Senior Defense Systems Program Manager

Senior Defense Systems Program ManagerOn-site in Carlsbad, CAOur client seeks a senior, technically oriented Defense Systems Program Manager to own complex sensing-related programs and potentially a broader portfolio.

The role requires a technical leader who transitioned into program management, can understand the technology deeply enough to challenge engineering leadership, and will maintain responsibility for overall program execution within classified SAP and SCI environments.Due to federal security clearance requirements, applicant must be a United States Citizen with an active Top Secret clearance. Due to client requirements, applicants must be willing and able to work on a w2 basis. For our w2 consultants, we offer a great benefits package that includes Medical, Dental, and Vision benefits, 401k with company matching, and life insurance.Rate: $100 to $125/hr. w2Responsibilities:Own defense programs or portfolios from technical strategy through execution.Serve as the primary accountable leader for program performance.Understand the organization's technical vision and proactively drive execution against it.Work closely with Project Engineers, architects, and technical leadership.Challenge technical assumptions, schedules, risks, and engineering approaches when appropriate.Manage complex customer and stakeholder relationships.Coordinate program priorities across engineering, leadership, customers, and mission stakeholders.Proactively identify opportunities, risks, and next steps rather than waiting for assigned tasks.Navigate classified program environments, including SAP and SCI programs.Experience Requirements:Approximately 10-12+ years of relevant engineering, program-management, or defense-systems experience.Strong technical foundation, ideally beginning as an engineer or technical systems professional.Experience leading complex defense technology programs.Experience with radar, RF, sensing, ISR, electronic warfare, or similarly complex technical systems preferred.Demonstrated experience operating within Special Access Program (SAP) and SCI environments.Ability to understand sophisticated engineering efforts without needing to personally write code.Executive-level communication and stakeholder-management skills.Strong ownership mentality and ability to operate autonomously.Skills, experience, and other compensable factors will be considered when determining pay rate. The pay range provided in this posting reflects a W2 hourly rate; other employment options may be available that may result in pay outside of the provided range. W2 employees of Eliassen Group who are regularly scheduled to work 30 or more hours per week are eligible for the following benefits: medical (choice of 3 plans), dental, vision, pre-tax accounts, other voluntary benefits including life and disability insurance, 401(k) with match, and sick time if required by law in the worked-in state/locality.About Eliassen Group: Eliassen Group is a strategic consulting firm that helps organizations reach further and achieve more through our technology, business advisory, and life sciences solutions. For nearly 40 years, we have combined exceptional people, deep domain expertise, and intelligent capabilities to expand our clients' capacity and accelerate meaningful outcomes. We are driven by a purpose to positively impact the lives of our employees, clients, consultants, and the communities we serve. Eliassen is committed to building a diverse and inclusive team from a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills. We are an Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer and all employment decisions are based on merit, performance, and business needs. Eliassen does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, gender identity or expression, sexual preference or orientation, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, and related medical conditions), marital status, creed, religion, physical or mental disability, genetic information, military or veteran status, age, ancestry, national origin, citizenship status, prohibited criminal record inquiries of applicants and employees, or any other category protected by federal, state, or local laws. Don't miss out on our referral program! If we hire a candidate that you refer us to then you can be eligible for a $1,000 referral check!