{"schemaVersion":"jobsearcher.job.v1","id":"9fb1eeb70c4179b27eee31f8","url":"https://jobsearcher.com/jobs/9fb1eeb70c4179b27eee31f8","canonicalUrl":"https://jobsearcher.com/jobs/9fb1eeb70c4179b27eee31f8","title":"Program Manager IV","description":"Description:\nOpto-Knowledge Systems, Inc. (OKSI) is a technology company focused on advanced EO/IR sensing systems integrated with AI and machine learning. Our work supports mission-critical applications across defense, aerospace, and commercial environments, delivering real-time insights and enabling autonomous decision-making.\n\nWe are looking for a Program Manager IV to lead complex engineering programs focused on advanced hardware systems, including EO/IR sensors, remote sensing payloads, and aerospace technologies. This role owns full lifecycle execution and serves as a key interface between customers, leadership, and multidisciplinary engineering teams in support of defense and space applications.\n\nWhat You'll Do\nLead end-to-end execution of complex engineering programs focused on advanced hardware systems, including EO/IR sensors, remote sensing payloads, seekers, and aerospace technologies\nOwn program scope, schedule, budget, and deliverables from proposal through system delivery and closeout\nDrive coordination across multidisciplinary teams including mechanical, electrical, optical, systems, and embedded software engineering\nOversee hardware development lifecycles including design, integration, test, validation, and production\nLead system integration efforts, including lab builds, testing, field validation, and customer demonstrations\nServe as the primary interface with government and commercial customers, leading program reviews and technical briefings\nManage program risks, trade-offs, and change control to ensure successful technical and contractual outcomes\nEnsure compliance with ITAR, DFARS, CMMC, and all applicable government and contract requirements\nOwn financial performance including budgeting, forecasting, cost tracking, and earned value management\nSupport proposal development and capture efforts for new aerospace and defense opportunities\nRequirements:\nWhat You Bring\n7+ years of experience managing engineering programs involving physical hardware systems (not software-only programs)\nBackground in aerospace, defense, or advanced R&D environments\nExperience with one or more of the following:\nEO/IR systems\nRemote sensing or imaging payloads\nSeekers or guidance systems\nSpace or hypersonic platforms\nStrong understanding of hardware development lifecycles (design ? integration ? test ? production)\nExperience working directly with engineering teams across mechanical, electrical, optical, and systems disciplines\nFamiliarity with government contracting environments (FAR, DFARS, ITAR)\nStrong program financial management experience (budgeting, forecasting, cost control)\nAbility to communicate effectively with both technical teams and executive stakeholders\nNice to Have\nExperience supporting DoD programs (DARPA, AFRL, Navy, Army, etc.)\nFamiliarity with EO/IR imaging, sensor fusion, or ISR systems\nExperience with flight hardware, payload integration, or environmental testing\nActive security clearance\nCompensation and Benefits\nSalary range: $184,528 - $249,655 annually.\nMedical, dental, and vision coverage fully paid by the employer for employees.\nThree weeks of vacation to start\nAutomatic company contribution to 401K – 5% of earned wages (no matching required)\nEducational assistance and professional development opportunities\nIn-office (St. Petersburg, FL or Torrance, CA) or remote work (United States) available (position dependent)\nAdditional Requirements:\nYou must have, or be eligible to obtain, a U.S. Department of Defense Secret security clearance. You will be subject to government security investigations and must be able to access classified information. The inability to obtain a security clearance will result in you being ineligible for the position.\nWe are an equal employment opportunity and affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, protected veteran status, or any other status protected by law. We provide reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities in the application and hiring process. The person hired will have access to information and items subject to U.S. export controls, and therefore, must either be a “U.S. person” as defined by 22 C.F.R.