Technical Program Manager – Military Laser Systems

Arete Associates•Niwot, CO

1d•Onsite

About The Position

At Areté, we are on the forefront of developing innovative solutions, with great minds from all backgrounds, to help solve the nation’s most complex security challenges. We strive for an inclusive, collaborative team environment that approaches differences as opportunities for innovation and excellence. As an employee-owned company, we foster an atmosphere that propels diverse career opportunities and professional growth. We are seeking a seasoned Technical Program Manager who blends technical leadership with disciplined program execution from small R&D efforts and prototype development, through NPI/design transfer. The ideal candidate has hands-on experience leading Electro-Optic or Laser developments for military applications so the products can be transferred into repeatable, high-yield, cost-efficient production. You’ll serve as the technical and operational hub for development and NPI efforts, orchestrating engineering, manufacturing, quality, test, supply chain, finance, and customer stakeholders to deliver on cost, schedule, and performance. This position will be based at our Niwot, CO office and is classified as an exempt, non-supervisory, full-time role.

Requirements

5–10+ years managing technical programs across R&D through prototype and NPI, in defense or regulated electro-optics/laser environments.
Demonstrated leadership in optical/mechanical systems, precision pointing and tracking, passive/active imaging, and/or lasers
Proven success transitioning complex hardware from engineering development to production
Fluency reading technical drawings (GD&T), schematics, optical layouts, and navigating BOMs, part numbering, and revision control.
Comfortable with the basics of lasers, optics, and electronics
Experience building and managing schedules, budgets, and forecasts using MS Project and some familiarity with ERP/MRP systems
Excellent communication for technical/executive audiences; effective customer and supplier engagement.
Bachelor’s degree in Engineering (Mechanical, Electrical, Optical, Systems) or closely related field; PMP or equivalent experience.
U.S. citizenship is required to meet position eligibility.
Successful passage of a criminal background screen is required to meet position eligibility.
Selected applicants will be subject to a government security investigation and must meet eligibility requirements for access to classified information.
Successful passage of a Department of Transportation (DOT) drug test is required to meet position eligibility.

Nice To Haves

Hands-on background with solid-state/fiber/diode-pumped laser products, optical alignment, coatings, and precision assembly.
Familiarity with automation for alignment/test; experience with MATLAB/Python and modeling/simulation of physical systems.
Deep knowledge of MIL-STD-810 (environmental), MIL-STD-461 (EMI/EMC), laser safety standards, and defense qualification flows.
Master’s degree (Engineering or MBA) a plus.

Responsibilities

Own program delivery across multiple efforts (R&D, prototype, and LRIP) and support the transition to full-rate production).
Build and manage Integrated Master Plans/Schedules (IMP/IMS), budgets, and risk registers; drive closure on risks/opportunities.
Lead internal/customer reviews (PMRs, gate reviews) and manage contract deliverables, mods, and acceptance.
Support customer outreach/business development across engineering, program, director, and executive levels; shape roadmaps and capture activities aligned to company strategy (e.g., Areté).
Provide hands-on leadership across sensors, signal processing techniques and tools, control systems hardware/software, and modeling of physical phenomena.
Review and interpret mechanical/electro-optical drawings (GD&T), schematics, optical layouts, and BOMs; ensure requirements traceability and sound configuration control.
Mentor junior staff in engineering best practices; help incubate novel technologies and mature them into productizable solutions.
Lead the development, integration, and field/lab testing of laser prototypes; establish verification/validation plans.
Stand up prototype build flows, data collection, and lessons-learned to inform product design and manufacturability.
Drive design-for-manufacture/assembly/test (DFM/DFA/DFT) and readiness reviews; manage ECOs cleanly via PLM and configuration control.
Plan and execute pilot builds/FAIs, process validation, and manufacturing readiness (MRL) gates.
Establish stable work instructions, tooling/fixtures, alignment procedures, and automated test coverage.
Ensure compliance with ITAR/EAR, laser safety (ANSI Z136 / ISO 60825), and relevant MIL-STDs (e.g., 810, 461).
Support audits (internal, and customer); maintain disciplined documentation and production records.
Develop and qualify primary and secondary sources for key components (optics, pump diodes, laser crystals, precision machined parts, coatings, and electronics); manage suppliers for OTD, quality, and cost.
Mitigate single-source risk via dual-source strategies, buffers, and clear recovery plans.