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Program Manager Defense Jobs in Houston, TX (NOW HIRING)

Pae

Deputy Project Manager

Houston, TX · On-site

$111K/yr

Masters Degree in business management, accounting, program management, economics or closely related field. * Experience in Defense contracting or Defense financial management. * Current DoD Secret ...

MacroFab

Program Account Manager

Houston, TX · On-site

Program Account Manager MacroFab, Inc. | Houston, TX | On-Site | Business Development About ... S. Department of Defense. MacroFab is ISO 9001:2015 certified and ITAR registered, with over 5 ...

Amentum

Deputy Project Manager

Houston, TX · On-site

$111K/yr

Masters Degree in business management, accounting, program management, economics or closely related field. * Experience in Defense contracting or Defense financial management. * Current DoD Secret ...

MacroFab

Program Account Manager

Houston, TX · On-site

Program Account Manager MacroFab, Inc. | Houston, TX | On-Site | Business Development About ... S. Department of Defense. MacroFab is ISO 9001:2015 certified and ITAR registered, with over 5 ...

AECOM

Program Management Director

Houston, TX

At AECOM, we understand that large programs require the management, coordination and integration of ... These include programs of critical national importance in defense, transportation, water, clean ...

AECOM

Program Management Director

Houston, TX · On-site

At AECOM, we understand that large programs require the management, coordination and integration of ... These include programs of critical national importance in defense, transportation, water, clean ...

Amentum

Program Analyst

Houston, TX · On-site

$100 - $130/hr

The Program Analyst will support the PLTD Project by conducting analysis of information affecting ... Experience in Defense contracting or Defense financial management. * Current DoD Secret (or Higher ...

PAE Government Services Inc.

Program Analyst

Houston, TX · On-site

$100 - $130/hr

The Program Analyst will support the PLTD Project by conducting analysis of information affecting ... Experience in Defense contracting or Defense financial management. * Current DoD Secret (or Higher ...

Pae

Program Analyst

Houston, TX · On-site

The Program Analyst will support the PLTD Project by conducting analysis of information affecting ... Experience in Defense contracting or Defense financial management. * Current DoD Secret (or Higher ...

Amentum

Program Analyst

Houston, TX · On-site

The Program Analyst will support the PLTD Project by conducting analysis of information affecting ... Experience in Defense contracting or Defense financial management. * Current DoD Secret (or Higher ...

Pae

Program Analyst

Houston, TX · On-site

The Program Analyst will support the PLTD Project by conducting analysis of information affecting ... Experience in Defense contracting or Defense financial management. * Current DoD Secret (or Higher ...

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Showing results 21-40

All JobsProgram Defense JobsProgram Manager Defense JobsProgram Manager Defense Jobs in Houston, TX

Program Manager Defense information

See Houston, TX salary details

$36.8K

$102.6K

$149.9K

How much do program manager defense jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 26, 2026, the average yearly pay for program manager defense in Houston, TX is $102,622.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $75,900.00 and $126,500.00 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 Houston, TX?

For Program Manager Defense jobs in Houston, TX, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Program Manager Defense jobs in Houston, TX look for?

The top searched job categories for Program Manager Defense jobs in Houston, TX are:

What cities near Houston, TX are hiring for Program Manager Defense jobs?

Cities near Houston, TX with the most Program Manager Defense job openings:

Program Manager Defense jobs near you
Infographic showing various Program Manager Defense job openings in Houston, TX as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 79% Full Time, 15% Part Time, 2% Temporary, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 95% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 4% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $102,622 per year, or $49.3 per hour.

Technical Program Manager - New Technology Enabling

Quest Global

Houston, TX • On-site

$70K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 13 days ago

Quest Global rating

7.8

Company rating: 7.8 out of 10

Based on 11 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

244th of 450 rated engineering

Job description

Job Requirements
Quest Global delivers world-class end-to-end engineering solutions by leveraging our deep industry knowledge and digital expertise. By bringing together technologies and industries, alongside the contributions of diverse individuals and their areas of expertise, we are able to solve problems better, faster. This multi-dimensional approach enables us to solve the most critical and large-scale challenges across the aerospace & defense, automotive, energy, hi-tech, healthcare, medical devices, rail and semiconductor industries.
We are looking for humble geniuses, who believe that engineering has the potential to make the impossible possible; innovators, who are not only inspired by technology and innovation, but also perpetually driven to design, develop, and test as a trusted partner for Fortune 500 customers. As a team of remarkably diverse engineers, we recognize that what we are really engineering is a brighter future for us all. If you want to contribute to meaningful work and be part of an organization that truly believes when you win, we all win, and when you fail, we all learn, then we're eager to hear from you.
The achievers and courageous challenge-crushers we seek, have the following characteristics and skills:
What You Will Bring:
Strategy & Intake
  • Build and maintain the technology funnel (e.g., ARM/UEFI, USB4/Thunderbolt, USB-C PD, security, manageability), translating ideas into clear requirements.
  • Partner with product planners and FW leaders to prioritize based on customer value, feasibility, and timeline constraints.

POC Delivery & Technical Enabling
  • Scope POCs with engineering leads; define success criteria and test plans
  • Coordinate HW/FW setup, vendor collaboration and cross-team collaboration; capture results and root-cause data to inform go/no-go decisions.

Governance, Schedule & KPIs
  • Own program schedules, critical deliverables, and resource plans across multiple concurrent POCs.
  • Manage risk, dependencies, and change control; maintain a transparent weekly cadence and status with stakeholders.

Stakeholder & Partner Management
  • Align architects, developers, test, ODM partners, and PMO on scope, interfaces, and definition of done; lead structured issue triage and decision forums.
  • Negotiate options and trade-offs across cost, feature, and availability; document decisions and downstream impacts for NPI and sourcing.

Communication & Decisioning
  • Provide concise updates and issue analyses to product stakeholders; escalate with context and recommended actions.
  • Produce decision packets for leadership (rationale, data, alternatives, risk/mitigation, adoption plan).

What You Will Bring:
Education & Experience
  • Bachelor's or Master's in Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, or related field.
  • Minimum 4 years leading engineering programs (hardware/firmware/software) in matrixed environments.
  • PMP/PMI or equivalent program management training preferred; familiarity with Agile/Hybrid methods is a plus.

Knowledge & Skills
  • Proven program leadership using modern project planning tools; ability to drive outcomes across cross-functional teams.
  • Working knowledge of PC platform architecture, firmware/BIOS/UEFI, embedded systems, and interfaces such as USB4/TBT, USB-C PD, DisplayPort, I²C, UART.
  • Practical experience coordinating vendor/ODM deliverables and validating firmware components
  • Excellent written and verbal communication; skilled at simplifying complex technical trade-offs and negotiating at management/executive levels.

Pay Range:$,60,000-$70,000/Annum
Benefits
Full-time (Regular)
• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Referral program
• Vision insurance
• Short/Long Term Disability

What Quest Global employees say

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