Senior Technical Program Manager - Hardware Systems

About This Opportunity

Catania Product Development is seeking a Senior Technical Program Manager - Hardware Systems to lead complex hardware development efforts across multiple concurrent programs.

This role is intended for a technically degreed professional who brings systems engineering experience along with prior responsibility in Project Engineer and Program/Project Manager roles.

The right candidate can move comfortably between technical coordination, customer communication, proposal support, schedule ownership, labor planning, and execution follow-through. This person must be capable of managing layered stakeholders, maintaining continuity across active and emerging work, and helping drive technically demanding programs from early definition through execution.

This role is best suited for individuals who prefer autonomy and are comfortable being accountable for their outcomes and owning each project’s success.

This role requires US Citizenship.

About Catania

Catania Product Development is an innovative product design and engineering services company operating in a fast-paced, high-tech, and creative environment. We offer a family-friendly atmosphere, flexible work structure, and the opportunity to take real ownership of challenging projects from concept through build, integration, and test. Our culture is built on trust, autonomy, reliability, and shared success, making it a strong fit for people who want meaningful responsibility and the ability to directly influence outcomes. Our work is especially rewarding for those who value accountability, enjoy solving hard problems, and find fulfillment in seeing products come to life from start to finish. Many of our efforts support start-ups and small-to-medium businesses, giving team members the chance to help turn ideas into real, working products across a diverse range of applications.

Core Responsibilities

Program Execution & Coordination

·       Lead and coordinate multiple concurrent hardware development programs with varying scopes, timelines, and stakeholder layers

·       Develop and maintain program schedules, action trackers, priorities, and execution plans

·       Monitor program status

·       Identify risks early and employ mitigation strategies

·       Support labor forecasting, resource planning, and workload visibility across active efforts

·       Help maintain alignment between scope, schedule, staffing, and customer expectations

·       Maintain the contractual baseline and manage change

Systems Engineering & Technical Leadership

·       Apply systems engineering judgment across hardware development efforts, including requirements understanding, technical coordination, integration planning, and verification support

·       Support projects through development, integration, test, and delivery

·       Help translate customer and system needs into actionable technical tasks and coordinated workstreams

·       Contribute to structured development processes and disciplined technical execution

·       Engage cross-functional teams spanning mechanical, electrical, software, manufacturing, and related disciplines

·       Drive issues to prompt closure and work with the team on solutions

Proposal, Scope & Customer Follow-Up

·       Support proposal development, follow-up actions, and technical/customer coordination associated with new and ongoing opportunities

·       Contribute to statement of work (SOW) development, scope refinement, and technical planning

·       Support ROMs, cost estimation, labor planning, and related program inputs

·       Help maintain continuity with customers through responsive communication and strong relationship management

·       Contribute to business development follow-up efforts in coordination with leadership

·       Bring in follow-on business based on crisp execution

Supplier & External Coordination

·       Coordinate with vendors, fabrication partners, suppliers, and external stakeholders as needed to support execution

·       Track external dependencies and help maintain realistic timelines and expectations

·       Support technical communication and follow-up with outside partners throughout project execution

Communication & Accountability

·       Communicate clearly through multiple methods (text, email, phone, etc.) with customers, leadership, and internal technical teams

·       Maintain strong organization across multiple simultaneous programs and priorities

·       Drive actions to closure with no oversight

·       Represent Catania professionally in technical and program-facing interactions

Required Qualifications

Technical Foundation

·       Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or relevant technical engineering discipline

·       10 years of experience in technical leadership roles supporting hardware-based product or system development

·       Demonstrated systems engineering experience

·       Demonstrated experience serving in Project Engineer and Program/Project Manager roles

·       Experience supporting hardware systems through requirements generation, development, integration, test, and delivery

Program & Execution Capability

·       Strong proficiency with Microsoft Project

·       Experience with labor forecasting, resource planning, and workload balancing

·       Experience with cost estimation, ROM development, budgeting inputs, or related project financial planning

·       Ability to manage multiple concurrent programs with multiple layers of stakeholders, priorities, and reporting needs

·       Strong attention to detail, organization, and ability to manage competing priorities effectively

Customer, Proposal & Cross-Functional Experience

·       Experience supporting proposals, SOW development, and technical/customer follow-up

·       Experience supporting business development continuity and relationship management

·       Familiarity with cross-functional teams spanning mechanical, electrical, software, and manufacturing

·       Experience working with vendors, fabrication partners, suppliers, and other external partners

·       Experience with requirements management, verification planning, and structured development processes

Work Style & Communication

·       Self-directed and dependable

·       Strong written and verbal communication skills

·       Able to operate effectively in a flexible, fast-paced environment with limited oversight

·       Comfortable balancing technical depth with program-level coordination and external-facing communication

·       Experience managing stakeholder interactions

Preferred Qualifications

·       EVMS familiarity or experience

·       Experience in commercial aviation, aerospace, defense tactical systems, or other technically demanding hardware environments

·       PMP certification

·       Hands-on experience supporting hardware integration, build, test, or prototype efforts

·       Experience working in environments requiring disciplined documentation, technical traceability, and structured execution

·       Root Cause Corrective Action experience

Work Environment & Expectations

Catania operates on trust, autonomy, and accountability. Contractors are engaged to deliver high-value work, communicate clearly, and manage responsibilities professionally across multiple active efforts. As contracts evolve, we often offer contractors an opportunity as a part-time or full-time employee.

This role requires regular in-person collaboration and is expected to be based in the Melbourne office at least 3 days per week. Additional on-site presence may be needed based on program demands, customer interactions, hardware activities, and team coordination needs. Travel beyond central Florida is not anticipated but if it is required for the success of a project, it would be expected as part of this role (up to 10%).

Success in this position depends on sound judgment, follow-through, responsiveness, and the ability to support both technical execution and strong customer continuity.

Additional Information

·       This role may be structured as either a full-time employee (W-2) position with benefits or an independent contractor (1099) with path to hire, depending on candidate fit and business needs.

·       Scope, duration, and engagement structure will be defined in the contract agreement.

·       This description outlines general responsibilities and does not constitute a contract of employment or guarantee of ongoing engagement.

·       Role requires that you must be a US Citizen

Responsibilities may evolve based on project needs