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Program Director Jobs in Carson, CA (NOW HIRING)

Visa Hunt

Program Director, Dive XL

Costa Mesa, CA · On-site

$220 - $292/hr

About the Job In your role as Program Director within our Dive XL Division, you will lead a high‑stakes, high‑reward portfolio program. You will influence the shaping and development of ...

Anduril Industries

Program Director, Dive XL

Costa Mesa, CA · On-site

$220K - $292K/yr

ABOUT THE JOB In your role as Program Director within our Dive XL Division, you will lead a high-stakes, high-reward portfolio program. You will influence the shaping and development of cutting-edge ...

Edelman

VP, Program Director

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

$105 - $170/hr

As a Vice President, Program Director, you will lead integrated programs across a portfolio of clients, providing delivery oversight, operational leadership and financial stewardship from planning ...

Space Kinetic

Technical Program Director

El Segundo, CA · On-site

$170K - $210K/yr

We are seeking a Technical Program Director to lead aerospace hardware programs from planning through production readiness. This role will coordinate engineering, manufacturing, supply chain ...

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Program Director information

See Carson, CA salary details

$30.9K

$81.8K

$143.3K

How much do program director jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 17, 2026, the average yearly pay for program director in Carson, CA is $81,779.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $55,400.00 and $96,700.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a program director?

A program director is an upper-management position found within organizations across almost all industries. Your primary job duties include coordinating, implementing, and overseeing all details of a company’s operation and programs. You monitor the budget, create community programs, supervise other managers, and develop better business practices. The exact job duties vary widely depending on industry and employer. Some program directors oversee the entire organization while others oversee specific departments. Though almost all industries utilize program directors, the two most commonly seen are business and healthcare.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a program director, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Program Director, you need strong leadership, project management, and strategic planning skills, usually supported by a relevant degree and several years of management experience. Experience with budgeting software, project management tools like Asana or MS Project, and familiarity with compliance standards are often necessary. Exceptional communication, decision-making, and conflict resolution abilities are critical soft skills that set top Program Directors apart. These skills are crucial for aligning teams, driving program success, and ensuring organizational goals are consistently met.

What are some common challenges program directors face when overseeing multiple projects or initiatives?

Program Directors often encounter the challenge of balancing competing priorities across several projects, while ensuring alignment with the organization’s strategic goals. Managing diverse teams, coordinating resources, and addressing unexpected obstacles—such as shifting stakeholder requirements or budget constraints—are common aspects of the role. Effective communication, adaptability, and strong organizational skills are essential for navigating these complexities and ensuring successful program delivery. Collaboration with senior leadership and cross-functional teams is also crucial for resolving issues promptly and maintaining program momentum.

What is the difference between Program Director vs Project Manager?

AspectProgram DirectorProject Manager
CredentialsTypically requires a bachelor’s degree; often prefers PMP or similar certificationsRequires a bachelor’s degree; PMP or CAPM certifications are common
Work EnvironmentOversees multiple projects within a program, strategic focusManages individual projects, tactical focus
Employer & Industry UsageUsed in nonprofits, corporate, government sectors for large initiativesCommon across industries for specific project execution

The Program Director focuses on overseeing multiple related projects to achieve strategic goals, while the Project Manager handles the planning and execution of a single project. Both roles require similar credentials but differ in scope and responsibilities.

What degree do you need to be a program director?

A program director typically needs at least a bachelor's degree in a relevant field such as business, management, or a specific industry-related area. Many roles also prefer or require a master's degree or relevant certifications, along with strong leadership and organizational skills.
More about Program Director jobs

What are the most commonly searched types of Program jobs in Carson, CA?

The most popular types of Program jobs in Carson, CA are:

What cities near Carson, CA are hiring for Program Director jobs?

Cities near Carson, CA with the most Program Director job openings:

Program Director jobs near you
Infographic showing various Program Director job openings in Carson, CA as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 76% Full Time, 19% Part Time, 3% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 96% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 3% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $81,779 per year, or $39.3 per hour.

