Program Manager, Defense Jobs

Kodiak Robotics

Location:
United States

Category:
IT - Administration

Contract Type:
Not provided

Salary:

Not provided

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Job Description:

We are seeking an experienced and mission-driven Program Manager to lead the execution of complex engineering programs in support of the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD). This role is central to delivering autonomous vehicle capabilities tailored for military applications—bridging technical execution with defense acquisition, operations, and stakeholder engagement.

Job Responsibility:

Lead planning, coordination, and delivery of end-to-end Defense-focused autonomy programs across Kodiak’s software, hardware, and systems teams
Translate DoD mission needs, and product requirements into program objectives, and technical roadmaps
Work closely with engineering leads, product managers, and external government stakeholders to define milestones, manage dependencies, and deliver high-confidence program execution
Build and maintain detailed program schedules with a strong focus on government reporting, risk management, and integrated testing milestones
Support government customer engagements, including documentation, reviews, and demonstration planning
Drive alignment between defense program timelines and commercial engineering roadmaps to maximize reuse and efficiency
Facilitate cross-functional communication across internal and external teams, including software, hardware, safety, operations, and government partners
Develop and track program metrics and delivery milestones, including performance reporting for Defense customers and internal leadership
Champion program management best practices across the team, with an eye toward scalable processes, efficiency, and accountability

Requirements:

10+ years of experience as a Program Manager or similar role in a fast-paced, complex engineering environment supporting a dual-use or Defense effort
Strong technical background, ideally with hands-on experience in software development, robotics, or systems engineering
Proven track record of successfully managing and delivering large-scale, cross-functional technical projects from concept to deployment
Exceptional communication, organizational, and leadership skills, with the ability to influence and align diverse teams
Proficiency with project management methodologies and tools (e.g., Jira, Asana, Confluence)
Demonstrated ability to break down complex problems into actionable plans and drive results at a defense company or for a government customer
Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or a related field

Nice to have:

Experience in the autonomous vehicle, robotics, or at dual-use companies
Proficiency with the government contracting process
Master’s degree or relevant certifications (e.g., PMP, CSM, SAFe)
Experience bringing safety critical systems to production level, and working knowledge of DoD safety verification standards and processes
Familiarity with agile development methodologies
Security Clearance (active or Eligible)

What we offer:

Competitive compensation package including equity and biannual bonuses
Excellent Medical, Dental, and Vision plans through Kaiser Permanente, Anthem, and Guardian (including a medical plan with infertility benefits)
Flexible PTO and generous parental leave policies
Office perks: dog-friendly, free catered lunch, a fully stocked kitchen, and free EV charging
Long Term Disability, Short Term Disability, Life Insurance
Wellbeing Benefits - Headspace, One Medical, Gympass, Spring Health
Fidelity 401(k)
Commuter, FSA, Dependent Care FSA, HSA
Various incentive programs (referral bonuses, patent bonuses, etc.)

Additional Information:

Job Posted:
December 09, 2025

Work Type:

Remote work

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Program Manager, Defense