Sr. Program Manager - Missile Defense

Posted 56 Minutes Ago
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Long Beach, CA, USA
In-Office
140K-250K Annually
Senior level
Aerospace • Artificial Intelligence • Hardware • Machine Learning • Software • Defense • Manufacturing
Delivering decisive capabilities for space superiority.
The Role
Leads complex missile defense programs from concept through deployment, managing cost, schedule, technical baselines, risks, customer relationships, cross-functional teams, proposals, program reviews, and subcontractors. Oversees program support functions and ensures contractual commitments, customer objectives, and national security mission outcomes are achieved. The role requires extensive aerospace or weapons-system lifecycle experience, large-scale contract management, customer engagement, and active security clearance.
Summary Generated by Built In

Space is a warfighting domain. True Anomaly seeks those with the talent and ambition to build the technology that secures it.

OUR MISSION

True Anomaly delivers decisive capabilities for space superiority. We build autonomous spacecraft, advanced payloads, mission software, and space-based interceptors — enabling the U.S. and its Allies to secure the space environment and counter threats from the ultimate high ground.

OUR VALUES

  • Be the offset. We create asymmetric advantages with creativity and ingenuity.
  • What would it take? We challenge assumptions to deliver ambitious results.
  • It’s the people. Our team is our competitive advantage and we are better together.

YOUR MISSION 

 True Anomaly is seeking a Senior Program Manager who will serve as a trusted partner to our customers, guiding mission-critical missile defense programs from concept to execution while seamlessly integrating technical, schedule, and cost baselines. In this customer-centric leadership role, you will foster strategic relationships, ensuring that customer needs are at the heart of every decision as you lead cross-functional teams, direct program support functions, and oversee subcontractor performance. You will work closely with the chief engineer and teams across systems engineering, mission operations, and program support to provide transparent, agile solutions that directly support our clients' goals. Your proven expertise in risk management, stakeholder engagement, and program execution will be key to advancing our national security mission and delivering exceptional value in the missile defense domain.

RESPONSIBILITIES 

  • Manage complex situations, delegate authority, lead and inspire your team, drive innovative thinking, instill collaboration, drive for success, challenge status quo, and demonstrate the ability to adapt to dynamic situations  
  • Create, implement, and own the coordinated program baseline (cost, schedule, technical) with the chief engineer  
  • Serve as a liaison, with other customer facing team members, between our company and our customers—developing deep relationships to understand their needs and align our program goals with their mission objectives. 
  • Lead cross-functional teams to successfully integrate and execute missile defense missions as well as deliver tailored products and services that meet and exceed customer expectations. 
  • Direct the responsibilities and activities of the program team including program management, systems engineering, communications and IT, mission operations, facilities management, security, safety, and contracts/financial/supply chain support functions  
  • Provide strategic direction and setting priorities that reflect customer goals while managing day-to-day issues to keep projects on time and within budget. 
  • Perform risk and issue assessments with a focus on minimizing customer impact, ensuring rapid resolution and transparent escalation when needed. 
  • Develop innovative solutions to resolve difficult program challenges including cost, schedule, and technical performance  
  • Deliver compelling presentations and lead preparations of bids, proposals, studies, and deliverables, effectively communicating our value proposition during customer reviews and engagements. 
  • Oversee and manage subcontractor activities to ensure all external contributions meet the high-quality standards our customers expect 
  • Develop and lead internal and external program management reviews  

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS 

  • Demonstrated experience delivering a complex space vehicle or weapons system through the entire engineering life cycle—from initial concept and design through integration, testing, and final deployment. 
  • A proven track record in building strong customer relationships through effective team building, conflict resolution, and communication—both internally and externally. 
  • Experience managing Department of War (DoW) or U.S. Space Force (USSF) contracts, especially those that require close coordination with the customer program office. 
  • Demonstrated experience managing large-scale, high-value contracts (typically $50M+), with deep expertise in the research and development phase including budget oversight, risk management, and milestone-driven execution. 
  • Hands-on experience managing risk and overseeing cost, schedule, and technical baselines in aerospace, engineering, or software development programs, all with a clear focus on delivering customer value. 
  • Strong analytical background with the evaluation of requests for proposals and/or quotes.  
  • Experience working within a cross-functional, geographically dispersed team environment to meet contractual commitments and create outstanding customer experiences. 
  • Active Secret and eligibility to obtain Top Secret/SCI Security Clearance 
  • Bachelor’s Degree and a minimum of 9 years of prior relevant experience; Or, Graduate Degree and a minimum of 7 years of prior related experience; Or, in lieu of a degree, a minimum of 13 years of prior related experience  

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS  

  • Master’s Degree  
  • Experience working missile defense, including experience with discrimination of threats from a target field and/or autonomous navigation of multi-object systems 
  • Demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously, ensuring that every project maintains a strong customer focus. 
  • Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with a strong background in customer interfacing and experience in National Security aerospace programs. 
  • Ability to establish new & further refining existing templates, tools, & guidelines for program documentation & execution  
  • Experience with ensuring compliance with approved Corporate and ISO 9001:2000 Policies and Processes  
  • Senior Program Manager: BS degree or higher in Management or Engineering or a related field is required plus 14 or more years related experience.  
  • Active TS/SCI US government security clearance with SCI eligibility strongly preferred  

