Technical Program Manager

Key Responsibilities

Align cross-functional teams—including engineering, manufacturing, quality, and supply chain— on program goals, timelines, and deliverables to ensure seamless execution from concept through production.
Serve as the primary technical liaison for customers, translating feedback into actionable engineering tasks and ensuring alignment with program objectives and requirements.
Represent technical content clearly and effectively to internal stakeholders and external partners, including customers, suppliers, and sister companies.
Support proposal and business capture efforts for new and existing customers by defining requirements, performing feasibility studies, developing technical scope/budgets, drafting and presenting written proposals to internal and external leadership, and managing early-stage transition from acquisition to kickoff.
Coordinate joint development efforts across affiliated companies and business units, ensuring shared milestones, resources, and deliverables are met.
Support technical execution across engineering and manufacturing as needed to meet program objectives and timelines.
Identify, assess, and mitigate program risks early, implementing contingency plans to maintain schedule and technical performance.
Track program progress using project management tools, maintaining visibility on key milestones, budgets, and resource allocation.
Prepare dashboards, KPIs, and performance metrics for internal leadership and customer review to communicate program health and status.
Facilitate timely and informed decision-making by providing data-driven insights, technical context, and clear trade-off analyses to leadership and engineering teams.
Support the development and qualification of Canopy Technologies’ thermal protection materials and other product development initiatives across affiliated partners.
Travel to customer sites, test facilities, and partner locations as needed to support program execution and integration activities.

Required Qualifications

Ability to obtain a U.S. Security Clearance (Secret or higher). This includes meeting background check and other requirements, as required for access to controlled defense-related information and facilities.
Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or a related technical field, or equivalent industry experience working on cross-functional engineering teams.
5+ years of experience in technical program management or similar role with a high degree of technical ownership, preferably in aerospace, defense, or advanced materials industries.
Experience managing and executing on programs involving launch vehicles, missile systems, thermal protection systems, thermal design, and/or composite materials.
Proven leadership track record managing and owning complex, multi-disciplinary engineering products or systems from concept through delivery.
Demonstrated ability to lead joint programs across internal departments and external partners or customers.
Experience and comfortability working in CAD to support engineering collaboration.
Strong technical background with direct experience in thermal control systems, vibration isolation materials/subsystems, and/or radar absorption materials/subsystems, and the ability to understand and communicate complex engineering concepts.
Experience with risk management, milestone and performance (KPI) tracking, and project planning tools (e.g., MS Project, Jira, Confluence, Smartsheet).
Excellent documentation, communication, and interpersonal skills, including developing long-form technical reports and executive-level presentations.

Preferred Qualifications

Direct experience with Aerospace Thermal Protection Systems (TPS), ablatives, high-temperature composites, ceramic matrix composites (CMC), or advanced coatings systems. 
Familiarity with government contracting environments (as prime or sub), including FAR/DFARS-related processes. 
Active U.S. Security Clearance (Secret or higher).
Graduate-level technical degree, such as M.S. or PhD in a science or engineering discipline.
Familiarity with defense, aerospace, and space standards such as MIL-STD-810, RTCA/DO-160, SMS-S-016, or similar.
PMP or similar project management certification.
Experience with qualification and development testing, in addition to production testing environments.
Background in customer-facing roles or business development in a technical environment.
Hands-on experience working with advanced metallic and non-metallic materials including, but not limited to, super alloys, ceramics, composites, or elastomers.

Additional Requirements

Must have professional working proficiency reading, writing, and speaking English

Ability to work in office, lab, and manufacturing environments with occasional exposure to noise, chemicals, dust, industrial equipment, and temperature variations

Ability to sit or stand for extended periods while working at a computer workstation

Frequent use of hands and fingers for data entry, keyboarding, and mouse use

Ability to view computer screens for prolonged periods

Ability to communicate effectively in person, by phone, and via email

Ability to use a computer to complete assignments 

Willingness to work long hours and weekends when needed to meet critical deadlines

Willingness to travel to other Canopy A&D sites as needed

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, or skills required. Management may modify or assign additional duties as needed

Job Details

Type: Full Time, Exempt (Salaried)

Base Salary Range: $100,000 to $160,000

Business Hours: Core Business Hours

Base Location: Irvine, CA — Full Time, On-Site

Travel: Up to 15%