Senior Technical Program Manager, IRAD Programs

Hollister, CA, United States

Senior Technical Program Manager, IRAD Programs

Function: Program Management / New Product Development

Reports to: Director of Program Management)

Position Overview

Lead the execution and governance of internally funded research and development (IRAD) programs that mature hardware-based aerospace and defense technologies and prepare products for future market opportunities. This senior individual-contributor position manages approximately two to three concurrent development programs, from newly authorized efforts to programs already in progress, with an anticipated combined portfolio value of approximately $3 million to $10 million. The role requires technical fluency, disciplined program controls, sound judgment about development scope and completion criteria, and effective communication with senior executives. The program manager coordinates engineering and other subject-matter experts but does not directly design, develop, or test products.

Key Responsibilities

• Independently lead multiple internally funded technical development programs, owning scope, schedules, budgets, milestones, deliverables, risks, opportunities, and performance against approved objectives.
• Establish and maintain integrated program schedules, cost controls, risk and opportunity registers, action plans, and phase-gate / tollgate deliverables; apply earned value or comparable performance-management practices as appropriate.
• Coordinate matrixed teams across engineering, testing, manufacturing, quality, supply chain, finance, and other disciplines; negotiate access to shared personnel, facilities, and test resources without direct supervisory authority.
• Manage technology maturation and technology readiness level (TRL) progression; collaborate with technical experts on development priorities, decision points, and practical go/no-go recommendations.
• Prepare clear, accurate program-health dashboards and executive updates covering schedule, financial performance, technical progress, resource needs, and risks; present information to senior business leadership.
• Support alignment of IRAD investments with product-development priorities and market opportunities, coordinating with finance, business development, and technical leadership on business cases and transition opportunities.
• Use established organizational procedures, phase-gate controls, and applicable safety, quality, and export-control requirements; support process improvements and lessons learned.
• Adapt plans and priorities as technical discoveries, resource availability, and business needs evolve.

Required Qualifications

• Approximately 7 or more years of relevant program or project management experience, with substantial responsibility for technical development programs; equivalent depth of experience and relevant credentials will be considered.
• Prior experience in the aerospace and defense industry and sufficient engineering or technical knowledge to understand hardware product-development fundamentals and work credibly with technical specialists.
• Demonstrated ability to lead multiple concurrent technical programs and coordinate shared resources in a matrix environment.
• Experience with integrated schedules, cost control, risk/opportunity management, and structured program governance.
• Experience managing technology maturation and TRL-related development objectives.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Project and Power BI or closely comparable program-management and reporting tools.
• Strong executive-level communication, stakeholder management, prioritization, and independent decision-making skills.
• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, a technical discipline, or a related field preferred; equivalent relevant experience and professional certifications accepted in lieu of a degree.
• Due to U.S. Government contract requirements applicable to this position, only U.S. citizens are eligible for employment in this role.

Preferred Qualifications

• PMP, PMI-ACP, Lean/Six Sigma, or related program-management credentials.
• Direct IRAD, new product development, or other internally funded technology-development program experience.
• Familiarity with stage-gate new product development, manufacturing readiness levels (MRL), and DoD acquisition environments.
• Experience with energetics, ordnance, propulsion, energetic-electronic products, or related regulated hardware development.
• Knowledge of explosives safety, hazard classification, applicable DoD technical standards, and export-controlled development environments; specialized procedures can be learned after hire.
• Experience coordinating the maturation or transition of internally developed technology into future customer-funded opportunities.

Measures of Success

• Independently assumes primary program ownership after onboarding and successfully manages scope, budget, schedules, and risk.
• Delivers program milestones and phase-gate decisions with disciplined financial and technical oversight.
• Advances technology readiness while maintaining realistic scope and effective use of shared resources.
• Provides concise, reliable executive-level program reporting and timely escalation of issues.
• Maintains safety, quality, and regulatory compliance while adapting to changing priorities.

Work Environment

Fully on-site, Monday through Friday. Daily hours align with the assigned engineering teams. Occasional travel (approximately 5%) may include Chandler, AZ; Hollister, CA; and potentially Solon, OH. The role operates in a collaborative, fast-changing, hardware-development environment. Relocation assistance may be considered for a qualified candidate, subject to approval.

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Ralliant Corporation Overview

Ralliant, originally part of Fortive, now stands as a bold, independent public company driving innovation at the forefront of precision technology. With a global footprint and a legacy of excellence, we empower engineers to bring next-generation breakthroughs to life — faster, smarter, and more reliably. Our high-performance instruments, sensors, and subsystems fuel mission-critical advancements across industries, enabling real-world impact where it matters most. At Ralliant we're building the future, together with those driven to push boundaries, solve complex problems, and leave a lasting mark on the world.

About PacSci EMC

Pacific Scientific Energetic Materials Company (PacSci EMC), a Ralliant Corporation (NYSE: RAL) operating company, makes critical missions possible. From concept to demonstration to delivery, we provide leading-edge energetic materials, devices and subsystems for use in military and commercial applications. With engineering and manufacturing capability in Arizona and California, our associates work together to solve the toughest technical challenges with a dedication to Safety First, Quality Every TimeTM. We enable success for innumerable missions on a daily basis, impacting the lives of military personnel, law enforcement officers, commercial airline pilots, astronauts, and oil field operators. For nearly a century, PacSci EMC’s experience and expertise has been relied upon in the times When Milliseconds MatterTM. For more information, go to www.psemc.com.

PacSci EMC is an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate against any applicant or employee on the basis of race, sex, religion, age, national origin, color, disability, or veteran status. We are committed to providing a workplace free of any discrimination or harassment. We all have a role in building a community where everyone belongs. Where you can speak your mind, be yourself, and feel supported. It’s how we achieve more together — for each other, for our customers, and for the world. https://www.Ralliant.com/inclusion-diversity

Is this role subject to ITAR?

The essential duties of this position require adherence to U.S. Government export control regulations. Accordingly, candidates must either be U.S. Persons (i.e., U.S. citizens, U.S. lawful permanent residents, or protected individuals as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3)) or be prepared to collaborate with the company in securing the necessary U.S. government export authorizations. While the company encourages all interested applicants to apply, please be aware that ongoing employment is dependent upon obtaining the appropriate government export authorizations.