What are the responsibilities and job description for the Program Manager position at Kratos Defense?
GENERAL JOB SUMMARY:
The Program Manager leads complex defense technology, sustainment, modernization, and integration efforts in support of U.S. Government customers. The selected candidate will be responsible for the planning, execution, and delivery of technically complex programs involving advanced systems, engineering, integration, testing, production, and sustainment activities. This role is critical to ensuring technical excellence, disciplined program execution, cost and schedule performance, and alignment with customer mission objectives.
The Program Manager will oversee multidisciplinary efforts spanning systems engineering, design and development, integration and test, manufacturing, logistics, and sustainment planning. Responsibilities include leading cross-functional internal teams, managing program cost, schedule, performance, and risk, coordinating with Government customers and stakeholders, and collaborating with industry and technology partners to successfully execute program requirements.
PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Lead execution of projects, managing cost, schedule, performance, and risk across multiple technical domains and phases (harvesting, prototyping, test, depot planning).
- Develop and manage integrated master schedules (IMS), work breakdown structures (WBS), and program management baselines in alignment with contractual milestones.
- Coordinate technical tasking and reviews across IPTs.
- Manage government and subcontractor relationships, serving as primary interface for all programmatic matters, including milestone reviews and performance reporting.
- Ensure alignment between engineering execution and government requirements for readiness, affordability, and technical data control.
- Lead development of proposals, ROMs, and scope expansions for follow-on phases and associated radar sustainment efforts.
- Support strategic business development by identifying opportunities to expand adjacent radar sustainment and modernization programs.
- Provide strategic thinking towards technical innovation and customer engagement.
- Maintain ongoing communication with team, suppliers, customers, and leadership.
- Ensure compliance with government program standards, data rights management, cybersecurity, and technical baseline control processes.
ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:
- Create and maintain program plans, cost models, and resource forecasts.
- Communicate and support internal and external resources (staff, facilities, and equipment).
- Create project milestone plans, schedules, and contract work breakdown structures as appropriate.
- Responsible for project budget, schedule, monitoring, and completion of goals and milestones in accordance with approved plans.
- Conduct recurring reviews of technical progress, financial, and risk mitigation plans.
- Oversee development of program artifacts including CONOPS, digital engineering deliverables, and sustainment documentation.
- Engage directly with government stakeholders to ensure timely resolution of issues, alignment with shipyard schedules, and program objectives.
- Coordinate across Kratos internal divisions and external OEMs to ensure seamless execution and technical continuity.
- Travel as needed to government sites, radar facilities, and Kratos integration locations (up to 25%).
EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:
Required Qualifications:
- BS/BA degree
- Minimum of 15 years of experience in defense programs, with at least 3 years in program or technical leadership roles.
- Demonstrated experience managing complex Department of War hardware-intensive projects (e.g., radar, EW, or C5ISR systems).
- Working knowledge of government acquisition practices and sustainment planning (e.g., INCO, ILS, depot stand-up, shipyard coordination).
- U.S. Citizenship required.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Active DoD Secret clearance.
- Prior experience supporting NSWC Crane, PEO IWS, or NAVSEA programs.
- Familiarity with Department of War radar systems.
- Knowledge of digital engineering, MBSE, or advanced manufacturing as applied to radar systems.
- PMP certification or equivalent.
WORK ENVIROMENT / PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:
- Primary working environment is an office setting. Able to work sitting or standing at desk and operate a computer via standard input devices such as using a keyboard and reading information on a monitor
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