fully capture: a firsthand understanding of what's at stake with our warfighters," says Richard Moore, Military Programs Lead at General Dynamics Mission Systems. "We do it because veterans make us stronger and better at what we do, and what we do matters deeply to the people still out there in the field." Richard knows the journey. Richard's path to General Dynamics Mission Systems was not a straight line - it was a nearly two-decade journey that most people would have walked away from long before the finish line. He initially served in the U.S. Army and the U.S. Navy from September 1992 to September 1996. His first military transition was rough. In just one year, he held eight different positions. By number seven, he knew he had to make a decision - he re-enlisted in the Army in September 1997. When he transitioned out 'for good' in April 2000, he knew what the pitfalls looked like, and he was not going to repeat them. Originally planning to return to his hometown in Ohio, Richard ended up putting down roots in Virginia instead - and somewhere along the way, a new mission took shape. He wanted to make sure every veteran coming home had a real shot at meaningful employment, because he knew firsthand that a real shot was not always easy to come by. After transitioning out of the Army and many applications later, he received an offer from General Dynamics Mission System, and accepted without hesitation. Now, Richard is doing for others what no one did for him - making sure veterans know they are not alone and giving them the guidance to find their way to a career worth fighting for. General Dynamics Mission Systems, Inc. support the warfighter every day. At General Dynamics Mission Systems, the connection to the warfighter is not just a tagline. From advanced communications systems to mission-critical command and control platforms, the company's work directly supports the men and women in uniform who defend the nation every day. "Our veterans understand our customers in a way that is incredibly rare," Richard explains. "They've lived it. They've relied on the very kinds of systems we build. That perspective is invaluable and it drives everything we do here." For veteran employees, that sense of purpose is one of the most compelling reasons to make the transition to General Dynamics Mission Systems. The mission doesn't end when the uniform comes off - it simply evolves. Bridging the gap through the SkillBridge program. One of the most impactful tools General Dynamics Mission Systems uses to connect with transitioning service members is its partnership with the SkillBridge program. SkillBridge allows active-duty service members to gain real-world civilian work experience with participating employers during the final period of their military service - before the transition is even complete. "SkillBridge has been a game changer for us," says Moore. "It allows service members to get their feet on the ground here, understand our culture and see firsthand how their skills translate. And for us, it's an opportunity to show them that this is a place where they can thrive." Many General Dynamics Mission Systems SkillBridge participants have gone on to become full-time employees - a testament to the strength of the program and the talent it attracts. The veteran journey. Perhaps no one captures that spirit better than Peter Pahules, an engineer in Scottsdale, Arizona who served on active duty with the U.S. Air Force from 1978 to 1986 and then as an Arizona Army National Guard Artilleryman from 1988 to 1992. For Peter, the uniform and the engineering career were never two separate chapters. "My military service and my engineering career are one continuous mission," he says. "The values instilled in me through my time in the U.S. Army - dedication, integrity and an unwavering commitment to those who serve - are the very same values that drive me every day as an engineer at General Dynamics." As a proud member of the General Dynamics Mission Systems Veteran Employee Resource Group, Peter sees his work not as a job but as a continuation of service. "Serving this nation did not end when I took off the uniform," he says. "It simply evolved. And I could not be prouder to continue that service here." An open invitation. General Dynamics Mission Systems extends an open invitation to transitioning service members and veterans everywhere to explore what the company has to offer. "To any veteran out there wondering what comes next - we see you, we value you and we have a place for you here," Moore says. "Your service has prepared you for exactly this kind of work." To learn more about veteran hiring programs and initiatives, as well as the SkillBridge program at General Dynamics Mission Systems, visit GDMissionSystems.com/Military. General Dynamics Mission Systems, a business unit of General Dynamics (NYSE: GD), provides mission-critical solutions to the challenges facing its defense, intelligence and cybersecurity customers across all domains. Headquartered in Chantilly, Virginia, General Dynamics Mission Systems employs approximately 12,000 people worldwide. For more information about the General Dynamics Mission Systems broad portfolio of capabilities, visit gdmissionsystems.com.

TurDef
Jul 22nd, 2026
General Dynamics displays ENVOY tandem rotor UAV with LMM.

General Dynamics displays ENVOY tandem rotor UAV with LMM. * 22 Jul 2026, 15:54 General Dynamics is displaying ENVOY tandem-rotor armed UAV fitted with Thales LMM missiles at the 2026 Farnborough International Airshow. General Dynamics Mission Systems put the ENVOY tandem-rotor UAV based on Laflamme LX300 on display with the multirole LMM (Martlet) missiles from Thales during FIA2026. The LMM missiles are mounted with twin-tube racks. ENVOY is a collaboration between General Dynamics Mission Systems (GDMS) and Laflamme, which previously developed the RUAV platform as LX300. ENVOY can carry a payload of up to 180 kg, including weaponry, sensors, and utility payloads. The tandem rotor configuration well known with the CH-47 Chinook cargo helicopter has the advantage of maximising useful internal volume by forgoing the tail rotor as the contra-rotating blades balance the torque. LMM is a prominent missile in the UK service as a dual-purpose weapon that can engage small surface targets and low-flying aircraft. The missile's small frame and light weight allow it to be carried by UAVs, helicopters, and remote-controlled weapon stations. The missile, with a range of six kilometres and a peak speed of Mach 1.5, uses laser beam riding guidance also present on the Starstreak air defence missile (Another prominent tactical missile in use by the UK). The guidance method mainly has the advantage of resistance against flares and jamming, as a laser beam steers the missile towards the target rather than the target's heat or radar signature.

