Program Manager

Voyager Technologies, Inc. • San Diego, CA

9d • $140,000 - $193,000

About The Position

Voyager Technologies is seeking a Program Manager with a strong engineering background to lead complex embedded systems programs supporting defense and space applications. The role calls for a hands-on technical program leader who can work closely with engineering teams, understand technical tradeoffs, and drive disciplined execution across cost, schedule, scope, risk, compliance, and customer commitments.

The Program Manager will operate in a fast-paced, resource-constrained, and potentially ambiguous environment, bringing structure, urgency, and accountability while working across engineering, manufacturing, supply chain, quality, contracts, finance, business development, customers, and executive leadership. The position is suited to someone comfortable taking on varied responsibilities, proactively solving problems, and driving outcomes without waiting for complete information.

Requirements

• Must be able to obtain and maintain a U.S. Security Clearance at the appropriate level; requires U.S. citizenship.
• Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering, computer engineering, aerospace engineering, systems engineering, mechanical engineering, or another related engineering discipline.
• Engineering background and experience with complex technical programs involving embedded systems, avionics, electronics, hardware/software integration, or similar mission-critical products.
• At least 3 years of experience in program management, technical program management, engineering program leadership, or related roles supporting complex technical programs.
• Experience supporting defense, space, or other highly regulated technical environments.
• Demonstrated ability to lead cross-functional teams in a fast-paced, resource-constrained, or startup-like environment.
• Strong understanding of technical scope, program cost, schedule, risk, customer deliverables, and execution tradeoffs.
• Experience reviewing or supporting contracts, statements of work, deliverable requirements, milestones, and customer obligations.
• Working knowledge of DFARS, prime contracts, subcontractor flow-downs, and government contracting environments.
• Familiarity with ITAR and export-controlled program environments.
• Ability to bring structure to ambiguous situations and drive execution with limited data or direction.
• Strong attention to detail, organizational discipline, and follow-through.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including communicating technical program status, risks, and recommendations to senior leadership and customers.
• Experience managing defense and/or space programs under different contract types, including firm-fixed-price and cost-plus, and working knowledge of Earned Value Management principles and cost/schedule performance tracking.
• Willingness and ability to support program needs outside normal business hours when required, including time-sensitive customer, supplier, or internal execution activities.

Nice To Haves

• Experience in a startup, growth-stage, or small-company environment where leaders are expected to be hands-on and work across multiple functions.
• Experience leading program recovery, corrective action planning, or turnaround efforts for programs facing cost, schedule, technical, execution, or customer satisfaction challenges.
• Prior experience as an engineer, systems engineer, technical lead, engineering manager, or technical program manager.
• Experience supporting programs for prime contractors, government customers, or major defense and space customers.
• Experience with embedded software, electronics, avionics, spacecraft systems, defense electronics, communications systems, mission systems, or other mission-critical hardware/software products.
• Experience supporting proposals, customer negotiations, change orders, contract modifications, and program financial reviews.
• Advanced degree in engineering, business, or a related technical field.

Responsibilities

• Lead planning, execution, and delivery of embedded systems programs for defense and space customers.
• Own program performance across cost, schedule, technical scope, risk, quality, contractual deliverables, and customer satisfaction.
• Work with engineering teams to understand technical requirements, assess tradeoffs, identify risks, and align execution with customer and contract requirements.
• Develop and maintain integrated program plans, schedules, risk registers, action trackers, customer deliverable trackers, and executive-level status reporting.
• Drive cross-functional execution across engineering, manufacturing, supply chain, quality, contracts, finance, business development, and customer-facing teams.
• Identify program risks, dependencies, and blockers early; develop mitigation plans and drive issues to closure.
• Make informed decisions in ambiguous environments with incomplete data, while refining assumptions, plans, and priorities.
• Lead recovery efforts for challenged programs by establishing priorities, improving execution discipline, driving accountability, and restoring stable and predictable program performance.
• Support contract review, proposal input, statements of work, deliverables, milestones, and customer communications.
• Partner with contracts and leadership to align program execution with prime contract requirements, subcontractor flow-downs, customer expectations, and applicable compliance obligations.
• Support compliance with applicable government contracting, export control, and defense program requirements, including DFARS and ITAR-related processes.
• Communicate program status, risks, tradeoffs, and recommendations to internal leadership, external customers, and other key stakeholders.
• Build customer relationships through disciplined execution, proactive communication, transparency, and ownership of outcomes.
• Promote accountability, urgency, attention to detail, and continuous improvement across assigned programs.

Benefits

• Flexible Time Off (FTO).
• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage for employees and their families; the company covers a significant portion of premiums, and many benefits are paid at 100% for employees.
• Flexible, affordable gym memberships with more than 12,700 nationwide options, with no long-term contracts and free on-demand workout videos before enrollment.
• 401(k) plan with a 50% company match on contributions up to 8%.
• Company wellness programs supporting physical and mental well-being.
• Additional voluntary benefits and employee support resources.
• Incentive plan eligibility.
• Opportunity to work alongside a highly talented team in an innovative, mission-driven environment.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level