Director Technical Program Management Jobs in Kentucky

Havoc is a leader in all-domain collaborative autonomy. Its software-defined hardware approach powers military and commercial-grade autonomous systems across sea, air, and land to sense, decide, and act together in complex and contested environments. Havoc connects assets, enabling them to share information, adapt in real time, and continue operating even when communications are disrupted or denied.

Havoc was founded in 2024 and headquartered in Providence, Rhode Island. Learn more at Havoc: All-Domain Collaborative Autonomy .

As a Technical Program Manager, you will drive technical execution across complex robotics, autonomy, software, and defense programs. You will work closely with engineering, product, operations, field teams, and customers to turn mission needs into executable plans and delivered capabilities.

This role requires technical depth, strong program leadership, and the ability to operate across hardware, software, autonomy, systems integration, testing, and deployment. You will own schedules, milestones, risks, dependencies, and delivery plans while working directly with technical teams to keep execution moving.

This is not a traditional project coordination role. You will be expected to understand the systems being built, identify technical and programmatic risks, unblock engineering teams, communicate clearly with stakeholders, and help deliver mission-ready robotic systems at speed.

• Own execution for robotics, autonomy, software, and defense-related engineering programs

• Drive planning, milestones, schedules, risks, dependencies, and cross-functional delivery

• Translate customer needs, contract requirements, and mission objectives into clear technical plans

• Coordinate across software, autonomy, hardware, manufacturing, field operations, product, and customer-facing teams

• Identify risks early and work with engineering and company leadership to resolve them

• Partner with engineering leads to define requirements, interfaces, integration plans, test plans, and release criteria

• Coordinate integration across software, hardware, autonomy, sensing, communications, and platform systems

• Plan and support system testing, hardware-in-the-loop testing, field testing, demonstrations, and operational evaluations

• Ensure teams are prepared with test objectives, success criteria, readiness reviews, data collection plans, and post-test analysis workflows

• Track field findings, failure modes, corrective actions, and engineering closure

• Support execution of government, defense, and dual-use technology programs

• Interface with defense, government, and commercial stakeholders as needed

• Support proposal planning, customer briefings, program reviews, deliverables, and execution reporting

• Communicate program status, risks, milestones, tradeoffs, and decisions clearly

• Establish effective planning, documentation, reporting, escalation, and decision-making cadences

• Help engineering teams move quickly while maintaining technical rigor, accountability, and execution discipline

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Robotics, Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Systems Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a related technical field

• 5+ years of experience in technical program management, engineering program leadership, systems engineering, robotics, defense technology, autonomy, software, or related fields

• Experience managing complex technical programs with cross-functional engineering teams

• Technical background in robotics, software systems, autonomy, hardware/software integration, defense systems, or fielded technology products

• Ability to understand and communicate technical concepts across software, hardware, autonomy, sensors, communications, testing, and operations

• Experience leading schedules, milestones, risk management, integration planning, test readiness, and delivery execution

• Experience working with engineering teams building real-world systems, not just software-only products

• Strong written and verbal communication skills

• High ownership, strong judgment, and ability to operate in fast-moving environments

• Ability to manage ambiguity, drive clarity, and keep teams aligned around execution priorities

• Passion for mission‑critical robotics, autonomy, and defense technology

• U.S. citizenship and ability to obtain and maintain a security clearance

• Prior experience supporting government, defense, DoD, or dual‑use technology programs

• Experience with robotics, unmanned systems, autonomous vehicles, maritime systems, aerospace systems, or defense platforms

• Experience managing programs involving software development, hardware integration, field testing, customer demonstrations, or operational evaluations

• Familiarity with systems engineering, requirements management, verification and validation, integration planning, and test readiness processes

• Experience working with contracts, proposals, statements of work, program deliverables, or government reporting requirements

• Experience with command and control systems, communications systems, autonomy software, embedded systems, or robotic platforms

• Experience working in small, fast‑moving engineering teams or high‑growth technology companies

• Experience supporting customer briefings, technical reviews, program reviews, or executive‑level status updates

• Active or prior security clearance

• 100% Employer paid Health, Dental and Vision Insurance for you and your families

• Life Insurance (Employer Paid)

• Ability to participate in the companies 401k program (Matching)

• Unlimited PTO policy with an enforced 2 week minimum

• Equity Package

• Work / Home Office Stipend

• Global Entry

• 16 Week Paid Parental Leave

• Monthly Health and Wellness Stipend

• Innovation: We are driven to break new ground. Every day presents an opportunity to challenge the status quo, think boldly, and deliver advanced solutions that transform the future of defense technology.

• Integrity: We hold ourselves to the highest ethical standards, ensuring transparency, accountability, and trust in all our actions and partnerships.

• Mission-Driven: We are focused on achieving impactful outcomes that align with our core mission—protecting lives through innovation.

• Forward-Leaning: We continuously seek out new opportunities and remain at the forefront of technological advancements. We embrace change and anticipate the challenges of tomorrow with confidence and creativity.

• Ownership of All Tasks: At HavocAI, no problem is too complex or too trivial. We believe that greatness comes from tackling the hardest challenges, but also in handling the smallest, sometimes thankless, tasks with the same level of commitment and care.

• Servant Leadership: We lead by serving others, whether it’s supporting our employees, partners, or the broader community. Empowering those around us is key to achieving long-time success and making a lasting impact.

HavocAI is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to creating an inclusive and diverse workplace. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds and do not discriminate based on race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, age, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other legally protected status.