Contingent-Principal - Program Management

Job Title: Principal, Program Management

Job Code: 38947

Job Location: Nashville, TN

Job Schedule: 9/80: Employees work 9 out of every 14 days – totaling 80 hours worked – and have every other Friday off 

Role is contingent upon hire

Job Description:

The Senior Program Manager will lead execution of international Counter-Unmanned Aircraft System (cUAS) programs, with an initial focus on Middle East customers and strategic growth initiatives. This position is responsible for overall program execution, customer satisfaction, financial performance, schedule adherence, risk management, and cross-functional coordination across Engineering, Manufacturing, Supply Chain, Quality, Contracts, and Business Development.

The successful candidate will serve as the primary program execution lead for complex defense programs involving integrated weapon systems, sensors, communications, software, and vehicle-based mission systems. This individual must be capable of operating in a fast-paced environment while engaging directly with international customers, government stakeholders, and strategic partners.

Essential Functions:

• Lead execution of international cUAS programs from contract award through delivery, fielding, and sustainment.
• Serve as the primary customer interface for Middle East defense customers and key stakeholders.
• Develop and maintain Integrated Master Schedules (IMS), cost forecasts, risk registers, and program execution plans.
• Manage program scope, cost, schedule, and technical performance to achieve contractual commitments and financial objectives.
• Coordinate cross-functional teams including Engineering, Manufacturing, Supply Chain, Quality, Test, and Field Operations.
• Drive risk identification, mitigation planning, and issue resolution across the program lifecycle.
• Support customer demonstrations, operational evaluations, training events, and fielding activities.
• Lead program reviews, executive briefings, customer status meetings, and milestone reviews.
• Monitor subcontractor and supplier performance to ensure delivery commitments are met.
• Support proposal development, capture activities, Basis of Estimate (BOE) development, and transition from capture to execution.
• Ensure compliance with contractual requirements, export regulations, security requirements, and company policies.
• Support strategic growth initiatives and expansion of international cUAS capabilities and product offerings.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s Degree and a minimum of 12 years of prior relevant experience. Graduate Degree and a minimum of 10 years of prior related experience. In lieu of a degree, minimum of 16 years of prior related experience.
• Bachelor's Degree in Engineering, Business, Program Management, or related discipline.
• Minimum 10 years of program management experience supporting defense, aerospace, or national security programs.
• Minimum 10 years experience managing complex hardware and software development and production programs.
• Minimum 10 years experience  executing programs for international customers, Foreign Military Sales (FMS), or Direct Commercial Sales (DCS).
• Minimum 10 years experience managing programs involving integrated weapon systems, mission systems, sensors, communications, or air defense technologies.
• Minimum 10 years experience managing cost, schedule, technical performance, and customer relationships simultaneously.
• Ability to travel internationally and support customer engagements in the Middle East.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. Secret Clearance.

Preferred Additional Skills:

• Strong executive communication and presentation skills
• PMP certification.

• Experience with Counter-Unmanned Aircraft Systems (cUAS), Air and Missile Defense, Integrated Air Defense Systems, or tactical mission systems.
• Experience supporting Middle East customers, including UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, or other GCC nations.
• Familiarity with defense acquisition processes, export compliance, ITAR, and international contracting.
• Experience transitioning products from development through production and sustainment.
• Master's Degree in Engineering, Business Administration, or related field.

Desired Leadership Attributes

• Strong ownership mentality and bias for execution.
• Ability to operate independently with limited oversight.
• Effective collaborator across engineering, operations, and business functions.
• Comfortable engaging executive leadership and international customers.
• Demonstrated ability to lead through ambiguity and rapidly changing priorities.
• Results-oriented leader focused on delivering customer commitments while driving profitable growth.

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