Senior Program Manager, Infrared Sensors

Within HRL’s Vision Systems Laboratory, we are dedicated to advancing the United States’ homeland security through the development of world-class infrared sensor systems for aerospace and defense. Our mission-driven team tackles complex engineering challenges, delivering solutions that enhance national capabilities. Combining cutting-edge research with a commitment to excellence, we transform emerging requirements into mission-ready, high-performance products.

Position Summary:

Senior Program Manager will successfully manage complex programs, drive strategic initiatives, and lead cross-functional teams. This role provides end-to-end accountability for cost, schedule, technical performance, and contractual compliance, and serves as the primary customer-facing lead for high-visibility efforts. The ideal candidate has extensive experience in government contracting, development-to-production transitions, and managing multidisciplinary engineering teams in a fast-paced aerospace/semiconductor environment.

Essential Duties:

•    Serve as the primary customer point of contact and customer-facing program manager responsible for overall program execution, customer communication, cost, schedule, and performance.
•    Develop and maintain strong working relationships with government customers and large defense prime contractors, ensuring high levels of customer satisfaction, trust, and alignment.
•    Lead diverse technical teams in executing multiple government and/or industry prime programs through all phases of design, development, integration, test, and production.
•    Develop and manage program plans, schedules, and milestones; monitor program performance; identify risks and issues; and proactively implement mitigation strategies to ensure successful execution.
•    Coordinate cross-functional and cross-portfolio activities to ensure alignment across engineering, operations, business development, and customer stakeholders.
•    Direct the work of functional leads and administrative staff assigned to programs.
•    Prepare and present program status, risks, and execution updates to senior management, customers, and government officials.
•    Lead proposal efforts, support capture activities, and manage customer growth opportunities.
•    Ensure compliance with all applicable federal regulations, contractual requirements, and company policies, including FAR and DFARS.

Required Qualifications:

•    10 years of increasing responsibility in program/project management in defense, aerospace, or semiconductor hardware environments.
•    Demonstrated experience serving as a primary customer interface and/or program manager for government and large defense prime customers.
•    Proven experience as the primary customer interface with government program offices and/or major defense primes.
•    Strong background in systems engineering and hardware development lifecycles, including transition from R&D to production.
•    Experience leading multidisciplinary teams and coordinating execution across engineering, operations, and supply chain.
•    Proficiency in risk and opportunity management practices, including formal risk registers and mitigation plans.
•    Hands-on experience with EVMS, CAM, IBRs, variance analysis, and EAC management.
•    Excellent communication, leadership, and stakeholder management skills.
•    Proficient with MS Office and scheduling tools (MS Project or Primavera).
•    Bachelor’s degree in engineering, Physics, Math, or related technical discipline; advanced degree preferred.

Preferred Qualifications:

•    Experience in infrared sensors, focal plane arrays, or semiconductor fabrication/test environments.
•    Experience on classified programs and familiarity with security requirements.
•    Certifications: PMP/PgMP, INCOSE CSEP, or equivalent.
•    Knowledge of AS9100, Lean/Six Sigma, and supplier quality management.

Special Requirements:

•    US Citizenship with the ability to obtain and maintain a US Government security clearance
•    Compliance with export controls

Compensation and Benefits:

• Pay Range: $193,700 - $248,250


• Our salary ranges are determined by role, level, and location (California). The range displayed on each job posting reflects the target range for new hire salaries for the position. Within the range, individual pay is determined by work location and additional factors, including job-related skills, experience, and relevant education or training. Your recruiter can share more about the specific salary range during the hiring process

• Benefits: HRL offers a generous and very competitive total compensation and benefits package. Our Regular/Full Time benefits include medical, dental, vision, life insurance, 401K match, gym facilities, PTO, Sick time, upward mobility, and an exciting and challenging work environment


• For more information about our company benefit offerings please visit: https://www.hrl.com/careers/benefits

Non-Discrimination and Equal Employment Opportunities (U.S.)

Don’t meet every single requirement? Studies have shown that some people are less likely to apply to jobs unless they meet every single desired qualification. At HRL, we are dedicated to building a diverse, inclusive, and authentic workplace, so if you’re excited about this role but your past experience doesn’t align perfectly with every qualification in the job description, we encourage you to apply anyway. You may be just the right candidate for this or other roles.

We are proud to be an EEO/AA employer M/F/D/V. We maintain a drug-free workplace and perform pre-employment substance abuse testing. 

If you would like more information about Equal Employment Opportunity as an applicant under the law, please go to Employees & Job Applicants | U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission

For our privacy policy please visit: www.hrl.com/privacy

We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.