Demo

Program Manager

Kratos Defense
Tehachapi, CA Full Time
POSTED ON 8/5/2025
AVAILABLE BEFORE 10/4/2025
Job Description:


GENERAL JOB SUMMARY:

The Program Manager works programs of varying complexity with a focus on technical, cost, schedule performance, and business growth on assigned program.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

This is an mid-level position in Program Management

  • Defines program/project objectives, creates, and maintains program plan/schedule, and directly manages program budget to meet established company and customer objectives.
  • Issues project instructions and controls changes to project scope and designs in compliance with established quality system.
  • Ensures that the program/project team achieves objectives for scheduling, engineering, quality, and cost control.
  • Breaks work down into manageable tasks required to meet the objectives of the program/project and customer, which includes the assigning and/or directing the work of others.
  • Ensures satisfaction of all contractual and Statement of Work (SOW) requirements.
  • Establishes a risk management program, and ensures all risks are mitigated.
  • Reports program status and performance, as required by contract or management.
  • Interfaces with the customer and other company personnel on technical, production, and procurement issues.
  • Coordinates the cost estimates (labor & material) associated with out-of-scope activities or future work.
  • Responsible for managing root cause analysis efforts on nonconforming product for assigned projects; troubleshoots problems with production and takes corrective action.
  • Keeps customers informed of program schedules and status.
  • Coordinates and leads meetings as required to plan and communicate all aspects of assigned projects.
  • Works with other internal departments to develop a resource allocation plan.
  • Establishes and monitors program metrics.
  • Grows existing programs to increase revenues.
  • Monitors program performance, formulates and takes corrective actions to mitigate deviations to the program plans and alert management of potential problems when necessary.
  • Coordinates with multiple major contractors and/or Government user.
  • Supports subcontractor development efforts, including delivery management.
  • Works within the company to ensure program quality assurance performance.
  • Manages the integration and testing of hardware and software.
  • Works with other internal program managers to help develop a mutual resource allocation plan.
  • Works with contracts personnel to identify out of scope activities and ensure contract deliverables are met.
  • Leads and tracks deliverables (hardware, documentation, etc.) for the contract.
  • Supplier management.
  • Follows safety precautions.
  • Communicates and represents the company professionally with all levels of internal and external personnel.
  • Other duties may be assigned.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY:

  • May have supervisory responsibility for support staff as assigned.

#LI-Onsite
Experience and Skills:

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES:

Required:

  • Ability to maintain sensitive and confidential information as required by government standards.
  • Ability to interact effectively with peers and supervisors.
  • Ability to interact appropriately with the public when necessary.
  • Ability to adhere to workplace rules and procedures.
  • Understanding of and experience working with FAR/DFAR and Contract requirements
  • A high degree of innovation and creativity.
  • Strong problem-solving skills.
  • Excellent customer relationship development and management skills
  • Demonstrated ability to influence cross-functionally to meet program/project requirements.
  • Demonstrated strong communication and presentation skills.
  • Proven track record in a high variety, low volume prototyping/ development environment.
  • Knowledge of the marketplace and customer needs, objectives, and expectations.
  • Ability to provide effective direction, leadership, and team building.
  • Demonstrated abilities to plan, prioritize and delegate work assignments.
  • Skills and abilities to provide technical and administrative guidance for activities in defined scope of responsibilities.
  • Ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing, with all levels of management and individual contributors.
  • Ability to develop program strategy and goals in alignment with overall company objectives.
  • Solid presentation skills and the ability to communicate, influence, and gain commitment of stakeholders.
  • Ability to work well in a team, and to shine as an individual.
  • May be required to obtain and maintain a U.S. security clearance at the appropriate level (requires U.S. Citizenship) including meeting all DD254 requirements when applicable.

Preferred:

  • Working knowledge of ISO9001/AS9100 requirements.
  • Demonstrated leadership in a complex development environment.
  • Familiarity with contract provisions applicable to contracts and subcontracts.
  • Strong working knowledge of business financial systems / processes.
  • Leadership experience in the aerospace industry.
  • Earned Value Management (EVM) experience.
  • Hands-on skills in the areas of desktop computer applications (MS Office), proposal development, and the opportunity management process.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

Required:

  • Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or Business
  • Program Management Professional Certification
  • Detailed understanding of doing business with the US Gov’t and DoD customer especially with aerial target systems or flight operations
  • 7-10 years Program Management experience, ideally in support of Department of Defense contracts
  • In lieu of the educational requirements, a minimum of 10 years directly related Program Manager experience in support of DoD contracts may be considered.