Program Director, Dive XL

Anduril Industries

Costa Mesa, CA • On-site

Full-time

Re-posted 2 days ago

Anduril rating

9.1

Company rating: 9.1 out of 10

Anduril

Based on 17 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

7.4

Company rating compared to similar companies: 7.4 out of 10

Manufacturers average

Based on 75,501 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

Job description

ABOUT THE JOB
In your role as Program Director within our Dive XL Division, you will lead a high-stakes, high-reward portfolio program. You will influence the shaping and development of cutting-edge technologies that enhance operational capabilities for end-users, in conjunction with internal teams and key external partners. You will ensure that cost, schedule, and risks across your programs are optimally managed and mitigated. You will both lead and execute. Ultimately, you will be responsible for building and maintaining a cohesive portfolio of programs that work in tandem with each other to reach portfolio-level goals.

WHAT YOU'LL DO
  • Lead, manage, and execute large, technical programs, from early stage design, to technology development, to system integration, to testing, to deployment.
  • Ensure crisp comms and reporting at all levels: you will communicate to the Senior Leadership Team, to your program teams (both PMs and engineers), and to functional teams across Anduril.
  • Partner with engineering leaders to drive successful program execution and team velocity.
  • Forge and manage both customer relationships and partner relationships.
  • Identify, resolve, escalate key cross team dependencies.
  • Understand technical implementation at the architectural level and propose technical alternatives when necessary.
  • Work hand-in-hand with the Chief Engineer and Program Managers to ensure success across the portfolio.
  • Exercise meticulous, swift follow-through on all asks and deliverables.
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
  • Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Computer Science, Robotics, or applicable discipline specific to the needs of the Dive Team.
  • 10+ years experience, including roles such as Program Director, Technical Program Manager, Senior Program Manager, or Technical Product Manager in an autonomous systems, robotics, or software development environment.
  • Ability to understand the mission, focus on the mission systems, and how both connect to hardware. The Program Manager, Director should have the skillset to dive into any critical aspect of the mission system or program management team to lead, execute, and deliver.
  • Ability to execute in:
    • 1) Resource management (headcount, budget, and more)
    • 2) Planning (ability to forecast and understand detailed schedules, deliver high level schedules to leadership, and more)
    • 3) Building efficient and performant technologies that contribute to MD's core mission and bottom line
  • An aptitude and appetite to thrive in organizations with: nascent structure, high-ownership culture, and a "whatever it takes" environment.
  • Ability to work closely with and influence external groups such as vendors, partners, and others.
  • A strong affinity and talent for working with people, navigating complex ecosystems of people, and leading cross-functional teams.
  • A strong familiarity with autonomous systems, robotics, or related aerospace / defense technologies.
  • Solid technical aptitude and an ability to understand technical designs, software development lifecycle, challenges and risks.
  • Experience with development autonomous subsea vehicles
  • High ownership, low ego.
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills. Strong interpersonal skills and executive gravitas.
  • Familiarity with import and export controls.
  • Must be able to obtain and hold a U.S. TS/SCI security clearance.
  • Must be willing to travel over 25%, with some international.
  • Must be willing to relocate to or based near Costa Mesa, CA.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
  • Proven experience delivering technology to government organizations or large commercial institutions.
  • Significant experience leading high profile and high stakes programs.
  • Experience with Defense Acquisition Processes, including System Requirements Reviews, Preliminary / Critical Design Reviews, Production Readiness Reviews, etc.
  • Experience in building programs for software and hardware deliverables from the ground-up.

Working at Anduril

About Anduril, in their own words

From Anduril

As the world enters an era of strategic competition, Anduril delivers cutting-edge autonomy, AI, computer vision, sensor fusion, and networking technology to the warfighter in months, not years.

What Anduril employees say

Pay

Benefits

Hours and flexibility

Workplace

Get the full story on Breakroom

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About Anduril Industries

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Anduril Industries is a trailblazer in the technology industry based in Costa Mesa, CA, US. Founded in 2017 by Palmer Luckey, the creator of Oculus VR, the company focuses on developing innovative technology to equip and empower those in the defense sector. Its primary products include cutting-edge autonomous systems and AI software that assist in combating threats to national and global security. The mission of Anduril Industries is to integrate technology and defense by building transformative, scalable solutions that ensure a safer world.

Industry

Guided missile and space vehicle manufacturing

Company size

501 - 1,000 Employees

Headquarters location

Costa Mesa, CA, US

Year founded

2017

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