COMPENSATION 

  • Base Salary: $140,000 - $250,000 
  • Equity + Benefits including Health, Dental, Vision, HRA/HSA options, PTO and paid holidays, 401K, Parental Leave  

Your actual level and base salary will be determined on a case-by-case basis and may vary based on the following considerations: job-related knowledge and skills, education, and experience 

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS 

  • Work Location—Successful candidates will be located near Long Beach. While we observe a hybrid work environment, some work must be done on site. 
  • Work environment—the work environment; temperature, noise level, inside or outside, or other factors that will affect the person's working conditions while performing the job. 
  • Physical demands—the physical demands of the job, including bending, sitting, lifting and driving. 

This position will be open until it is successfully filled. To submit your application, please follow the directions below. #LI-Hybrid 

 

To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) you must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident of the U.S., protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State.

True Anomaly is committed to equal employment opportunity on any basis protected by applicable state and federal laws. If you have a disability or additional need that requires accommodation, please do not hesitate to let us.


Skills Required

  • Experience delivering a complex space vehicle or weapons system through the full engineering lifecycle, including concept, design, integration, testing, and deployment.
  • Proven ability to build customer relationships through team building, conflict resolution, and internal and external communication.
  • Experience managing Department of War or U.S. Space Force contracts with close customer program-office coordination.
  • Experience managing large-scale, high-value contracts, typically $50 million or more.
  • Deep experience in research and development programs, including budget oversight, risk management, and milestone-driven execution.
  • Hands-on experience managing risk and cost, schedule, and technical baselines in aerospace, engineering, or software development programs.
  • Strong analytical background evaluating requests for proposals and/or quotes.
  • Experience working in cross-functional, geographically dispersed teams to meet contractual commitments.
  • Active Secret security clearance and eligibility to obtain Top Secret/SCI clearance.
  • Bachelor's degree and at least 9 years of relevant experience; or graduate degree and at least 7 years; or 13 years of relevant experience in lieu of a degree.
  • Master's degree.
  • Missile defense experience, including threat discrimination from a target field and/or autonomous navigation of multi-object systems.
  • Experience managing multiple projects simultaneously with a strong customer focus.
  • Exceptional written and verbal communication skills and customer interfacing experience in national security aerospace programs.
  • Ability to develop and refine templates, tools, and guidelines for program documentation and execution.
  • Experience ensuring compliance with corporate and ISO 9001:2000 policies and processes.
  • Bachelor's degree or higher in management, engineering, or a related field with 14 or more years of related experience.
  • Active TS/SCI U.S. government security clearance with SCI eligibility.

True Anomaly Compensation & Benefits Highlights

  • Affordable Benefits Healthcare is presented as 100% employer‑sponsored, covering medical, dental, and vision with HSA/HRA options highlighted. This materially reduces employee costs and is positioned as an uncommon plus for a growth‑stage firm.
  • Equity Value & Accessibility Roles include stock options so employees share in the company’s upside as part of total rewards. This ownership component complements cash pay and retirement options to enhance overall compensation.
  • Leave & Time Off Breadth Time off is described as generous, with references to flexible or unlimited PTO and mentions of 25 days annually plus U.S. holidays. Such breadth is intended to support rest and work‑life balance alongside flexible scheduling.

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The Company
HQ: Centennial, CO
300 Employees
Year Founded: 2022

What We Do

Space was once the quietest place in the universe. Now, it's crowded, contested, and confrontational.  We are True Anomaly: the only defense company focused exclusively on space defense. Founded in 2022 by ex-U.S. Space Force members, True Anomaly designs and builds advanced systems for space superiority: agile and powerful spacecraft platforms, mission software engineered for unmatched command and control, and payloads tailored for precision sensing and effects.    True Anomaly is headquartered in Centennial, CO, with regional offices in Colorado Springs, CO, Long Beach, CA, and Washington, D.C.  We are hiring and seeking exceptional talent to join True Anomaly, from any technical industry or background, to bring unique talents, perspective, and solutions. If you embrace complexity, lead instead of follow, showcase integrity over ego, take ownership for outcomes, and measure success by impact, we want to hear from you.

Why Work With Us

True Anomaly exists to enable a secure, stable, and sustainable space environment for the US, its allies, and partners. We design and build spacecraft and software solutions for space superiority. If you are ready to contribute to the future of space defense, we’d love to hear from you.

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True Anomaly Offices

Hybrid Workspace

Employees engage in a combination of remote and on-site work.

We are a hybrid office culture. Our employees work from offices in Denver, Colorado Springs, Los Angeles, and Washington D.C. We recognize the importance of in-office collaboration, but also the value of a flexible work and location requirements

Typical time on-site: Not Specified
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Mission Operations
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Engineering and Manufacturing
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Government Affairs and Sales
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