Preferred:

  • N/A

WORK ENVIRONMENT/PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

  • Office and or manufacturing environment
  • Ability to stand and sit for long periods of time
  • Ability to perform repetitive motion (keyboarding, 10-key, phones)
  • May be required to lift up to 50 pounds in accordance with Kratos General Safety Training guidelines.

TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS:

  • 25% - May require frequent travel locally. domestically

JOB BENEFITS

  • Medical, Dental & Vision Insurance Coverage
  • Life/ADD & Short/Long Term Disability Insurance
  • 401(k) Savings Plan
  • Employee Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP)
  • Paid Time-Off (PTO)
  • Holidays
  • Education Reimbursement

Job Benefits:

  • Medical, Dental & Vision Insurance Coverage
  • Life/ADD & Short/Long Term Disability Insurance
  • 401(k) Savings Plan
  • Employee Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP)
  • Paid Time-Off (PTO)
  • Holidays
  • Education Reimbursement


Kratos Defense is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, pregnancy, genetic information, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other protected category under applicable federal, state, and local laws.

Disability Accessibility Accommodation
If you require an accommodation to navigate or apply to our careers site, please send your request to HRAccessibility@kratosdefense.com or call 858-964-2916. Any inquires not related to requesting an accommodation will be discarded.

Pay Transparency
The company will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant.

Job Applicant Privacy Notice
For applicants in the EU and California residents, please review our privacy notice.



From: Kratos Defense

If your compensation planning software is too rigid to deploy winning incentive strategies, it’s time to find an adaptable solution. Compensation Planning
Enhance your organization's compensation strategy with salary data sets that HR and team managers can use to pay your staff right. Surveys & Data Sets

What is the career path for a Program Manager?

Sign up to receive alerts about other jobs on the Program Manager career path by checking the boxes next to the positions that interest you.
Income Estimation: 
$138,649 - $191,575
Income Estimation: 
$182,502 - $249,036
Income Estimation: 
$207,946 - $249,343
Income Estimation: 
$175,165 - $219,883
Income Estimation: 
$182,642 - $260,237
Income Estimation: 
$101,775 - $148,346
Income Estimation: 
$133,494 - $170,282
Income Estimation: 
$131,105 - $151,214
Income Estimation: 
$128,269 - $173,633
Income Estimation: 
$157,111 - $225,157
Income Estimation: 
$138,649 - $191,575
Income Estimation: 
$182,502 - $249,036
Income Estimation: 
$207,946 - $249,343
Income Estimation: 
$175,165 - $219,883
Income Estimation: 
$182,642 - $260,237
Income Estimation: 
$87,195 - $112,851
Income Estimation: 
$115,491 - $158,336
Income Estimation: 
$102,413 - $133,130
Income Estimation: 
$109,705 - $144,044
Income Estimation: 
$119,541 - $162,386
Income Estimation: 
$182,642 - $260,237
Income Estimation: 
$235,645 - $292,423
Income Estimation: 
$175,165 - $219,883
Income Estimation: 
$200,471 - $254,173

Sign up to receive alerts about other jobs with skills like those required for the Program Manager.

Click the checkbox next to the jobs that you are interested in.

  • Contract Negotiation Skill

    • Income Estimation: $130,764 - $217,954
    • Income Estimation: $138,662 - $205,512
  • Fit/Gap Analysis Skill

    • Income Estimation: $154,060 - $197,092
    • Income Estimation: $158,287 - $199,009
View Core, Job Family, and Industry Job Skills and Competency Data for more than 15,000 Job Titles Skills Library

Job openings at Kratos Defense

Kratos Defense
Hired Organization Address Birmingham, AL Full Time
Job Description: General Summary Assistant Contract Administrators use knowledge of both government and commercial contr...
Kratos Defense
Hired Organization Address Birmingham, AL Full Time
Job Description: GENERAL JOB SUMMARY: This position is responsible for a variety of assigned machining tasks including m...
Kratos Defense
Hired Organization Address Lanham, MD Full Time
Job Description: Ready for What’s Next? At Kratos, we encourage an entrepreneurial spirit balanced with discipline. We w...
Kratos Defense
Hired Organization Address Colorado, CO Full Time
Job Description: Ready for What’s Next? At Kratos, we encourage an entrepreneurial spirit balanced with discipline. We w...

Not the job you're looking for? Here are some other Program Manager jobs in the Tehachapi, CA area that may be a better fit.

Quality Performance Program Manager

Kern Family Health Care, Bakersfield, CA

AI Assistant is available now!

Feel free to start your new journey!