Program Manager - Major Autonomous Shipbuilding Programs

Program Manager - Major Autonomous Shipbuilding Programs

Saronic Technologies is a leader in revolutionizing defense autonomy at sea, dedicated to developing state-of-the-art solutions that enhance maritime operations for the Department of Defense (DoD) through autonomous and intelligent platforms.

We are seeking an accomplished Program Manager to lead a shipbuilding program with the potential scope and complexity of an Acquisition Category (ACAT) I major defense acquisition program. This role will oversee cost, schedule, and performance across all phases acquisition, design, construction, testing, delivery, and sustainment. The Program Manager will ensure successful integration of advanced naval platforms, combat systems, propulsion, C5ISR, and weapons into ship platforms, while serving as a key industry interface with Navy stakeholders, prime contractors, and internal leadership.

Responsibilities

• Lead an industry shipbuilding program with the potential scale and rigor of an Acquisition Category (ACAT) I effort, from design through lifecycle sustainment.
• Translate Navy and DoD customer objectives into executable program plans, aligning cost, schedule, and performance with mission priorities.
• Guide multidisciplinary industry teams through complex integration efforts while collaborating with Navy program offices and partners.
• Develop and manage integrated schedules, program baselines, budgets, and risk frameworks.
• Apply disciplined systems engineering and acquisition processes across hull, mechanical & electrical (HM&E), combat systems, autonomy, and sustainment.
• Oversee integration of Government Furnished Equipment (GFE) and Contractor Furnished Equipment (CFE), ensuring timely and interoperable incorporation of subsystem and weapons technologies.
• Drive producibility, scalability, and shipyard readiness to support rapid deployment and sustainment.
• Ensure compliance with American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) standards and relevant Navy requirements and DOD regulations/CDRLs.
• Ensure disciplined application of systems engineering processes, including development of CONOPS, requirements deconstruction, and traceability, with a maintained Requirements Verification Traceability Matrix (RVTM) to validate contract deliverables and mission objectives.
• Support technical demonstrations, shipyard trials, lab and field testing, and integration activities with Navy and external partners.
• Drive iterative design-build-test-risk reduction cycles across hull, HM&E, combat systems, autonomy, and weapons integration.
• Oversee development of resilient shipboard software and hardware systems, ensuring integration with Navy Interface Control Documents (ICDs) and government-defined standards.
• Serve as a trusted key industry interface with NAVSEA, PEOs, program offices, and fleet stakeholders to ensure alignment with customer objectives.
• Build and manage relationships with subcontractors, suppliers, and subsystem primes to deliver integrated platforms at scale.
• Represent the company in Navy-led working groups, milestone reviews, and Integrated Product Teams (IPTs).
• Provide programmatic reporting and briefings to Navy stakeholders and senior company leadership.
• Engage with academic and research partners to incorporate innovation, autonomy, and advanced technologies into shipbuilding programs where applicable.
• Support business development and capture activities by shaping technical proposals, providing programmatic input, and ensuring customer alignment for follow-on opportunities.
• Develop and maintain a comprehensive risk management framework, including formal risk registers, to proactively mitigate technical, schedule, financial, and industrial base risks.
• Deliver transparent reporting on program performance to Navy stakeholders and internal company leadership.
• Provide cost and schedule variance analysis, milestone reports, and readiness assessments.
• Define and track technical performance metrics tied to integration, sustainment, and fleet availability.
• Provide detailed financial reporting and variance analysis to ensure strict adherence to cost, schedule, and technical baselines, across firm-fixed-price and other contract types.
• Deliver contractual reports and CDRLs in compliance with Navy requirements, ensuring accuracy and timeliness.
• Ensure company compliance with government security requirements, including classified material handling, cybersecurity, and OPSEC standards.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in engineering, business, naval architecture, or related technical field (Master's preferred).
• 12+ years of DoD program management experience, with at least 8+ years in shipbuilding or major defense acquisition programs of comparable scale.
• Demonstrated expertise in lifecycle management, acquisition processes, and integration of GFE and CFE across cutting edge ship platforms.
• Proven success in managing large, multi-billion-dollar budgets and multi-year program baselines.
• Experience coordinating with subsystem and weapons primes for complex system-of-systems integration.
• Strong leadership and communication skills, including experience presenting to Navy customers and senior company executives.
• Active DoD Secret clearance (Top Secret w/ SCI eligibility preferred).
• DAWIA Level III (or equivalent) in Program Management.
• Prior experience delivering shipbuilding programs with NAVSEA, PEO Ships, PEO USC, or other major Navy acquisition organizations.
• Experience overseeing shipyard readiness, full rate production throughput, and industrial base management.
• Familiarity with congressional budget processes and Navy PPBE.
• PMP certification or equivalent.
• Experience executing programs under multiple acquisition pathways, including FAR-based contracts, OTAs, and rapid prototyping authorities.
• Direct Service Branch experience in program management, acquisitions, or related Executive Branch experience.
• Proficiency in Japanese, Korean, Mandarin, or Arabic is preferred.

Benefits

• Medical Insurance: Comprehensive health insurance plans covering a range of services
• Saronic pays 100% of the premium for employees and 80% for dependents
• Dental and Vision Insurance: Coverage for routine dental check-ups, orthodontics, and vision care
• Saronic pays 99% of the premium for employees and 80% for dependents
• Time Off: Generous PTO and Holidays
• Parental Leave: Paid maternity and paternity leave to support new parents
• Competitive Salary: Industry-standard salaries with opportunities for performance-based bonuses
• Retirement Plan: 401(k) plan
• Stock Options: Equity options to give employees a stake in the company's success
• Life and Disability Insurance: Basic life insurance and short- and long-term disability coverage
• Additional Perks: Free lunch benefit and unlimited free drinks and snacks in the office

Physical Demands

• Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
• Lifting and carrying items up to 20 pounds occasionally (e.g., office supplies, packages).

This role requires access to export-controlled information or items that require "U.S. Person" status. As defined by U.S. law, individuals who are any one of the following are considered to be a "U.S. Person": (1) U.S. citizens, (2) legal permanent residents (a.k.a. green card holders), and (3) certain protected classes of asylees and refugees, as defined in <a href="https://usg02.safelinks.protection.office365.us/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.govinfo.gov%2Flink%2Fuscode%2F8%2F1324b&data=05%7C02%7Ckathy.allen%40saronic.com%7C0741723dfecb481cbd7708ddbf29ba35%7C97799b1f9a79413192f4d7e1a1e8fbf9%7C0%7C0%7C638876908115362021%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=1hAzwVtfQpqnE0HeX