Military Embedded Systems
Jun 3rd, 2026
GUEST BLOG: enabling agile warfighter communications - CMOSS Mounted Form Factor (CMFF) Mounted Common Infrastructure (MCI) supports Ivy Mass.

GUEST BLOG: enabling agile warfighter communications - CMOSS Mounted Form Factor (CMFF) Mounted Common Infrastructure (MCI) supports Ivy Mass. June 03, 2026 Deputy Product Manager, CMOSS Mounted Form Factor (CMFF), U.S. Army (Civ.), PM C2 Infrastructure. Modern military operations demand adaptable, interoperable, and resilient communications systems that keep pace with evolving mission requirements and technological advancements. At the recent U.S. Army Ivy Mass exercise conducted at Fort Carson (Colorado), the CMOSS Mounted Form Factor (CMFF) Mounted Common Infrastructure (MCI) demonstrated its vital role in delivering robust mission command-and-control capabilities. Developed and supported jointly by General Dynamics Mission Systems (GDMS) and Pacific Defense, CMFF showcased how modular open systems architectures, particularly the Sensor Open Systems Architecture, or SOSA initiative, are transforming tactical communications for the warfighter. What is Ivy Mass? Ivy Mass is a biennial dynamic division-level training exercise focused on operationalizing mission command and maneuvering across a wide range of combat and sustainment scenarios with 4th Infantry Division (4ID), held at Fort Carson, Colorado. Unlike traditional structured training lanes, Ivy Mass emphasizes free-range mission execution, enabling units to conduct attack, defense, joint fires employment (JFE), and logistics missions in a realistic and fluid operational environment. These complex scenarios require communications systems to be highly flexible, interoperable, and capable of integrating multiple subsystems seamlessly. CMFF MCI. CMFF MCI - a rugged, modular system built around the Army's C5ISR Modular Open Suite of Standards [CMOSS] - is a scalable, interoperable platform designed to host multiple communications and mission-command capabilities within a compact form factor suitable for mounting on tactical vehicles. At its core, CMFF integrates critical components such as positioning, navigation, and timing (PNT) devices; tactical communications; and software-defined systems. This integration enables commanders and soldiers to maintain real-time situational awareness, command and control, and effective communications across distributed units. Combined effort: GDMS and Pacific Defense. GDMS and Pacific Defense won the contract under the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) MTA Rapid Prototype OTA acquisition vehicle to deliver the CMFF MCI. Initially developed through a rapid prototyping effort, CMFF leverages SOSA aligned principles to ruggedize and enhance the system, meeting rigorous operational standards. This approach enables rapid integration of diverse components and simplifies future upgrades. The open, modular design has been key to making CMFF MCI fully ready and capable for soldiers to use today. As prime vendors, GDMS and Pacific Defense delivered a comprehensive end-to-end solution, including system installation support, integration, hands-on training, and real-time troubleshooting, thereby ensuring CMFF MCI provides secure mission-tailored communications capabilities that directly support warfighter requirements. Enabling mission success with SOSA aligned principles. A key enabler of the CMFF's adaptability and interoperability is its foundation in the SOSA Technical Standard, which is a DoD-driven open architecture standard aimed at promoting modularity, scalability, and vendor interoperability across sensor and communications systems. CMFF MCI leverages SOSA aligned hardware and software standards to facilitate rapid integration of diverse components and subsystems. This open systems approach reduces vendor lock-in, shortens upgrade cycles, and simplifies logistics and sustainment, all critical factors in maintaining operational readiness in austere and rapidly changing environments. The SOSA approach's emphasis on common interfaces and modularity enabled CMFF MCI to leverage Silvus radios for beyond-line-of-sight communications, integrated PNT devices for precise location tracking, high dynamic range+ (HDR+) data links for high-bandwidth connectivity, and Lattice software for flexible network management, all within a single, ruggedized mounted chassis. Operational impact on Ivy Mass. During Ivy Mass, CMFF MCI proved indispensable in supporting the division's complex mission sets. Units operated across dispersed terrain, executing attack, defense, and sustainment missions that required continuous, reliable communications under dynamic conditions. CMFF's integration on 4ID's Joint Light Tactical Vehicles (JLTVs) enabled logistical support functions. Commanders from forward support companies (FSCs) leveraged the system to coordinate fuel resupply, maintenance, casualty evacuation, and battlefield circulation in real time. This capability ensured that maneuver units maintained momentum without disruption. Despite limited training time, soldiers rapidly developed confidence in operating the integrated CMFF communications suite through focused instruction on essential system functions and basic troubleshooting, enabling soldiers to maintain effective communication despite evolving mission requirements. During the exercise, on-site technical support ensured rapid resolution of integration issues, minimizing downtime and allowing soldiers to fully leverage CMFF's capabilities to sustain battlefield situational awareness. Future of command-and-control infrastructure. The success of CMFF MCI at Ivy Mass underscores the transformative power of modular open systems architectures like CMOSS and the SOSA approach in modernizing tactical communications. By enabling flexible integration of best-of-breed technologies from multiple vendors, these architectures foster innovation and resilience. Looking ahead, CMFF's scalable design means it can evolve along with emerging technologies, supporting future radio waveforms, cyberdefense capabilities, and networked sensors without costly system overhauls. This adaptability ensures that warfighters remain equipped with cutting-edge tools to maintain the battlefield advantage. Next-generation infrastructure. CMFF MCI, supported by GDMS and Pacific Defense, exemplifies next-generation tactical infrastructure. Its successful deployment at Ivy Mass demonstrates how modular open systems architectures, anchored in SOSA Technical Standard principles, enable agile, interoperable, and reliable communications that directly enhance warfighter effectiveness. As the Army continues to modernize its command-and-control systems, solutions like the CMFF MCI will play a pivotal role in delivering the operational flexibility and technical superiority that future conflicts demand. Ivy Mass was not just a test of systems; it was a proof point for the future of integrated, open architecture infrastructure solutions empowering soldiers at the point of need. Helon Toribio is Deputy Product Manager, CMOSS Mounted Form Factor (CMFF), U.S. Army (Civ.), PM C2 Infrastructure. The views expressed in this blog are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the official policy of the Department of the Army, Department of Defense, or the U.S. Government. The mention of any non-federal entity and/or its products is not to be construed or interpreted, in any manner, as federal endorsement of that non-federal entity or its products. Featured companies. 101 Army Pentagon Washington, DC 20310-0101

