Program Manager Defense Jobs in Pinehurst, NC (NOW HIRING)

ABOUT KRAKEN KINETICS

Kraken Kinetics designs and manufactures advanced kinetic solutions that enable modern warfighting capabilities for the United States Armed Forces and its allies. We specialize in mission-tailored warheads and firing systems for unmanned and autonomous weapon platforms, delivering production-ready solutions at speed to address urgent national security challenges.

Our team brings decades of specialized Department of War experience across the full lifecycle of kinetic system development—from concept and design through testing, manufacturing, and operational deployment. Built on a foundation of work that helped lead the DoW into the era of kinetic drones, Kraken Kinetics combines commercial agility with deep technical expertise to deliver DEFINITIVE LETHALITY™ when it matters most.

Position Summary

Kraken Kinetics is seeking a Technical Program Manager to help coordinate and drive execution of complex defense product development and production-support efforts. This role will serve as a key connection point between engineering, business development, production, supply chain, quality, and company leadership.

The Technical Program Manager will help establish project structure, clarify scope, track schedules, identify risks, and ensure cross-functional teams remain aligned on priorities and deliverables. This role is intended for someone who can bring discipline and visibility to fast-moving technical efforts without slowing the team down with unnecessary bureaucracy.

Roles & Responsibilities

• Lead project kickoff activities in coordination with engineering, business development, production, and leadership.

• Translate customer commitments, internal objectives, and technical workstreams into executable project plans.

• Track schedules, milestones, risks, dependencies, deliverables, and action items across active engineering programs.

• Coordinate cross-functional communication between engineering, production, supply chain, quality, and business stakeholders.

• Help identify resource conflicts, schedule risks, long-lead items, technical blockers, and decision points early.

• Maintain project dashboards, status reports, risk registers, decision logs, and meeting notes.

• Facilitate regular program reviews and ensure follow-up actions are assigned, tracked, and closed.

• Support development and improvement of lightweight program management practices, project templates, and kickoff processes.

• Work with engineering leadership to prioritize work and protect engineering teams from uncontrolled scope growth.

• Support proposal planning, customer updates, and internal leadership briefings as needed.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Project Management, Business, Operations, or a related discipline; equivalent technical program experience may be considered.

• 3+ years of experience managing technical projects, engineering programs, hardware development efforts, or complex cross-functional initiatives.

• Demonstrated ability to coordinate work across engineering and non-engineering teams.

• Strong organizational skills and ability to manage multiple priorities, schedules, and stakeholders.

• Ability to communicate clearly with technical and non-technical audiences.

• Experience identifying risks, dependencies, and blockers and driving them toward resolution.

• Comfort operating in a fast-paced environment with incomplete information and changing priorities.

• Strong ownership mindset and willingness to create structure where process is still maturing.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience managing defense, aerospace, robotics, electronics, or hardware product development programs.

• Experience supporting both development and production-transition efforts.

• Familiarity with requirements tracking, design reviews, ECO processes, configuration management, or production readiness reviews.

• Experience with Microsoft 365, Teams, Planner, Project, Jira, Smartsheet, or similar planning tools.

• Experience working in a small or rapidly growing engineering organization.

• PMP, DAWIA, Agile, or other project/program management certification.

• Technical degree or hands-on engineering background.

• Experience supporting government customers, prime contractors, or defense product deliveries.

Benefits included:

• Generous PTO policy

• Comprehensive medical coverage (80% company-paid for employee + dependents).

• Vision & dental (100% company-paid)

• Short and long-term disability coverage (100% company-paid)

• Generous 401(k) retirement plan

• Company-paid life insurance

• Great teammates and well stocked snacks

LIFE IN MOORE COUNTY, NC (PINEHURST AREA)

Kraken Kinetics is based in Moore County, North Carolina, home to Pinehurst, a nationally recognized destination offering an exceptional quality of life.

Employees benefit from a low cost of living, minimal congestion, and a strong sense of community, with easy access to larger metropolitan areas, including Raleigh-Durham.

Whether you're looking to accelerate your career or put down long-term roots, the Pinehurst area offers a compelling alternative to traditional tech and defense hubs.

We are committed to supporting relocation for the right candidates.

Watch what it’s like to live here:
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EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

Kraken Kinetics is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees and welcome applicants of all backgrounds.