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Program Manager Defense Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Oshkosh Corporation

Program Manager-Defense

Hudson, MI · On-site

$103K - $177K/yr

Defense programs are managed by utilizing resources from functional engineering and manufacturing groups. Responsibilities of the Program Manager is customer satisfaction and business unit ...

nLIGHT

Program Manager - Defense

Camas, WA

The Program Manager brings strong initiative and excellent communication skills to drive high-impact aerospace and defense programs. This includes creating and monitoring key performance metrics ...

nLIGHT

Program Manager - Defense

Camas, WA

$90K - $120K/yr

The Program Manager brings strong initiative and excellent communication skills to drive high-impact aerospace and defense programs. This includes creating and monitoring key performance metrics ...

nLIGHT

Program Manager - Defense

Camas, WA · On-site

$90K - $120K/yr

The Program Manager brings strong initiative and excellent communication skills to drive high-impact aerospace and defense programs. This includes creating and monitoring key performance metrics ...

nLIGHT

Program Manager - Defense

Camas, WA · On-site

$90K - $120K/yr

The Program Manager brings strong initiative and excellent communication skills to drive high-impact aerospace and defense programs. This includes creating and monitoring key performance metrics ...

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Program Manager Defense information

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$38.5K

$107.5K

$157K

How much do program manager defense jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 8, 2026, the average yearly pay for program manager defense in the United States is $107,460.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $79,500.00 and $132,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a Program Manager in Defense?

A Program Manager in Defense is responsible for overseeing and coordinating large-scale defense projects, which may involve military equipment, technology systems, or defense-related services. They ensure that projects are completed on time, within budget, and meet all specified requirements and regulations. This role often includes working with cross-functional teams, managing contracts, and liaising with government agencies or military branches. Strong leadership, communication, and organizational skills are essential, as is a thorough understanding of defense industry standards and protocols.

What is the difference between Program Manager Defense vs Project Manager Defense?

AspectProgram Manager DefenseProject Manager Defense
ResponsibilitiesOversees multiple related projects, strategic planning, and overall program successManages individual projects, ensuring specific objectives are met within scope, time, and budget
CertificationsTypically PMP, PgMP, or similar certificationsUsually PMP or CAPM certifications
Work EnvironmentOften in defense contractors, government agencies, or military settingsSimilar environments, focusing on specific project deliverables
FocusStrategic coordination and long-term goalsTactical execution of individual projects

While both roles require project management skills and certifications like PMP, the Program Manager Defense oversees multiple projects and aligns them with strategic objectives, whereas the Project Manager Defense focuses on managing specific projects to meet immediate goals.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Program Manager in Defense, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Program Manager in Defense, you need a strong background in project management, defense acquisition processes, and often a relevant degree such as engineering or business, with security clearance frequently required. Familiarity with tools like Microsoft Project, Earned Value Management Systems (EVMS), and DoD-specific platforms, as well as certifications like PMP or DAWIA, are typically expected. Exceptional leadership, negotiation, and communication skills set top performers apart by enabling them to manage diverse teams and stakeholders. These skills and qualifications ensure effective project execution, compliance with defense regulations, and successful delivery of critical programs within scope, budget, and timeline.

What are some common challenges a Program Manager in the defense sector faces when coordinating multidisciplinary teams?

Program Managers in the defense industry often encounter challenges such as balancing strict security requirements with timely project delivery, managing cross-functional teams that include engineers, analysts, and government stakeholders, and ensuring alignment with evolving defense regulations. Navigating complex stakeholder expectations and adapting to shifting project scopes are also frequent hurdles. Successful Program Managers proactively foster communication across teams and maintain detailed project documentation to address these challenges.
More about Program Manager Defense jobs
What cities are hiring for Program Manager Defense jobs? Cities with the most Program Manager Defense job openings:
What states have the most Program Manager Defense jobs? States with the most job openings for Program Manager Defense jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Program Manager Defense jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Program Manager Defense jobs are:
Program Manager Defense jobs near you
Infographic showing various Program Manager Defense job openings in the United States as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 94% Full Time, 3% Part Time, 2% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 91% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 7% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $107,460 per year, or $51.7 per hour.
Program Manager (Defense)

Program Manager (Defense)

FlightSafety International

Broken Arrow, OK • On-site

Full-time

Posted 16 days ago

FlightSafety International rating

8.6

Company rating: 8.6 out of 10

Based on 6 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

13th of 198 rated education and training

Job description

About FlightSafety International
FlightSafety International is the world's premier professional aviation training company and supplier of flight simulators, visual systems and displays to commercial, government and military organizations. The company provides training for pilots, technicians and other aviation professionals from 167 countries and independent territories. FlightSafety operates the world's largest fleet of advanced full-flight simulators and award-winning maintenance training at Learning Centers and training locations in the United States, Canada, France and the United Kingdom.
Purpose of Position
The FlightSafety Defense Program Manager is Customer focused on management and execution of DoD programs. The Program Manager is responsible for the overall financial performance and contractual execution of the FlightSafety Defense program portfolios.
The Program Manager will lead multi-functional teams (PMO, Operations, Engineering, Contracts, Procurement, Quality, etc.) in a matrixed organization.
The Program Manager will coordinate across multiple business units including FSI Defense (FSID), FlightSafety Simulation Systems (FSS) and Corporate FlightSafety Intl (FSI).
The Program Manger key management focus:
  • The customer relationship
  • All program budgets and costs including labor hours/cost, material cost and supplier costs
  • Program schedule including the baseline, actual, and variances
  • Program risks, opportunities and mitigations
  • Customer future business support

