Product/Program Manager (US)
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Overview
Job Description
About Us
Harmattan AI is a next-generation defense prime building autonomous and scalable defense systems. Following the close of a $200M Series B, valuing the company at $1.4 billion, we are expanding our teams and capabilities to deliver mission-critical systems to allied forces.
Our work is guided by clear values: building technologies with real-world impact, pursuing excellence in everything we do, setting ambitious goals, and taking on the hardest technical challenges. We operate in a demanding environment where rigor, ownership, and execution are expected.
About the Role
As Product/Program Manager, you will serve as both the operational backbone of program execution and the core driver of product development—from engineering pilot through industrialization, mass production, and fielded delivery to defense customers across Europe and the Middle East.
You are the primary interface with our defense clients, overseeing end-to-end delivery of complex autonomous systems while ensuring contractual compliance, coordinating cross-functional internal teams, and resolving program-level blockers to maintain critical schedules. Your leadership will ensure Harmattan AI’s innovative drone technology successfully transitions from development into large-scale series production, while adhering to the centralized product vision, scoping, and roadmap set by the Product/Program Manager.
This is a senior, client-facing role requiring deep technical judgment, operational precision, and domain expertise. You will manage risks, resolve crises, trigger invoicing at contractual milestones, and ensure that centralized product policies remain compatible with program-specific and customer-specific constraints.
Key Responsibilities
Customer Interface & Stakeholder Management: Act as the single point of contact for defense customers throughout program execution. Manage expectations, communicate program status, and maintain strong working relationships with client technical and procurement teams.
End-to-End Delivery Coordination: Lead and coordinate cross-functional teams (engineering, manufacturing, supply chain, quality) to ensure on-time, on-spec delivery of complex, series-produced autonomous defense systems.
Program Execution – Pilot to Industrialization: Drive the full product development lifecycle from engineering pilot through industrialization and mass production, ensuring seamless transition at each stage.
Compliance & Contractual Oversight: Guarantee that all deliverables meet contractual, technical, and operational requirements. Maintain rigorous compliance documentation aligned with defense acquisition processes and program milestones.
Risk & Crisis Management: Proactively identify, track, and mitigate program-level risks—both technical and administrative. Lead rapid, structured resolution of issues as they arise to protect schedule and delivery commitments.
Invoicing & Revenue Triggering: Own the program timeline and ensure billing is activated at contractual milestones. Manage the complete business plan for assigned programs.
Enable Identification & Escalation: Identify missing project enablers and escalate internally to unblock delivery or alignment with production and customer goals.
Product–Program Alignment: Ensure that centralized product policies and roadmap are compatible with program-specific and customer-specific constraints, serving as the bridge between product vision and field reality.
Candidate Requirements
Experience & Education
10+ years of experience in program or project management, with a strong and continuous career focus on delivery execution.
Significant experience as a Program or Project Manager within the defense sector, including leading product development, high-volume deliveries, and direct customer support.
Mandatory experience in the drone or autonomous systems industry.
Proven track record managing complex deliveries and mass-production programs with direct client interface and full contractual responsibility.
Technical & Domain Expertise
Strong knowledge of defense acquisition processes, program milestones, and compliance documentation.
Deep technical understanding of autonomous systems, drone platforms, or related defense technologies—sufficient to credibly interface with engineering teams and make informed trade-off decisions.
Expertise in managing large-scale series production projects, including industrialization workflows and manufacturing coordination.
Proficiency in managing a complete business plan, including cost, schedule, and revenue forecasting for defense programs.
Demonstrated ability to manage programs in cutting-edge, disruptive, and fast-paced technology environments.
Skills & Competencies
Exceptional communication, presentation, and leadership skills, with the ability to operate effectively across technical and executive audiences.
Detail-oriented with excellent documentation and organizational skills.
Proven ability to coordinate and motivate large, multidisciplinary technical teams toward production milestones under pressure.
Strong crisis management instincts with a structured, decisive approach to problem resolution.
Location and Commitments
Contract Type: Full-time / Permanent
Work Schedule: Arlington, Virginia / On-site
Compensation: $200K-$220K + equity + benefits
We look forward to hearing how you can help shape the future of autonomous defense systems at Harmattan AI.
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