General Dynamics Mission Systems
May 29th, 2026
A day in the life of a mechanical engineer in Pittsfield, Massachusetts.

A day in the life of a mechanical engineer in Pittsfield, Massachusetts. Aaron Lee is a mechanical engineer who supports fire control systems for U.S. Navy submarines at its Pittsfield, Massachusetts facility A career in defense engineering. From engineering drawings to field solutions, one mechanical engineer shares what it's really like to work at General Dynamics Mission Systems in Pittsfield, Massachusetts. When Aaron Lee joined General Dynamics Mission Systems as a mechanical engineer II at the Pittsfield, Massachusetts, office, he came with curiosity, technical skills and a lot of questions. Six months in, he's already found his rhythm - and a team that helped him get there. A day in the life. For Aaron, no two days look exactly the same. His work spans a dynamic mix of technical review and hands-on problem solving. "In a typical day at work, I'm looking at a lot of documents - engineering drawings - and sometimes going into a lab to check configurations or active systems," he explains. As a sole contributor supporting mechanical engineering in Submarine Fire Control Systems, Aaron serves as a critical link between design intent and real-world execution. His work touches manufacturing, field sites and everything in between - making adaptability and attention to detail essential parts of his daily toolkit. The reward of real-world impact. What keeps Aaron motivated? The tangible, full-circle moments that come with solving complex challenges. Whether his team is identifying solutions for field sites or optimizing the manufacturing process, "It's really rewarding to see the results of our efforts," he said. In defense engineering, the stakes are high and the problems are real. For Aaron, knowing that his work directly contributes to operational outcomes is what makes the effort worthwhile. Skills that matter. When asked what qualities are essential for someone in his role, Aaron doesn't hesitate: communication tops the list - right alongside technical expertise. "We work with field sites across the country," he notes. "Communications is key, in addition to engineering skills, for someone doing this kind of position." It's a reminder that great engineering isn't just about what you know - it's about how effectively you can collaborate, listen and translate complex problems into actionable solutions across teams and locations. Eyes on the future. Aaron is just getting started, and he knows it. While he's currently thriving as a sole contributor, he has his sights set on growth. "Right now, I'm a sole contributor for our team, but hopefully in a couple of years I'm excited to see things at a systematic or programmatic level - break out of the contributor role," he shares. It's the kind of forward-thinking mindset that General Dynamics Mission Systems is built to nurture, offering engineers clear pathways to expand their impact and take on greater leadership responsibilities over time. A culture that welcomes new energy. Perhaps what stands out most in Aaron's story is how supported he felt from day one - even as a brand-new employee navigating a complex, mission-critical environment. "I only started about six months ago, so I had a lot of questions coming new into the position," he recalls. "People are very nice here. Everyone's willing to help out. There is a culture of trying to make each other better in what they do. As a new employee, I appreciated that a lot." That culture of collaboration and mentorship isn't accidental - it's a reflection of General Dynamics Mission Systems commitment to developing talent at every level. Ready to build your career at General Dynamics Mission Systems? If you're an engineer looking for meaningful work, a collaborative culture, and room to grow, Aaron's story is just one example of what's possible at General Dynamics Mission Systems. With locations across Massachusetts - including Pittsfield, Dedham, Quincy, and Taunton - opportunities are closer than you think.