\nThis employer participates in E-Verify.","company":"Optoknowledge Systems","rawCompany":"optoknowledge systems","city":"Industry","state":"CA","isRemote":false,"isActive":false,"createdAt":"2026-04-14T11:22:39.544Z","occupations":[{"code":"13-1082.00","title":"Project Management Specialists","slug":"project-management-specialists"},{"code":"11-9041.00","title":"Architectural and Engineering Managers","slug":"architectural-and-engineering-managers"},{"code":"11-1021.00","title":"General and Operations Managers","slug":"general-and-operations-managers"}],"industries":[{"code":"334511","title":"Search, Detection, Navigation, Guidance, Aeronautical, and Nautical System and Instrument Manufacturing","slug":"search-detection-navigation-guidance-aeronautical-and-nautical-system-and-instrument-manufacturing"},{"code":"927110","title":"Space Research and Technology","slug":"space-research-and-technology"},{"code":"336414","title":"Guided Missile and Space Vehicle Manufacturing","slug":"guided-missile-and-space-vehicle-manufacturing"}],"jobPosting":{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"JobPosting","title":"Program Manager IV","description":"Description:\nOpto-Knowledge Systems, Inc. (OKSI) is a technology company focused on advanced EO/IR sensing systems integrated with AI and machine learning. Our work supports mission-critical applications across defense, aerospace, and commercial environments, delivering real-time insights and enabling autonomous decision-making.\n\nWe are looking for a Program Manager IV to lead complex engineering programs focused on advanced hardware systems, including EO/IR sensors, remote sensing payloads, and aerospace technologies. This role owns full lifecycle execution and serves as a key interface between customers, leadership, and multidisciplinary engineering teams in support of defense and space applications.\n\nWhat You'll Do\nLead end-to-end execution of complex engineering programs focused on advanced hardware systems, including EO/IR sensors, remote sensing payloads, seekers, and aerospace technologies\nOwn program scope, schedule, budget, and deliverables from proposal through system delivery and closeout\nDrive coordination across multidisciplinary teams including mechanical, electrical, optical, systems, and embedded software engineering\nOversee hardware development lifecycles including design, integration, test, validation, and production\nLead system integration efforts, including lab builds, testing, field validation, and customer demonstrations\nServe as the primary interface with government and commercial customers, leading program reviews and technical briefings\nManage program risks, trade-offs, and change control to ensure successful technical and contractual outcomes\nEnsure compliance with ITAR, DFARS, CMMC, and all applicable government and contract requirements\nOwn financial performance including budgeting, forecasting, cost tracking, and earned value management\nSupport proposal development and capture efforts for new aerospace and defense opportunities\nRequirements:\nWhat You Bring\n7+ years of experience managing engineering programs involving physical hardware systems (not software-only programs)\nBackground in aerospace, defense, or advanced R&D environments\nExperience with one or more of the following:\nEO/IR systems\nRemote sensing or imaging payloads\nSeekers or guidance systems\nSpace or hypersonic platforms\nStrong understanding of hardware development lifecycles (design ? integration ? test ? production)\nExperience working directly with engineering teams across mechanical, electrical, optical, and systems disciplines\nFamiliarity with government contracting environments (FAR, DFARS, ITAR)\nStrong program financial management experience (budgeting, forecasting, cost control)\nAbility to communicate effectively with both technical teams and executive stakeholders\nNice to Have\nExperience supporting DoD programs (DARPA, AFRL, Navy, Army, etc.)\nFamiliarity with EO/IR imaging, sensor fusion, or ISR systems\nExperience with flight hardware, payload integration, or environmental testing\nActive security clearance\nCompensation and Benefits\nSalary range: $184,528 - $249,655 annually.\nMedical, dental, and vision coverage fully paid by the employer for employees.\nThree weeks of vacation to start\nAutomatic company contribution to 401K – 5% of earned wages (no matching required)\nEducational assistance and professional development opportunities\nIn-office (St. Petersburg, FL or Torrance, CA) or remote work (United States) available (position dependent)\nAdditional Requirements:\nYou must have, or be eligible to obtain, a U.S. Department of Defense Secret security clearance. You will be subject to government security investigations and must be able to access classified information. The inability to obtain a security clearance will result in you being ineligible for the position.\nWe are an equal employment opportunity and affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, protected veteran status, or any other status protected by law. We provide reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities in the application and hiring process. The person hired will have access to information and items subject to U.S. export controls, and therefore, must either be a “U.S. person” as defined by 22 C.F.R.\nThis employer participates in E-Verify.","datePosted":"2026-04-14T11:22:39.544Z","dateModified":"2026-04-14T11:22:39.544Z","hiringOrganization":{"@type":"Organization","name":"Optoknowledge Systems","sameAs":"https://jobsearcher.com"},"jobLocation":{"@type":"Place","address":{"@type":"PostalAddress","addressLocality":"Industry","addressRegion":"CA","addressCountry":"US"}},"identifier":{"@type":"PropertyValue","name":"JobSearcher","value":"9fb1eeb70c4179b27eee31f8"},"url":"https://jobsearcher.com/jobs/9fb1eeb70c4179b27eee31f8"}}