Project Planner

A rapidly growing aerospace manufacturer in the Orange County, California area is hiring a Sr. Program Planner to support some of the most advanced satellite and space-system programs in the country. This team designs, builds, launches, and operates state-of-the-art spacecraft for national defense and commercial customers. If you want to work on programs that truly push boundaries, you’ll fit right in.

About the Role

The Sr. Program Planner will help establish and refine the organization’s program planning and scheduling infrastructure. You’ll play a critical role in developing processes, performance metrics, KPIs, EVMS reporting, and standard operating cadence across a portfolio of high-priority programs. This position reports directly to the Master Program Planner Manager.

What You’ll Do

• Build and standardize schedule management processes, guidelines, and MS Project controls
• Lead the rollout and execution of a full Earned Value Management System (EVMS)
• Partner with Program Managers and engineering teams to integrate multiple parallel, interdependent programs
• Identify critical path elements and develop mitigation strategies
• Drive cross-functional collaboration across Engineering, Finance, Operations, Supply Chain, and Program Management
• Develop and maintain a robust schedule management system that supports portfolio oversight
• Track program timelines, risks, status changes, and dependencies
• Flag schedule delays early and facilitate corrective action
• Translate customer requirements into the Integrated Master Schedule (IMS)
• Support proposal activity and new program bids
• Document scheduling processes and maintain schedule libraries
• Assist IPT teams with day-to-day decision-making, risk mitigation, and issue resolution

What You Bring

• 5 years as a Program Planner or Scheduler in aerospace, space systems, defense, or advanced engineering environments
• Strong knowledge of EVMS reporting, metrics, and performance calculations
• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, business, management, or related discipline
• Experience maintaining complex program schedules through full program lifecycles
• U.S. Person status (due to export regulations)

Preferred Qualifications

• PMI-SP or related scheduling certification
• Advanced proficiency in MS Project, Primavera, Open Plan, or similar tools
• Experience building schedules for advanced tech or aerospace programs
• Ability to communicate and collaborate effectively across multiple engineering disciplines
• Strong organizational and time-management skills