Tasks and Responsibilities
  • Direct all phases of the program from proposal through program completion
  • Is the as primary customer contact for program activities, leading program review sessions to raise cost, schedule, technical performance, risk and mitigation awareness
  • Internal communication, briefings, status of program and portfolios
  • Lead multi-functional teams in a matrixed organization
  • Understand customer and compliance requirements and program commitments
  • Ensure contractual and compliance requirements and program commitments are met
  • Establish program resource requirements, budgets, and schedules
  • Evaluate performance against plans, budgets, and milestones
  • Develop, direct, and execute mitigation actions as required
  • Strengthen customer relationships though open communication and keeping commitments
  • Participates in the negotiation of contract modifications
  • Support the FSID Growth Team in developing and winning new and follow-on business
  • Ensures the preparation of proposals, work statements, specifications, operating budgets and financial terms/conditions of a contract are executable and achievable
  • Applies understanding of the business and how own team integrates with others to achieve departmental objectives and efficiency
  • Problem solving is guided by policies and procedures; receives guidance and oversight from manager
  • Guides and influences others either internally or externally to adopt a different point of view.
  • Adapts departmental plans and priorities to address resource and operational challenges
  • Decisions and problem solving are guided by policies, procedures, and department plan; receives guidance from Director.
  • Provides technical guidance to team members, colleagues and/or customers

Minimum Education
  • Bachelor's Degree with at least 3 or more years of project/program management or related experience
  • Must be able to obtain a clearance

Minimum Experience
  • Self-starter with proven leadership ability, as well as demonstrated success working with limited supervision while coordinating activities with engineering, operations, finance, quality, and other program execution functions
  • A team player that can work with diverse disciplines in multi-functional teams at all levels of the organization
  • Ability to use internal process of Risk Management and a demonstrated understanding of the value of identifying and managing program risks, formulating risk burn down plans, and ensuring incorporation into project/program plans and schedules
  • Ability to support development of SOWs, review of contract modifications, participate in engineering change proposals, and schedule integration
  • Ability to adapt to changing environments while meeting customer requirements and leveraging proven configuration control practices
  • Participate in new business capture effort, proposals and the cost estimating process
  • Knowledge of raining device design and manufacturing
  • Aerospace & Defense Industry experience
  • A team player that can work with diverse disciplines in multi-functional teams at all levels of the organization
  • Some experience Earned Value Management principals
  • Lead new business capture effort, proposals and the cost estimating process
  • Previous experience in transitioning developmental technology into production
  • Relevant experience with training device design and manufacturing
  • Aerospace & Defense Industry experience

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities
  • Ability to identifies and solve day to day technical and operational problems; understands and recognizes broader impact across the department
  • Exceptional interpersonal communication, both written and verbal, as well as formal presentation skills, including the ability to interface at all levels of management and customer organizations both locally and virtually
  • Knowledge of Earned Value Management System (EVMS) and associated monthly business rhythms
  • Experience with the production MRP system
  • Proficient with Microsoft office tools, including Microsoft Project, Excel, and PowerPoint
  • Highly organized, prompt and with a proclivity for detail
  • Full Spectrum Leadership characteristics
  • Guided by policies and procedures, impacts the quality, efficiency and effectiveness of own team and its contribution to the department
  • Explains information, conveys performance expectations and handles sensitive issues

Physical Demands and Work Environment
FlightSafety provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities to enable them to perform their essential job functions. Subject to reasonable accommodations that may be provided, this position involves the following physical demands: Routine use of hands to finger, handle, or feel/reach with hands and arms (including typing, instrument operation, and use of touchscreen devices); and communicate verbally and in writing (typically by email or other written communication). Range of body motion to deliver or observe training activities, including:
  • Reach, exert pressure and manipulate the rudder controls and/or anti-torque with both feet in simulator training devices.
  • Reach and manipulate numerous controls within the simulator device from the instructor's chair.
  • Enter and exit the simulator device by going up and down stairs and using the provided ramp.
  • Vision abilities including close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus; in each case, as applied to viewing monitors, technical documents, diagrams, and reference materials.
  • The noise level in the work environment is low to moderate.

FlightSafety is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Vet/Disabled. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, or disability.
Any offer of employment is contingent upon successful completion of required compliance reviews, including verification that the candidate is not prohibited from employment under U.S. economic sanctions programs administered by the U.S. Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC).
This position may require access to export-controlled technology or services subject to the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) and/or the Export Administration Regulations (EAR). Employment consideration and any offer of employment are contingent upon the applicant's ability to comply with these requirements, including qualifying as a "U.S. Person" under applicable regulations or otherwise eligible for export authorization within a timeframe consistent with business needs. A "U.S. Person" includes U.S. citizens, lawful permanent residents (holders of approved and unexpired green cards), and certain refugees or asylees with protected status under U.S. law.
This position may also require eligibility to obtain and maintain a U.S. Government security clearance for the duration of employment.
Cybersecurity Notice: All official recruiting communication from FlightSafety International will come from an @flightsafety.com email address. FlightSafety International will never ask for personal or financial information through social media or third-party email providers.

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