Thermal Protection System Program Manager

Leidos•Huntsville, AL

About The Position

Leidos’ Defense Systems Strategic Hypersonics Division is seeking an experienced Program Manager to lead critical initiatives within its Thermal Protection System (TPS) Program. The role advances hypersonic technologies involving high-temperature materials, composite manufacturing, and testing. The Program Manager drives execution across technical, schedule, cost, and contractual objectives while leading multidisciplinary teams and subcontractors across geographically dispersed locations. The position works in a collaborative, integrated “badge-less” environment and builds partnerships with a diverse government customer community, including AvMC, Sandia National Laboratories, the U.S. Navy, and the U.S. Army. The successful candidate provides strategic leadership and oversight of complex, specially funded initiatives and ensures alignment with program requirements, customer priorities, regulations, company policies, and program management processes.

Requirements

Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science degree and 15+ years of prior relevant experience, or a master’s degree and 13+ years of prior relevant experience.

Nice To Haves

Degree in Engineering, Business Management, or Project Management.
Experience supporting a multi-year development or production program valued at more than $100 million.
Flight programs experience, such as missile, space launch, or rocket launch systems.
Cost estimating and budget management experience.
Experience in Earned Value Management.
Disciplined, metric-driven program management experience.
Proven experience managing and meeting tight schedules.
Proficiency with Microsoft Excel, Word, Project, and PowerPoint.
Strong understanding of hardware development, manufacturing, procurement, production, and integration.
Project Management Professional (PMP) qualification or equivalent.

Responsibilities

Provide strategic leadership and oversight of complex, specially funded TPS initiatives, ensuring execution against technical, schedule, cost, and contractual objectives.
Lead program planning, execution, monitoring, and control, including integrated master schedules, budgets, resource plans, performance metrics, and deliverables.
Partner with engineering, manufacturing, and technical teams on high-temperature materials, composite manufacturing, material characterization, qualification, and testing.
Serve as a primary interface with government customers, including AvMC, Sandia National Laboratories, the U.S. Navy, and the U.S. Army.
Lead geographically dispersed, multidisciplinary teams across engineering, manufacturing, supply chain, finance, contracts, and program management.
Oversee subcontractor performance and address execution challenges to ensure alignment with requirements, technical objectives, delivery commitments, and cost expectations.
Manage program financial performance, including budget development, cost forecasting, financial analysis, Estimate at Completion (EAC), and efficiency and profitability improvements.
Identify, assess, and mitigate technical, schedule, cost, and execution risks; develop recovery strategies and pursue performance improvements.
Translate technical and contractual requirements into executable strategies while balancing priorities, resource constraints, and changing customer needs.
Ensure compliance with contractual requirements, applicable government regulations, company policies, and program management processes.
Deliver program performance updates, strategic recommendations, and executive-level briefings to internal leaders and government stakeholders.
Lead evaluation and implementation of changing requirements, scope, and customer priorities while minimizing impacts to cost, schedule, and technical performance.
Champion process improvements, accountability, and data-driven decision-making.
Foster collaboration, innovation, ownership, and operational excellence in support of national defense priorities.