Technical Program Manager

Summary

Shift5 is an observability platform for onboard operational technology systems, specializing in cybersecurity, predictive maintenance, and compliance for defense and commercial aviation fleets. The Technical Program Manager - Engineering Operations will bridge program leadership and engineering teams, translating priorities into actionable plans and coordinating cross-functional execution across hardware, software, firmware, platform, and systems. The role also supports program governance, customer and user intake, process improvements, product deployment, adoption, and fleet health.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate execution across hardware, software, firmware, platform, and systems teams to translate program priorities, milestones, and requirements into actionable engineering plans
• Track milestones, dependencies, risks, and resource constraints using Jira, Confluence, and custom dashboards; proactively identify, manage, and escalate execution risks to protect commitments
• Facilitate cross-functional planning sessions, status reviews, and alignment meetings with engineering managers, TPMs, and program leadership to align timelines, sequencing, and ownership
• Manage and prioritize incoming requests from customers, internal users, and field teams, balancing user responsiveness with engineering capacity and strategic organizational priorities
• Partner with Engineering and Operations teams to gather requirements, build feedback loops, and continuously improve internal products, tooling, capacity planning, and reporting workflows
• Work onsite alongside technical and customer-facing teams as needed to support product deployment, implementation, adoption, and ongoing operations

Skills

• 4+ years of experience in technical program coordination, engineering operations, project/program management, or a closely related role within cross-functional technical environments
• Strong track record in milestone tracking, dependency management, risk mitigation, resource/capacity planning, and cross-team facilitation
• Proven ability to translate customer/program needs into technical plans, communicate engineering constraints clearly, and drive alignment across teams without direct authority
• Hands-on experience with Jira, Confluence, and other modern program planning, reporting, and collaboration tools
• Highly organized and comfortable navigating ambiguity, with demonstrated empathy for end-users to effectively integrate feedback into engineering decisions
• Experience working with integrated hardware and software systems, aerospace, defense, or other highly complex technical environments
• Experience delivering software or hardware in support of U.S. Government-funded programs
• Active Secret clearance or the ability to obtain a U.S. Government security clearance

Qualifications

Must Haves

• 4+ years of experience in technical program coordination, engineering operations, project/program management, or a closely related role within cross-functional technical environments
• Strong track record in milestone tracking, dependency management, risk mitigation, resource/capacity planning, and cross-team facilitation
• Proven ability to translate customer/program needs into technical plans, communicate engineering constraints clearly, and drive alignment across teams without direct authority
• Hands-on experience with Jira, Confluence, and other modern program planning, reporting, and collaboration tools
• Highly organized and comfortable navigating ambiguity, with demonstrated empathy for end-users to effectively integrate feedback into engineering decisions

Nice to Haves

• Experience working with integrated hardware and software systems, aerospace, defense, or other highly complex technical environments
• Experience delivering software or hardware in support of U.S. Government-funded programs
• Active Secret clearance or the ability to obtain a U.S. Government security clearance

Benefits

• Bonus program and equity in a fast-growing startup
• Competitive medical, dental, and vision coverage for employees and their families
• Health Savings Account with annual employer contributions
• Employer-paid Life and Disability Insurance
• Uncapped paid time off policy
• Flexible work & remote work policy
• Tax-deferred public transit benefits with Metro SmartBenefits (DC/MD/VA)