Government Uav Operator Jobs (NOW HIRING)

WORK LOCATION: San Luis Obispo, CA or Huntsville, AL or Remote

FLSA STATUS: Exempt

SALARY RANGE: The anticipated salary range for this role is $135,000 to $180,000 annually for San Luis Obispo, CA; $120,000 to 175,000 for Huntsville, AL; $118,300 to $169,900 for Remote. This range reflects a good faith estimate based on the targeted level for the role and typical compensation benchmarks across U.S. locations. Actual compensation may vary depending on the selected candidate’s qualifications, experience, geographical location, and internal alignment.

SUMMARY

The Program Manager for SOCOM programs is responsible for leading cross functional teams, managing customer relationships, and ensuring successful execution of complex UAV and mission system efforts. This role oversees all phases of program activity—including development, production, integration, testing, fielding, and sustainment—ensuring alignment with SOCOM headquarters and component command objectives. The Program Manager combines leadership, communication, and relationship building capabilities with strong technical project management expertise to drive performance across schedule, cost, and scope.

RESPONSIBILITIES

The following job functions are a basic requirement but are not limited to and may be assigned other duties.

• Lead program planning, execution, and performance for assigned SOCOM portfolios, ensuring alignment with SOCOM priorities and operational needs.
• Manage cross‑functional engineering, manufacturing, logistics, and support teams through proposal development, system design, integration, production, and delivery.
• Serve as the primary point of contact with SOCOM program offices and operators, maintaining strong relationships and ensuring consistent communication.
• Oversee field issue resolution, coordinating engineering and global support resources for troubleshooting, repairs, airworthiness actions, and urgent operational requests.
• Direct root‑cause analyses, corrective actions, and reliability improvements across deployed systems.
• Monitor schedule performance, milestones, and deliverables using formal project management tools, ensuring adherence to master plans and contractual requirements.
• Maintain and manage formal risk registers, mitigation plans, and issue tracking, coordinating across internal and external stakeholders.
• Participate in configuration management processes, including CCB and ECO activities, ensuring alignment between engineering, manufacturing, and product support.
• Manage program financials—including budgets, forecasts, EACs, and P&L accountability—and hold teams responsible for financial performance.
• Support proposal activities such as RFP interpretation, BOE development, and coordination with pricing, engineering, and supply chain teams.
• Coordinate and support training events, demonstrations, test activities, and operational integration with SOCOM units and field teams.
• Collaborate with security and administrative teams to maintain compliance across classified and controlled environments
• Travel as required to customer sites, test ranges, production facilities, and operational locations as needed.
• Perform additional responsibilities as assigned to support mission success.
• Assumes all other responsibilities as assigned

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• 7+ years of Program or Project Management experience, or equivalent leadership roles such as IPT Lead, New Product Team Lead, or Systems Engineering Lead.
• 5+ years of experience working with USSOCOM or Component Commands/Units.
• Bachelor’s degree or higher in business, engineering, or technical discipline.
• Background in Defense, Government contracting, and Aerospace, with preference for experience in the UAV market.
• Experience with design‑for‑manufacturing principles and transitioning systems from development into production.
• Hands‑on experience with gated design development processes, including PDR and CDR.
• Prior private‑industry experience (preferred).
• Demonstrated strength in customer engagement, support, and relationship management.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• PMP/PMP certified or in progress
• Understanding of configuration management principles and engineering change processes.
• Proficiency with Jira, Confluence, ODOO, Microsoft Office Suite, and standard project management tools.

SKILLS AND COMPETENCIES

• Strong interpersonal, communication, and presentation skills, especially with senior military stakeholders.
• Demonstrated ability to lead through influence, collaboration, and cross‑functional coordination.
• Proven analytical, strategic, and problem‑solving abilities.
• Working knowledge of UAV systems, mission payloads, and associated technologies.
• Strong self‑direction and initiative, able to operate effectively with limited supervision in fast‑paced environments.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities, deadlines, and dynamic operational demands.
• Experience developing and maintaining Integrated Master Schedules (IMS).
• Competence in risk management, issue tracking, and mitigation planning.
• Effective relationship‑building skills with internal teams, suppliers, and SOCOM customer organizations.
• Ability to interpret technical decisions and convey program impacts clearly to customers and leadership.
• Familiarity with Earned Value concepts, EAC, and basic financial tracking.
• Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and documentation quality.
• Adaptability and composure in responding to urgent or rapidly evolving customer needs.

REDWIRE DEFENSE TECH BENEFITS

• Matching 401(k)
• Paid PTO
• Paid holidays
• Medical, vision, and dental insurance
• Group Short-Term & Long-Term Disability
• HSA and FSA Options
• Critical Care Plan
• Accident Care Plan
• Employee Stock Purchase Plan

CLEARANCE REQUIREMENTS

This position may require access to information that is subject to compliance with the International Traffic Arms Regulations (“ITAR”) and/or the Export Administration Regulations (“EAR”). To comply with the requirements of the ITAR and/or the EAR, applicants will be asked to provide specific documentation to verify a US person’s status under the ITAR and the EAR.

WORK ENVIRONMENT AND PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

The work environment may involve a standard office setting while also incorporating elements of a production area. Employees will use standard office equipment, including computers, and must demonstrate stamina to sit or stand while maintaining attention to detail despite potential interruptions. The role may require occasional activities such as walking, climbing, stooping, crouching, and bending. Vision is necessary for reading printed materials and a computer screen, while hearing and speech are essential for effective communication both in person and over the telephone. Additionally, the position may necessitate travel by air or automobile. Employees may be required to use personal protective equipment, including safety glasses, safety shoes, and shop coats, to ensure safety in the production environment. Employees may be able to lift up to 30 pounds as needed.

REDWIRE DEFENSE TECH IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran status, or genetic information. Redwire Defense Tech is committed to providing access, equal opportunity and reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities in employment, its