ZipRecruiter

Log In

1

Programs Manager Jobs in Fort Collins, CO (NOW HIRING)

nLIGHT

Sr. Program Manager

Longmont, CO

Longmont, CO (onsite) Experience: 10+ years of experience managing DoD programs Minimum Education: Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Science, or related field Compensation : $170,000-$200,000 ...

nLIGHT

Sr. Program Manager

Longmont, CO · On-site

$170K - $200K/yr

Longmont, CO (onsite) Experience: 10+ years of experience managing DoD programs Minimum Education: Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Science, or related field Compensation : $170,000-$200,000 ...

nLIGHT

Sr. Program Manager

Longmont, CO · On-site

$170K - $200K/yr

Longmont, CO (onsite) Experience: 10+ years of experience managing DoD programs Minimum Education: Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Science, or related field Compensation : $170,000-$200,000 ...

Vitesse Systems

Program Manager II

Longmont, CO · On-site

$90K - $129K/yr

... programs by simultaneously managing all stakeholders, maintaining progress and steering course-correction. You will be responsible for Program EVMS tracking, being accountable to managing program ...

nLIGHT

Sr. Program Manager

Longmont, CO · On-site

$170K - $200K/yr

Longmont, CO (onsite) Experience: 10+ years of experience managing DoD programs Minimum Education: Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Science, or related field Compensation : $170,000-$200,000 ...

Ursa Major

Senior Program Manager

Berthoud, CO · On-site

$135K - $163K/yr

The Senior Program Manager is a leader who drives customer requirements, schedules, resources, and overall program progress to ensure customer satisfaction and our business success. The Senior ...

Ursa Major

Senior Program Manager

Berthoud, CO · On-site

$135K - $163K/yr

The Senior Program Manager is a leader who drives customer requirements, schedules, resources, and overall program progress to ensure customer satisfaction and our business success. The Senior ...

Ursa Major

Senior Program Manager, In-Space

Berthoud, CO · On-site

$135K - $163K/yr

The Senior Program Manager is a leader who drives customer requirements, schedules, resources, and overall program progress to ensure customer satisfaction and our business success. The Senior ...

previous pagenext page

Showing results 21-40

All JobsPrograms JobsPrograms Manager JobsPrograms Manager Jobs in Fort Collins, CO

Programs Manager information

How does a programs manager typically collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure project success?

Programs Managers frequently serve as the main point of coordination between various departments such as product development, marketing, finance, and operations. They facilitate regular meetings, set clear milestones, and ensure alignment on project goals and timelines. Effective Programs Managers are proactive in identifying potential bottlenecks and work closely with stakeholders to resolve issues quickly. This collaborative approach not only helps in delivering successful outcomes but also fosters a culture of open communication and teamwork across the organization.

What does a programs manager do?

A Programs Manager is responsible for overseeing and coordinating multiple projects or initiatives within an organization. They ensure that these programs align with the company’s strategic goals, manage resources, set timelines, and track progress. Programs Managers work closely with project managers and team members, addressing any issues that arise and ensuring that deliverables are met on time and within budget. Their role often involves communicating with stakeholders, developing program strategies, and measuring the overall success of the programs.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a programs manager?

To thrive as a Programs Manager, you need strong project management skills, strategic planning abilities, and often a bachelor’s degree in business, management, or a related field. Familiarity with project management tools like Asana, Trello, or Microsoft Project, as well as certifications such as PMP or PRINCE2, is highly valuable. Excellent communication, leadership, and problem-solving skills help Programs Managers motivate teams and coordinate across departments. These skills ensure effective execution of programs, alignment with organizational goals, and the successful delivery of projects on time and within budget.

What is the difference between Programs Manager vs Project Coordinator?

AspectPrograms ManagerProject Coordinator
CredentialsBachelor's degree; often PMP or related certificationsBachelor's degree; certifications like CAPM are common
Work EnvironmentOversees multiple projects and teams, strategic focusSupports project teams, handles administrative tasks
Employer & Industry UsageUsed in various industries including tech, healthcare, and non-profitsCommon in corporate, government, and non-profit sectors
Search & Comparison IntentUnderstanding roles, responsibilities, and career pathClarifying support functions and entry-level roles

The Programs Manager typically oversees multiple projects, focusing on strategic alignment and long-term goals, requiring advanced certifications and experience. In contrast, the Project Coordinator supports project teams with administrative tasks, often serving as an entry point into project management. Both roles are vital in organizations but differ in scope, responsibilities, and seniority.

What are the most commonly searched types of Programs jobs in Fort Collins, CO? The most popular types of Programs jobs in Fort Collins, CO are:
What cities near Fort Collins, CO are hiring for Programs Manager jobs? Cities near Fort Collins, CO with the most Programs Manager job openings:
Programs Manager jobs near you
Infographic showing various Programs Manager job openings in Fort Collins, CO as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 79% Full Time, 13% Part Time, and 8% Contract. Highlights an 96% In-person, and 4% Remote job distribution.

Sr. Program Manager

nLIGHT

Longmont, CO

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Posted 11 days ago

Job description

Location: Longmont, CO (onsite)
Experience: 10+ years of experience managing DoD programs
Minimum Education: Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Science, or related field
Compensation: $170,000-$200,000 depending upon education and experience.
 
