Senior Program Manager

At Aerosphere Power and Navigation, we're committed to attracting and nurturing diverse, high-performing talent who are passionate about their work. Our employees share a common purpose-supporting our customers' missions while pursuing their own professional growth. We foster an inclusive and engaging workplace culture where innovation, collaboration, and work-life balance thrive. Core to our values is a steadfast commitment to excellence, community engagement, and integrity in everything we do.

About Aerosphere Power and Navigation

Aerosphere Power and Navigation Corporation is a leading independent provider of advanced inertial navigation and power solutions for the aerospace, defense, commercial, and industrial sectors. As pioneers in fiber optic gyros, and ring laser gyros, we drive innovation across a wide range of navigation applications.

Program Manager

Location: Budd Lake, NJ Job Type: Full Time Department: Engineering

Job Description:

We are seeking a highly skilled Senior Program Manager to provide strategic leadership, direction, and oversight of major programs within the Navigation business unit. This role ensures that all contractual, technical, schedule, and financial commitments are met while fostering strong customer relationships and cross‑functional collaboration. The ideal candidate brings deep experience in aerospace or defense programs, excels in high‑reliability product environments, and thrives in a fast‑paced, technically demanding setting.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead all aspects of program performance, ensuring delivery in accordance with contract requirements, SOW, technical specifications, budget, and schedule.
• Establish, maintain, and manage the program baseline, including task definition, resource planning, budgets, and integrated schedules.
• Apply disciplined program management practices including risk and opportunity management, change control, earned value, and configuration management.
• Drive timely resolution of technical, schedule, and cost issues.
• Direct and coordinate Engineering, Supply Chain, Quality, Manufacturing, and Test teams to ensure program objectives and financial targets are achieved.
• Oversee the transition of new products into production, ensuring manufacturing readiness, supply chain alignment, and process stability.
• Support capital planning for facility upgrades, equipment layout optimization, and production capability improvements.
• Serve as the primary interface with customers on all program‑related matters, ensuring clear communication, alignment, and satisfaction.
• Present program status, risks, and opportunities to senior leadership with clarity and accuracy.
• Identify and cultivate opportunities for follow‑on business, expanded scope, and long‑term customer partnerships.
• Provide strong leadership, motivation, and direction to program teams.
• Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
• Resolve conflicts, competing priorities, and resource constraints to maintain program momentum.
• Lead or support proposal development, including cost estimates, schedules, technical content, and customer presentations.
• Contribute to strategic planning for new programs and product initiatives.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in engineering or related technical discipline. Master's degree preferred.
• 10–15 years of experience in the design, development, and manufacturing of high‑reliability aerospace or defense electronics.
• Proven program management experience managing large programs valued $2M–$25M or greater.
• Strong understanding of manufacturing best practices (MRP, JIT, Lean, Kaizen, 5S).
• Demonstrated success working with demanding customers, aggressive schedules, and technically complex products.
• Deep knowledge of program management disciplines: planning, budgeting, scheduling, risk management, earned value, and communication.
• Experience with one or more of the following: inertial sensors, navigation systems, spacecraft hardware, space missions, precision guidance systems, or military/aerospace systems.
• Working knowledge of Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR) and DoD procurement processes.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

Preferred Skills:

• Advanced degree in Engineering or Business (MBA).
• PMP or equivalent program management certification.
• Experience leading cross‑functional teams in a matrixed environment.
• Background in transitioning advanced technologies from development to production.
• Familiarity with Agile methodologies and Jira.

If you're passionate about program management and ready to work on cutting-edge projects, we'd like to hear from you! Apply today and be part of an innovative team.

EMCORE Corporation is an equal opportunity employer. Qualified applicants will be considered without regard to age, race, creed, color, national origin, ancestry, marital status, affectional or sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, nationality, sex, or veteran status.

In compliance with pay transparency requirements the salary range for this role is $160,00-$190,000

Emcore also offers a variety of benefits including health and disability benefits. 401k match, flexible spending accounts, PTO and company paid holidays.

As a federal contractor. employment is contingent upon applicable background checks conducted in accordance with federal, state, and local laws.

*ITAR REQUIREMENTS:

Separate from employment eligibility (Form I-9), U.S. export license requirements may apply before the Company can provide certain non-"U.S. persons" with access to specific technology, software and hardware that may be necessary for a position. As such, this position may require ITAR or EAR clearance.