Program Manager Defense Jobs in Boston, MA (NOW HIRING)

Job Title: Program Manager – Space EO/IR Payloads

Job Description

This role leads complex space payload programs within an optical sensor systems environment, overseeing the full lifecycle from concept and development through testing, delivery, and sustainment. The Program Manager manages cross-functional teams, integrates technical, cost, and schedule performance using EVMS, and serves as the primary interface with government and prime customers to ensure all technical requirements, contractual obligations, and program objectives are met.

Responsibilities

• Lead medium-to-large scale space EO/IR payload programs from initiation through completion, ensuring delivery on time, within scope, and within budget.
• Develop, maintain, and execute comprehensive program plans that integrate technical, schedule, cost, risk, and resource elements across the program lifecycle.
• Oversee program finances, including budget development, cost tracking, variance analysis, and forecasting, while maintaining program quality and meeting financial targets.
• Use EVMS and integrated master schedules (IMS) to monitor and control cost, schedule, and performance on large, complex hardware programs.
• Coordinate closely with engineering teams to ensure payload designs meet technical requirements, system performance goals, and contractual specifications.
• Collaborate with supply chain, major subcontractors, and manufacturing to ensure timely procurement, production readiness, and on-time delivery of hardware.
• Serve as a primary liaison with government and prime contractor customers, facilitating regular communication, reviews, and decision-making to maintain alignment and trust.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with internal stakeholders, including executives, product managers, and cross-functional leaders, to ensure transparency and alignment throughout the program.
• Drive cross-functional collaboration with product, engineering, operations, and other departments to ensure all elements of the program are integrated and delivered as planned.
• Identify, assess, and manage program risks, issues, and dependencies; develop and implement mitigation plans and escalate critical concerns when necessary.
• Develop detailed project schedules, allocate resources effectively, and track progress against key milestones to keep programs on track.
• Provide clear, regular status updates to Sr management and stakeholders, including formal reports, presentations, and briefings on program performance, risks, and issues.
• Lead continuous improvement initiatives within the program, identifying and implementing process enhancements that increase efficiency, collaboration, and overall program success.
• Interact with internal and external representatives at various levels to resolve technical, scheduling, and integration issues in a timely manner.
• Ensure technical leadership and excellence by participating in the planning, attraction, selection, retention, and development of management, professional, and technical talent.
• Provide leadership in identifying program risks and opportunities, and drive the development of innovative solutions to complex program challenges.
• Ensure adherence to program management best practices, including organizing, planning, scheduling, and coordinating workloads to meet established deadlines and milestones.
• Support and lead major program reviews and customer engagements, including design reviews, status reviews, and readiness assessments.
• Manage and oversee subcontractor performance, ensuring alignment with program objectives, schedules, and quality requirements.
• Champion a results-oriented culture that maintains focus on program success and supports long-term organizational goals.

Essential Skills

• Extensive program management experience leading large, complex hardware-focused programs, preferably in aerospace or defense, with a strong emphasis on space payloads.
• Demonstrated experience managing aerospace or defense programs that involve hardware development, integration, and delivery, rather than software-only efforts.
• Experience in satellites or satellite payloads, particularly optical or laser payloads, or closely related systems.
• Proven experience working with government customers and/or major defense contractors, including supporting formal reviews and contract deliverables.
• Strong understanding and hands-on use of EVMS for cost and schedule management on complex programs.
• Experience developing and managing integrated master schedules (IMS) and applying cost/schedule management best practices.
• Successful track record managing large, complex programs, ideally multi-hundred-million-dollar efforts, including oversight of subcontractors and major suppliers.
• Demonstrated technical expertise and practical application of program management principles, concepts, and practices.
• Strong leadership skills, including the ability to organize, plan, schedule, and coordinate workloads to meet deadlines and milestones.
• Excellent communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills to interface effectively with cross-functional teams, all levels of management, customers, and external partners.
• Ability to navigate organizational dynamics, build relationships, and drive alignment across diverse stakeholders.
• Results-oriented mindset with the ability to maintain focus on program success and long-term organizational goals.
• Adaptability and resilience in a fast-paced, evolving environment, with the ability to manage multiple priorities.
• Ability to work effectively both independently and as part of a team, taking initiative and driving outcomes.
• Eligibility and ability to obtain and maintain a Top Secret DoD security clearance and/or SCI, as required by program needs.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Bachelor’s, Master’s, or PhD in engineering, science, or a related technical field, typically combined with thirteen or more years of progressively complex program administration experience.
• Equivalent experience may be considered in lieu of a formal degree, depending on depth and relevance of program management experience.
• Systems engineering or specific engineering experience related to satellites, satellite payloads, or optical/laser payload systems.
• Experience leading or supporting programs in the Navy or other defense domains, particularly where government customers or major primes were involved.
• Experience managing subcontractors and major suppliers on complex hardware programs.
• Demonstrated ability to contribute to talent planning, selection, development, and retention within program teams.
• Experience driving continuous improvement initiatives and implementing process enhancements within a program management function.

Work Environment

The role operates within an advanced optical sensor and space payload development environment focused on aerospace and defense hardware. Work involves close collaboration with engineering, supply chain, manufacturing, and operations teams, as well as regular interaction with government and prime contractor customers. The position typically follows a standard full-time schedule, with flexibility required to support critical milestones, major reviews, and time-sensitive customer engagements. The environment emphasizes disciplined program management practices, including the use of EVMS, integrated master schedules, and formal reviews. The culture values technical excellence, cross-functional collaboration, continuous improvement, and the contributions of individuals with diverse backgrounds and experiences.

This is a Permanent position based out of Acton, MA.

The pay range for this position is $175000.00 - $250000.00/yr.

Great benefits including a pension

This is a hybrid position in Acton,MA.

This position is anticipated to close on Aug 14, 2026.

About Actalent

Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 20,000 consultants and 5,000 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be an Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm for our engineering design services and a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® winner for both client and talent service.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email actalentaccommodation@actalentservices.com for other accommodation options.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI): We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.