Program Manager (Technical)

Summary

OKSI is a defense and aerospace company developing mission-driven technologies across AI systems, environmental sensing, EO/IR systems, seekers and PGKs, and soldier-borne systems. The Technical Program Manager will support or lead programs from proposal through contract closeout, coordinating technical teams, schedules, budgets, risks, compliance, customer communications, and proposal development according to experience level.

Responsibilities

• Support scheduling, action-item tracking, and documentation as a coordinator, scaling up to owning full program lifecycles from proposal through contract closeout
• Get hands-on with the technical side, understanding how hardware, software, and systems fit together well enough to troubleshoot issues alongside engineers, scaling up to defining program scope, budgets, and change control for complex, multi-year efforts
• Coordinate communications between engineers, technicians, and subcontractors, scaling up to directing multidisciplinary teams across engineering, quality, operations, and contracts
• Draft communications and support client-facing meetings, scaling up to serving as the primary point of contact for government program officers and executive stakeholders
• Lead program reviews, technical briefings, and milestone approvals at senior levels
• Track budgeted versus actual costs, scaling up to owning full program or portfolio financial performance, forecasting, and earned value management
• Support risk logging and compliance documentation (ITAR, CMMC, FAR/DFARS), scaling up to leading risk strategy and audit readiness across a portfolio
• Assist with proposal documentation and submission packages, including writing or reviewing technical content alongside engineers, scaling up to leading technical proposal development, capture strategy, and pricing for new business

Skills

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Computer Science, or a related technical field
• Basic to expert understanding of hardware/software development cycles and compliance frameworks (ITAR, CMMC), scaling with level
• Experience ranges from 5 years in a technical or administrative support role (PM I) up to 15+ years of progressive technical program management experience (PM V), preferably in defense, aerospace, or government contracting
• Eligibility to obtain and maintain a DoD Secret or higher clearance
• Strong organizational, written, and verbal communication skills
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and adapt to evolving program needs
• Comfortable operating in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment
• Sound judgment balancing technical, financial, and customer priorities
• Master's preferred for PM III and above
• Familiarity with project scheduling tools (Odoo), with proficiency in ERP/CRM platforms expected at senior levels
• Working knowledge of government contract types (CPFF, FFP, T&M), FAR/DFARS, and export controls (ITAR/EAR), deepening with seniority
• At senior levels: demonstrated experience with multi-million-dollar program ownership, EVM, and P&L accountability
• Prior experience mentoring or leading project teams

Qualifications

Must Haves

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Computer Science, or a related technical field
• Basic to expert understanding of hardware/software development cycles and compliance frameworks (ITAR, CMMC), scaling with level
• Experience ranges from 5 years in a technical or administrative support role (PM I) up to 15+ years of progressive technical program management experience (PM V), preferably in defense, aerospace, or government contracting
• Eligibility to obtain and maintain a DoD Secret or higher clearance
• Strong organizational, written, and verbal communication skills
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and adapt to evolving program needs
• Comfortable operating in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment
• Sound judgment balancing technical, financial, and customer priorities

Nice to Haves

• Master's preferred for PM III and above
• Familiarity with project scheduling tools (Odoo), with proficiency in ERP/CRM platforms expected at senior levels
• Working knowledge of government contract types (CPFF, FFP, T&M), FAR/DFARS, and export controls (ITAR/EAR), deepening with seniority
• At senior levels: demonstrated experience with multi-million-dollar program ownership, EVM, and P&L accountability
• Prior experience mentoring or leading project teams

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision coverage fully paid by the employer for employees
• Three weeks of vacation to start
• Automatic company contribution to 401K – 5% of earned wages (no matching required)
• Educational assistance and professional development opportunities
• Hybrid schedule options
• Faster-than-typical opportunities to advance your career