Program Manager Defense Jobs in Vista, CA (NOW HIRING)

Voyager is an innovative space, defense, and national security technology company committed to advancing and delivering transformative, mission-critical solutions. We tackle the most complex challenges to unlock new frontiers for human progress, fortify national security, and protect critical assets to lead in the race for technological and operational superiority from ground to space. 

Forge the Future: Join Voyager Technologies 

The future belongs to those who build it. At Voyager Technologies, we're building technologies that protect lives, expand frontiers and prepare us for what's next. And we're doing that with people who are wired to solve, build, adapt and lead. These roles are not for the faint of heart.

You'll help lay the foundation for humanity's future. Join a culture where innovation thrives, curiosity is rewarded, and impact is real. We're a company of doers, thinkers and builders, united by purpose and grounded in reality. 

If you want to put your skills to work where the stakes are real and the mission is bigger than any one person,forge the future with Voyager. 

We are seeking a Program Manager with a strong engineering background to lead complex embedded systems programs supporting defense and space applications. This role requires a hands-on technical program leader who can work closely with engineering teams, understand technical tradeoffs, and drive disciplined execution across cost, schedule, scope, risk, compliance, and customer commitments.

The ideal candidate thrives in a fast-paced, resource-constrained environment and is comfortable operating with limited information while bringing structure, urgency, and accountability to complex programs. This individual will work cross-functionally with engineering, manufacturing, supply chain, quality, contracts, finance, business development, customers, and executive leadership to ensure successful program delivery.

This role is well suited for someone who has experience in a startup, growth-stage company, or small-company environment where program managers are expected to wear multiple hats, solve problems proactively, and drive outcomes without waiting for perfect information.

In this position, the essential functions are: 

• Lead the planning, execution, and delivery of embedded systems programs for defense and space customers.
• Own program performance across cost, schedule, technical scope, risk, quality, contractual deliverables, and customer satisfaction.
• Partner closely with engineering teams to understand technical requirements, assess tradeoffs, identify risks, and ensure execution aligns with customer and contract requirements.
• Develop and maintain integrated program plans, schedules, risk registers, action trackers, customer deliverable trackers, and executive-level status reporting.
• Drive cross-functional execution across engineering, manufacturing, supply chain, quality, contracts, finance, business development, and customer-facing teams.
• Identify program risks, dependencies, and blockers early; develop mitigation plans and drive issues to closure.
• Operate effectively in ambiguous environments, making informed decisions with incomplete data while continuing to refine assumptions, plans, and priorities.
• Lead recovery efforts for challenged programs by establishing clear priorities, improving execution discipline, driving accountability, and returning programs to a stable and predictable path.
• Support contract review, proposal input, statements of work, deliverables, milestones, and customer communications.
• Partner with contracts and leadership to ensure program execution aligns with prime contract requirements, subcontractor flow-downs, customer expectations, and applicable compliance obligations.
• Support compliance with applicable government contracting, export control, and defense program requirements, including DFARS and ITAR-related processes.
• Communicate program status, risks, tradeoffs, and recommendations clearly to internal leadership, external customers, and other key stakeholders.
• Build strong customer relationships through disciplined execution, proactive communication, transparency, and ownership of outcomes.
• Drive a culture of accountability, urgency, attention to detail, and continuous improvement across assigned programs.

 Basic Qualifications

• Must be able to obtain and maintain a U.S. Security Clearance at the appropriate level (requires U.S. Citizenship).
• Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering, computer engineering, aerospace engineering, systems engineering, mechanical engineering, or another related engineering discipline.
• Engineering background with experience working on complex technical programs involving embedded systems, avionics, electronics, hardware/software integration, or similar mission-critical products.
• 3+ years of experience in program management, technical program management, engineering program leadership, or related roles supporting complex technical programs.
• Experience supporting defense, space, or other highly regulated technical environments.
• Demonstrated ability to lead cross-functional teams in a fast-paced, resource-constrained, or startup-like environment.
• Strong understanding of technical scope, program cost, schedule, risk, customer deliverables, and execution tradeoffs.
• Experience reviewing or supporting contracts, statements of work, deliverable requirements, milestones, and customer obligations.
• Working knowledge of DFARS, prime contracts, subcontractor flow-downs, and government contracting environments.
• Familiarity with ITAR and export-controlled program environments.
• Proven ability to bring structure to ambiguous situations and drive execution with limited data or direction.
• Strong attention to detail, organizational discipline, and follow-through.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to communicate technical program status, risks, and recommendations to senior leadership and customers.
• Experience managing defense and/or space programs under different contract types, including firm-fixed-price, cost-plus, and other government contracting structures; working knowledge of Earned Value Management principles and cost/schedule performance tracking.
• Willingness and ability to support program needs outside of normal business hours when required, including time-sensitive customer, supplier, or internal execution activities.

If your experience aligns with our basic qualifications and you are inspired by our mission, we'd like to connect. If you don't see the right role right now, Join Our Talent Community and stay connected as we continue to build what's next. 

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in a startup, growth-stage company, or small-company environment where leaders are expected to be highly hands-on and operate across multiple functions.
• Experience leading program recovery, corrective action planning, or turnaround efforts for programs facing cost, schedule, technical, execution, or customer satisfaction challenges.
• Prior experience as an engineer, systems engineer, technical lead, engineering manager, or technical program manager.
• Experience supporting programs for prime contractors, government customers, or major defense and space customers.
• Experience with embedded software, electronics, avionics, spacecraft systems, defense electronics, communications systems, mission systems, or other mission-critical hardware/software products.
• Experience supporting proposals, customer negotiations, change orders, contract modifications, and program financial reviews.
• Advanced degree in engineering, business, or a related technical field.

The good faith base salary range for this role is $140,000 - $193,000 at the time of this posting. Where you fall within the range depends on your experience, skills, and location. This range reflects base salary only and does not include benefits or bonus/incentive. This range may be adjusted in the future. This position is incentive plan eligible.  

Voyager offers a highly competitive total compensation package designed to support the well-being, growth, and success of our employees. Employees benefit from a flexible and comprehensive rewards program that supports both professional and personal well-being.  

• Flexible Time Off (FTO), empowering employees to take the time they need to recharge and maintain a healthy work-life balance
• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage for employees and their families, with a significant portion of premiums covered by the company and many benefits paid at 100% for employees
• Flexible, affordable gym memberships with 12,700+ options nationwide, including 24 Hour Fitness, EoS Fitness, Crunch Fitness, Anytime Fitness, Blink Fitness, Chuze Fitness, and more! No long-term contracts and FREE on-demand workout videos before you enroll
• 401(k) retirement plan with a 50% company match on contributions up to 8%, supporting long-term financial security
• Company wellness programs that support physical and mental well-being
• Additional voluntary benefits and employee support resources
• The opportunity to work alongside a highly talented team in an innovative, mission-driven environment

Voyager is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, national or ethnic origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, protected veteran status, or other characteristics protected by law. 

To conform to U.S. Government export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) (22 CFR Parts 120-130) and the Export Administration Regulations (EAR) (15 CFR Parts 730-774), applicants for this position must be a U.S. Person: a US Citizen, a lawful permanent resident of the U.S., or a protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3). Applicants must be eligible to obtain any required export authorizations from the U.S. Department of State or the U.S. Department of Commerce.

Minority/Female/Disabled/Veteran 

The statements contained in this job description are intended to describe the general content and requirements for performance of this job. It is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all job duties, responsibilities, and requirements. This job description is not an employment agreement or contract. Management has the exclusive right to alter the scope of work within the framework of this job description at any time without prior notice.