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Program Manager Defense Jobs in Denver, CO (NOW HIRING)

ICR, Inc.

Program Manager - Aurora, CO

Aurora, CO

$169K - $239K/yr

Program Manager Aurora, CO Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis for this position. ICR has ... of Defense (DoD). * Clearance: Active Top Secret security clearance with SSBI and current SCI ...

Vets2PM

DoD SkillBridge: Program Manager

Broomfield, CO · Hybrid

$135K - $155K/yr

Program Manager SkillBridge Host Company: LEAP SkillBridge Provider: Vets2PM LLC Location ... SkillBridge participants work directly with leadership, gain exposure to aerospace and defense ...

Socket.dev

Security Program Manager - CO

Aurora, CO · On-site

$100 - $135/hr

This position reports to the PGI Senior Security Program Manager. You will be responsible for ... defense, and private sectors. PGI is a veteran-owned and operated company with experience ...

Loft Orbital Solutions

Supplier Program Manager

Golden, CO · On-site

$130K - $170K/yr

The Supplier Program Manager role is central to our success, ensuring we meet commitments across ... Experience in the aerospace, space, or defense industry * Familiarity with FAR/DFARS regulations ...

Loft Orbital Solutions

Supplier Program Manager

Golden, CO · On-site +1

$130K - $170K/yr

The Supplier Program Manager role is central to our success, ensuring we meet commitments across ... Experience in the aerospace, space, or defense industry * Familiarity with FAR/DFARS regulations ...

Loft Orbital Solutions

Supplier Program Manager

Golden, CO · On-site +1

$130K - $170K/yr

The Supplier Program Manager role is central to our success, ensuring we meet commitments across ... Experience in the aerospace, space, or defense industry * Familiarity with FAR/DFARS regulations ...

FP&C

Deputy Program Manager, Building Controls

Aurora, CO · On-site

$118K/yr

Minimum of 8 years of progressively responsible project or program management experience leading complex, multi-site, or multi-workstream delivery, including federal or Department of Defense programs.

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All JobsProgram Defense JobsProgram Manager Defense JobsProgram Manager Defense Jobs in Denver, CO

Program Manager Defense information

See Denver, CO salary details

$39.6K

$110.6K

$161.6K

How much do program manager defense jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 23, 2026, the average yearly pay for program manager defense in Denver, CO is $110,607.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $81,800.00 and $136,400.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a program manager 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 are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a program manager defense?

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 defense 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.

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 popular job titles related to Program Manager Defense jobs in Denver, CO?

For Program Manager Defense jobs in Denver, CO, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Program Manager Defense jobs in Denver, CO look for?

The top searched job categories for Program Manager Defense jobs in Denver, CO are:

What cities near Denver, CO are hiring for Program Manager Defense jobs?

Cities near Denver, CO with the most Program Manager Defense job openings:

Program Manager Defense jobs near you
Infographic showing various Program Manager Defense job openings in Denver, CO as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 78% Full Time, 16% Part Time, and 5% Contract. Highlights an 96% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 3% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $110,607 per year, or $53.2 per hour.

Sr. Program Manager of Execution & Staffing Operations

Infleqtion

Louisville, CO • On-site

$121K - $121K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 11 days ago

Job description

Infleqtion is seeking a Sr. Program Manager of Execution & Staffing Operations within the Quantum Sensing Solutions (QSS) group. In this exciting and multi-faceted role, this leader will be responsible for growing a multidisciplinary technical organization, working across a rapidly growing portfolio of business areas to identify and resolve execution risks / issues in staffing operations, drive hiring & talent acquisition to meet execution demands, assist program managers in successful program start-up staffing operations on new awards, ensure best practices are put into execution for engineering performance management, and act as a multi-disciplinary functional manager.  This leader will be working across a diverse group of engineering and science disciplines including, but not limited to, mechanical, opto-mechanical, electrical, systems, controls, firmware/software, test, reliability, manufacturing engineering, and physicists. The successful candidate will combine broad technical judgment and expertise with exceptional organizational and people leadership, strong communication abilities with Program / Business Area leadership, keen sense of working through conflicting priorities, and an eye for talent acquisition. The role requires a leader who is equally comfortable engaging in technical design and program management / business area reviews, developing engineering leaders, allocating scarce technical resources across competing priorities, and partnering with program, product, operations, and business leadership to deliver against strategic objectives.

Key Responsibilities

       Own functional resource planning and allocation across multiple programs.

       Drive technical hiring from requisition through hire across QSS business area by working with HR, recruiting, business area and program leaders.

       Work with program and business leaders to align engineering capacity, capabilities, priorities, and schedules to currently executing program as well as against future pipeline of opportunities.

       Identify capability gaps and develop appropriate build, hire, partner, or outsource strategies for meeting commitments.

       Anticipate future engineering capability requirements and develop talent and infrastructure ahead of business demand.

       Resolve cross-program resource conflicts and ensure critical technical efforts receive the expertise required for success.

       Develop and monitor meaningful engineering performance indicators, including technical maturity, execution health, staffing, quality, and risk.

       Build, lead, develop, and retain a high-performing multidisciplinary engineering organization.

       Define the organizational structure, engineering capabilities, roles, and technical leadership required to support current and future business needs.

       Recruit and develop exceptional engineers & scientists, technical leaders, engineering managers, and subject-matter experts.

       Partner with business, program and technical leadership to translate strategic objectives into executable resourced plans throughout program and production lifecycle from proposal through end of life.

       Work with QSS leadership to define and implement a staffing execution process and organization that is scalable to meet large future growth needs of the enterprise.  

       Represent resource considerations in business and portfolio decisions, ensuring technical opportunities, constraints, risks, cost, and schedule implications are understood.

Requirements

       Bachelor's degree in engineering, physics, or a related technical discipline; advanced technical degree preferred.

       8+ years as a leader or program manager in hardware applied research and development

       8+ years as a functional leader of engineering and / or research scientist talent

       5+ years in hiring for deep technical talent

       Demonstrated ability to lead engineers and scientists working on technically challenging problems across numerous competing priorities and work deconfliction strategies.

       Strong understanding of engineering development processes, including requirements, architecture, design, integration, verification, validation, and technical risk management.

       Experience building and scaling deep technical teams to meet business demand forecast needs.

       Strong resource-planning and organizational-development capabilities.

       Excellent communication skills and the ability to influence senior technical, programmatic, and business stakeholders.

Desired Qualifications

       Master's degree or Ph.D. in an engineering or scientific discipline.

       10+ years as a leader or program manager in hardware applied research and development in fast paced Aerospace & Defense &/or other United States Government R&D.

       10+ years as a functional leader of engineering and / or research scientist talent in fast paced Aerospace & Defense &/or other United States Government R&D.

       10+ years in hiring for deep technical talent in fast paced Aerospace & Defense &/or other United States Government R&D.

       10+ years in driving operations for execution and staffing for 50+ people with a rapid growth trajectory with associated establishment of organizational structures, talent acquisition, and operational process to ensure continued scalability.

Benefits

  • Salary Range: per year 165000 - 210000
  • 100% company-paid medical, dental, vision, short/long-term disability  
  • Employer-funded Health Savings Account  
  • Unlimited PTO  
  • 401(k) match  
  • Company-paid Life and AD&D Insurance  
  • Flexible Savings Account  
  • Paid FMLA, Maternity/Paternity Leave  
  • Employee Assistance Program  
  • Student Loan Repayment 
  • Equity Program

Notice to Recruitment Agencies:

Infleqtion does not accept unsolicited resumes from agencies. Infleqtion is not responsible for any fees related to unsolicited resumes.

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