Who We Are
nLIGHT-DEFENSE Systems, Inc. is one of the nation’s leading developers of Directed Energy systems, which is a top modernization priority of the Department of Defense.  Our High Energy Laser (HEL) systems, Adaptive Optical (AO) systems, and Acquisition / Pointing / Tracking (APT) solutions are designed to overcome the most difficult challenges facing the deployment of high energy laser solutions to the United States military and our allies.  Located in Longmont, Colorado, nLIGHT-DEFENSE Systems, Inc. is a vertically integrated business that leverages internal capabilities – from semiconductor device through target identification – to develop systems that are both high-performance and cost-effective.  We continue to invest in capabilities, facilities and technology to bring leading edge HEL solutions to the warfighter. This is a great opportunity to work at a company that is on the leading edge of the HEL industry and provides a culture of excellence and commitment to delivering solutions to the warfighter and our country.  
 
Headquartered in Camas, Washington, nLIGHT is a publicly listed company (NASDAQ: LASR).
 
Summary:
We are seeking an experienced Program Manager to lead the planning, execution, and delivery of complex Department of Defense (DoD) programs. The Program Manager will oversee program scope, cost, schedule, performance, and customer satisfaction while ensuring compliance with DoD policies, contractual requirements, and organizational standards. This role requires strong leadership, stakeholder management, and experience working within DoD acquisition frameworks. The candidate will be responsible for successful execution and programmatic tracking support for High Energy Laser (HEL) Weapon Systems and/or HEL Beam Control Systems (BCS).  Work with Program Technical Leads to develop and manage program plans, resource allocation, schedule, budget, risk definition and tracking, and track execution against program plans and metrics.  Provide regular written and verbal reports to peers and management.  Implement appropriate business and operations systems in support of program execution needs.  The Program Manager must be expert at working with MSOffice based tools (Excel, MS Project, PowerPoint, Word) to support budget management, bill of materials management, cost tracking and controls, and schedule management and controls.  Work with Program Technical Leads, engineering teams, and accounting and supply chain to document and report task progress and set goals and objectives.  Support configuration management through the system design, development, integration, and test phases.  Responsible for supporting the development and integration of artifacts for formal DoD acquisition design reviews (Status Reports, CoDR, SRR, PDR, IBR, etc.).  The ideal candidate has a strong technical background, DoD Program Management experience, and is strong at mentorship, teaching, and has experience with agile software development principles and processes.

All applicants must possess or be qualified to obtain a U.S. DoD Personnel Security Clearance. Preference will be given to candidates with an existing U.S. DoD Personnel Security Clearance.  Further information on requirements to obtain a security clearance is available at: https://www.dcsa.mil/mc/pv/mbi/gicp/.  Please review this information before applying.
 
Responsibilities:
  • Serve as the primary point of contact with DoD customers, stakeholders, and subcontractors.
  • Lead program planning, budgeting, scheduling, and performance tracking.
  • Manage program teams across engineering, logistics, security, and support functions.
  • Develop program documentation (e.g., Program Management Plans, risk registers, decision briefs).
  • Monitor contract performance, deliverables, and earned value management (EVM) metrics as required.
  • Prepare and present program status reports, milestones, and reviews (e.g., IPTs, PMRs).
  • Identify, mitigate, and manage program risks, issues, and opportunities.
  • Oversee subcontractor performance and contract modifications.
  • Actively manage technical teams to ensure efficient and rapid execution of complex systems
Required Experience / Capability:
  • Commitment to Excellence. Attention to Detail.  Pride in Workmanship.
  • 10+ years of experience managing DoD programs
  • Demonstrated experience working with DoD customers and acquisition processes.
  • Proven ability to manage complex programs with cross-functional teams.
  • Strong communication, negotiation, and leadership skills.
  • Ability to manage budgets, schedules, and performance metrics.
  • Experience with risk management and issue resolution.
  • Proficiency with program management tools (MS Project, Jira, EVM tools, etc.).
  • Ability to work in a dynamic environment and maintain composure and good working relationships under pressure.
  • Superior problem-solving ability and ability to absorb information from multiple sources to reach a solution.
  • Develop and maintain documentation in support of formal DoD acquisition design reviews (i.e. CoDR, SRR, PDR, IBR, CDR, TRR, etc.)
  • Technical Presentation and Report Writing Skills (i.e. good technical writing skills are critical)
  • Vendor management experience.
 
Additional Desired Experience / Capability
  • Master’s degree (MBA, MS Systems Engineering, or related field).
  • Experience in functional and performance requirements allocation and tracking.
  • Experience in System Engineering tools: Model-based Systems Engineering tools.
  • Experience with High Energy Laser systems.
  • Experience with electro-optical systems including acquisition, pointing, and tracking and/or Adaptive Optical (AO) Systems.
  • Configuration Management for laser and electro-optical systems, in particular for high power applications.
 
Benefits Summary:  
  • 4 weeks of Paid Time Off per year 
  • 11 paid Holidays 
  • Employee Stock Purchase Plan 
  • Tuition Assistance Program 
  • Health (ACA Gold Plan), Vision and Dental Care paid by employer 100% for Employee and 75% for Dependents 
  • Paid Family Leave, Short and Long Term Disability paid by employer 100% 
  • Competitive 401k with company match and immediate vesting  

  

Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, disability, or age. For more information about our commitment to equal employment opportunity, please see this government poster: Know Your Rights: Workplace Discrimination is Illegal. If you are an individual with a disability and need a reasonable accommodation in the application or hiring process, please contact Human Resources at HR@nlightdefense.com.