Associate Program Manager

Req Id: 424

Location:

AURORA, IL, US, 60504

Date: Jun 29, 2026

Thales Defense & Security, Inc. (TDSI) Headquartered in Clarksburg, MD, is a U.S. company that has been serving domestic and international defense Air, Land and Sea domains for 60 years. With over 1,000 employees, TDSI and its four subsidiaries (Advanced Acoustic Concepts, Digital Receiver Technology, Tampa Microwave, and Trusted Cyber Technologies), supports U.S. Joint Services, special operations forces and multi-national partners with a variety of communication, visualization, signal intelligence/electronic warfare, and sensor/sonar capabilities. TDSI’s key technologies include tactical handheld radios, expeditionary satellite terminals, helmet-mounted displays, optics and target recognition capability, advanced radars, undersea sensing and missile systems. Lives depend on what we do!

Top Benefits (Subject to terms of applicable policies/plans)

• Competitive Salary
• Yearly Incentive Compensation Plan
• Medical insurance for self and eligible family members
• Generous 401(k) program - up to 7% company contribution and 100% immediate vesting
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Paid wellness, vacation, and holiday leave
• Paid maternity, paternity, and parental leave
• 9/80 Work Schedule (every other Friday off)
• Hybrid working environment
  
  

The Helmet Mounted Display (HMD) business unit of Thales Defense & Security, Inc. is a leading innovator in helmet mounted display technology. We have an opening for an Associate Program Manager (PM) in our Aurora, IL office to support development and production programs in the military market.

This position will report to the Director of Program Management and requires close coordination with other departments including Engineering, Production, Quality Assurance, Finance, Business Development, and Contracts. Coordination with Thales Group offices in other countries may also be required to successfully execute joint programs.

Responsibilities

• Management of multiple assigned projects ensuring compliance with all Thales program management processes and procedures, including development of program plans, task definitions, schedules, budgets, program technical requirements, resource requirements and risk management on all assigned programs.
• Provision of timely reporting to senior program management leadership with details on program status and performance.
• Conduct regular cross-functional meetings to review status towards objectives and identify issues early in the program.
• Responsible for customer communication and satisfaction, including follow-on business quotes and proposals.
• Management of technical and financial risks and ability to lead/conduct of technical reviews.
• Responsible for acting as Capture Lead for specific proposal efforts, while supporting additional proposal efforts with budget and schedule information.
• Responsible for ensuring coordination of activities with subcontractors, vendors and suppliers as necessary to support assigned programs.
• Responsible for ensuring effective scope directions from the customer and suppliers are appropriately processed through the contract.
• Coordinate and foster proper communication between the customer and the program team.
  
  

Qualifications

The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• U.S. Citizenship required. - Applicants selected may be subject to a government security investigation and must meet eligibility requirements for access to classified information.
• Bachelor’s degree required, preferably in related technical field.
• Minimum of 2 - 4 years’ experience as an engineer (software, electrical, mechanical, systems, etc.). Previous Program Management experience preferred.
• Basic accounting and financial knowledge and profit-oriented business sense as well as effective negotiating skills.
• Excellent organizational skills and work ethic.
• Ability to work in a team environment and interact with employees in all departments and functions.
• Computer proficiency required and experience with Microsoft Project or equivalent.
• Excellent written and verbal communications skills with experience managing small teams, working effectively in a matrix team structure, setting business growth objectives and achieving results.
• Ability to travel up to 25% domestically and internationally.
  
  

Preferred Qualifications

• US government/ DOD contracting experience/ understanding of required processes for reporting through major defense contractors highly preferred.
• Commercial Avionics Industry background.
• Experience working cross functionally along with a familiarity of full product lifecycle for complex systems.
• Experience with avionics modification programs for either fixed and/or rotary wing.
• EVMS experience.
• PMP certification.
• Conversational fluency in French or Korean.
  
  

The annualized pay range for this role is $88,562-$113,163 USD along with a target incentive compensation plan (ICP) of 10%. The pay range provided is a good faith estimate representative of the experience level for the role described above. TDSI considers several factors when extending an offer, including but not limited to, the role, function and associated responsibilities, a candidate’s work experience, location, education/training, and key skills.

For specific questions about this job posting, candidates may contact the recruiter at careers@thalesdsi.com.

Thales Defense & Security, Inc. is committed to non-discrimination as applicable under federal, state and local laws. We are an E-Verify Employer.

If you need an accommodation or assistance in order to apply for a position with Thales Defense & Security, Inc., please call Human Resources at 202-961-1016.

Nearest Major Market: Aurora

Nearest Secondary Market: Chicago