{"schemaVersion":"jobsearcher.job.v1","id":"1c0a726220aa5181da13804d","url":"https://jobsearcher.com/jobs/1c0a726220aa5181da13804d","canonicalUrl":"https://jobsearcher.com/jobs/1c0a726220aa5181da13804d","title":"Technical Program Manager - Interceptor Program","description":"Technical Program ManagerDrive a multi-discipline interceptor program from design to flightEl Segundo, California | On-siteThis role keeps engineering moving. You will own the program schedule, run the operating rhythm, track cross-team dependencies, and make sure risks reach leadership early enough to act. You will report to the founders.You will work across mechanical, propulsion, aerodynamics, GNC, seeker, and avionics to take the first interceptor from design through ground test and flight. Engineering leads own the technical decisions. You will make sure those decisions happen on time, with the right people involved, and that the outcomes are clearly recorded.We are a seed-stage, venture-backed defense technology company building affordable, modular interceptors for air and missile defense, with surface-launched and space-based platforms in development. The team has already demonstrated autonomous intercepts and is moving quickly from prototype hardware into flight testing from our South Bay facility. We are a small group of engineers and operators who design, build, and test in-house, with a clear path toward scaled production for government customers.Job DutiesBuild and maintain the integrated program schedule from design milestones through ground and flight testTrack the critical path and cross-team dependencies, and lay out impacts and options when something slipsTrack long-lead parts and procurement with engineering so hardware arrives on timeRun weekly status meetings and engineering syncs with clear agendas, decisions, and action itemsOrganize design reviews, test readiness reviews, and post-test reviewsDeliver concise, regular status updates to the founders and the teamMaintain the program risk register with engineering leads and follow through on mitigationsKeep a log of key decisions and interface agreements between teamsEscalate blockers early and help resolve resource and priority conflictsCoordinate test campaigns with ranges and facilities, covering scheduling, logistics, and readiness checklistsTrack government contract milestones and deliverables, and support reports and customer reviewsStand up and maintain lightweight project tracking tools and processesQualificationsBachelor's degree in engineering or a technical field, or equivalent experience5+ years of program or project management on hardware programs, ideally aerospace or defenseExperience running schedules for complex, multi-team engineering programs through testTechnical depth to understand engineering tradeoffs and earn the trust of engineersClear, direct written and verbal communicationExperience with scheduling and tracking tools such as Jira, Linear, MS Project, or SmartsheetU.S. Person status required (ITAR) and ability to obtain a U.S. security clearancePreferred ExperienceMissile, rocket, or flight vehicle program experienceFamiliarity with DoD contract vehicles such as SBIR and OTA and their deliverablesFlight test or range operations coordinationHands-on engineering experience before moving into program managementPMP or similar certificationPrior early-stage startup experienceWhy Join UsOwn the program cadence for a flight vehicle headed to testDirect partnership with the founders and every engineering leadBuild program management practices from scratchVisibility into government contracting and customer engagementEarly equity in a seed-stage company with a rapidly growing teamMission with direct national security impactCompensation Details: $140,000 - $175,000 + equity","company":"Approach Venture","rawCompany":"approach venture","city":"El Segundo","state":"CA","isRemote":false,"isActive":true,"createdAt":"2026-11-04T05:13:14.965Z","occupations":[{"code":"13-1082.00","title":"Project Management Specialists","slug":"project-management-specialists"},{"code":"15-1299.09","title":"Information Technology Project Managers","slug":"information-technology-project-managers"},{"code":"11-9041.00","title":"Architectural and Engineering Managers","slug":"architectural-and-engineering-managers"}],"industries":[{"code":"336414","title":"Guided Missile and Space Vehicle Manufacturing","slug":"guided-missile-and-space-vehicle-manufacturing"},{"code":"336419","title":"Other Guided Missile and Space Vehicle Parts and Auxiliary Equipment Manufacturing","slug":"other-guided-missile-and-space-vehicle-parts-and-auxiliary-equipment-manufacturing"},{"code":"336411","title":"Aircraft Manufacturing","slug":"aircraft-manufacturing"}],"jobPosting":{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"JobPosting","title":"Technical Program Manager - Interceptor Program","description":"Technical Program ManagerDrive a multi-discipline interceptor program from design to flightEl Segundo, California | On-siteThis role keeps engineering moving. You will own the program schedule, run the operating rhythm, track cross-team dependencies, and make sure risks reach leadership early enough to act. You will report to the founders.You will work across mechanical, propulsion, aerodynamics, GNC, seeker, and avionics to take the first interceptor from design through ground test and flight. Engineering leads own the technical decisions. You will make sure those decisions happen on time, with the right people involved, and that the outcomes are clearly recorded.We are a seed-stage, venture-backed defense technology company building affordable, modular interceptors for air and missile defense, with surface-launched and space-based platforms in development. The team has already demonstrated autonomous intercepts and is moving quickly from prototype hardware into flight testing from our South Bay facility. We are a small group of engineers and operators who design, build, and test in-house, with a clear path toward scaled production for government customers.Job DutiesBuild and maintain the integrated program schedule from design milestones through ground and flight testTrack the critical path and cross-team dependencies, and lay out impacts and options when something slipsTrack long-lead parts and procurement with engineering so hardware arrives on timeRun weekly status meetings and engineering syncs with clear agendas, decisions, and action itemsOrganize design reviews, test readiness reviews, and post-test reviewsDeliver concise, regular status updates to the founders and the teamMaintain the program risk register with engineering leads and follow through on mitigationsKeep a log of key decisions and interface agreements between teamsEscalate blockers early and help resolve resource and priority conflictsCoordinate test campaigns with ranges and facilities, covering scheduling, logistics, and readiness checklistsTrack government contract milestones and deliverables, and support reports and customer reviewsStand up and maintain lightweight project tracking tools and processesQualificationsBachelor's degree in engineering or a technical field, or equivalent experience5+ years of program or project management on hardware programs, ideally aerospace or defenseExperience running schedules for complex, multi-team engineering programs through testTechnical depth to understand engineering tradeoffs and earn the trust of engineersClear, direct written and verbal communicationExperience with scheduling and tracking tools such as Jira, Linear, MS Project, or SmartsheetU.S. Person status required (ITAR) and ability to obtain a U.S. security clearancePreferred ExperienceMissile, rocket, or flight vehicle program experienceFamiliarity with DoD contract vehicles such as SBIR and OTA and their deliverablesFlight test or range operations coordinationHands-on engineering experience before moving into program managementPMP or similar certificationPrior early-stage startup experienceWhy Join UsOwn the program cadence for a flight vehicle headed to testDirect partnership with the founders and every engineering leadBuild program management practices from scratchVisibility into government contracting and customer engagementEarly equity in a seed-stage company with a rapidly growing teamMission with direct national security impactCompensation Details: $140,000 - $175,000 + equity","datePosted":"2026-11-04T05:13:14.965Z","dateModified":"2026-11-04T05:13:14.965Z","hiringOrganization":{"@type":"Organization","name":"Approach Venture","sameAs":"https://jobsearcher.com"},"jobLocation":{"@type":"Place","address":{"@type":"PostalAddress","addressLocality":"El Segundo","addressRegion":"CA","addressCountry":"US"}},"identifier":{"@type":"PropertyValue","name":"JobSearcher","value":"1c0a726220aa5181da13804d"},"url":"https://jobsearcher.com/jobs/1c0a726220aa5181da13804d"}}