Talent.com
Senior Director of Development Programs
Senior Director of Development ProgramsKarman Space & Defense • Mukilteo, WA, US
Senior Director of Development Programs

Senior Director of Development Programs

Karman Space & Defense • Mukilteo, WA, US
job_description.job_card.30_days_ago
serp_jobs.job_preview.job_type
  • serp_jobs.job_card.full_time
job_description.job_card.job_description

Job Description

Job Description

SUMMARY

The Senior Director of Development Programs is responsible for the strategic leadership, execution, and lifecycle oversight of complex aerospace development programs, including new product introductions (NPIs), advanced systems, defense contracts, and technology integration efforts. This executive-level role ensures alignment between program delivery, customer expectations, and long-term business goals, working closely with cross-functional leaders in engineering, operations, supply chain, contracts, and finance. The Director or Development Programs reports to the General Manager.

The ideal candidate brings deep aerospace industry expertise, strong program management leadership, and a proven track record of successfully delivering multi-phase development programs in a regulated, schedule-driven environment.

ABOUT US

Karman Space & Defense provides concept-to-production solutions for mission-critical systems on spacecraft, launch vehicles, missiles, hypersonics, and integrated defense systems. We believe that solving the industry’s most complex and mission-critical challenges requires relentless determination and a willingness to push the boundaries of possibility. Karman Space & Defense brings to bear unparalleled production capabilities, unmatched engineering expertise, and unflinching analysis to render the impossible, possible.

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS

  • Medical, Dental, Vision
  • Company Paid Life Insurance
  • 401(k) Retirement Savings Plan
  • Paid Time Off (PTO)
  • Paid Holidays
  • Tuition Reimbursement

WHAT YOU WILL DO

Program Leadership

  • Establish department goals, KPIs, and resource plans to meet delivery, quality, cost, and compliance objectives
  • Lead the planning, execution, and delivery of all major development programs, ensuring alignment with cost, schedule, technical, and quality objectives.
  • Oversee program lifecycle from concept through design, prototype, validation, certification, and production transition.
  • Serve as the executive interface to key customers, industry partners, and internal stakeholders.
  • Program & Product Development Oversight

  • Support capture and proposal efforts for new business opportunities, including technical strategy, work breakdown, resource planning, and cost estimation.
  • Develop program execution strategies and roadmaps that align with business priorities and long-term growth objectives.
  • Ensure effective integration of engineering, supply chain, operations, and quality functions into program delivery plans.
  • Own the development and management of program budgets, schedules, and performance metrics.
  • Team & People Leadership

  • Lead and mentor a high-performing team of program directors and support staff.
  • Promote a culture of accountability, transparency, and collaboration across cross-functional teams.
  • Foster leadership development and succession planning within the program organization.
  • Risk & Compliance Management

  • Identify and mitigate program risks and issues proactively, applying structured risk management processes.
  • Ensure compliance with all customers, contractual, export control (ITAR / EAR), and regulatory requirements (e.g., FAA, DoD standards).
  • Support internal and external audits, customer reviews, and program milestones (e.g., PDR, CDR, TRR).
  • Stakeholder Engagement

  • Serve as the executive point of contact for customers and program sponsors.
  • Provide regular program reviews, dashboards, and performance updates to the executive leadership team.
  • Negotiate scope changes, timelines, and program priorities with customers and internal leaders.
  • WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR

  • Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Aerospace, Business, Science or related field (Master’s preferred)
  • 15+ years of experience in aerospace, defense, or high-complexity manufacturing environments
  • 7+ years in a senior leadership role managing production / manufacturing engineering teams
  • Proven success managing complex aerospace or defense development programs (aircraft, satellites, avionics, propulsion, etc.)
  • Strong knowledge of systems engineering, design-to-cost, and certification processes (FAA, DoD, NASA, etc.)
  • Executive-level leadership and communication skills
  • Strong financial acumen and budget management capabilities
  • Deep understanding of technical program execution, hardware / software integration, and supplier management
  • High level of strategic thinking, situational awareness, and problem-solving
  • Experience with DoD acquisition lifecycle
  • PMP, PgMP, or equivalent program management certification preferred
  • Aerospace or defense industry experience with government and commercial customers
  • Experience in development of military or dual-use aerospace systems
  • Familiarity with proposal development, contract negotiation, and government compliance
  • Must be a U.S. citizen, ability to obtain SECRET Clearance
  • EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

    Equal Opportunity Employer / Protected Veterans / Individuals with Disabilities. The contractor will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor’s legal duty to furnish information.

    Karman is committed to equal employment opportunity. We will not discriminate against employees or applicants for employment on any legally recognized basis (“protected class”) including, but not limited to race; color; religion; genetic information; national origin; sex; pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions; age; disability; citizenship status; uniform servicemember status; or any other protected class under federal, state, or local law. Our management is dedicated to ensuring the fulfillment of this policy with respect to hiring, placement, promotion, transfer, demotion, layoff, termination, recruitment advertising, pay, and other forms of compensation, training, and general treatment during employment.

    serp_jobs.job_alerts.create_a_job

    Director Of Development • Mukilteo, WA, US

    Job_description.internal_linking.related_jobs
    Director of Partnerships

    Director of Partnerships

    VirtualVocations • Everett, Washington, United States
    serp_jobs.job_card.full_time
    A company is looking for a Director of Partnerships and Strategic Initiatives to lead its partnerships and external engagement strategy. Key Responsibilities Direct partnerships and external engag...serp_jobs.internal_linking.show_more
    serp_jobs.last_updated.last_updated_30 • serp_jobs.job_card.promoted
    Senior Director of Product

    Senior Director of Product

    VirtualVocations • Seattle, Washington, United States
    serp_jobs.job_card.full_time
    A company is looking for a Senior Director of Product to lead their Investor Data and API platform strategy.Key Responsibilities Define and own the product strategy and roadmap for data ingestion...serp_jobs.internal_linking.show_more
    serp_jobs.last_updated.last_updated_30 • serp_jobs.job_card.promoted
    Senior Director of Managed Care

    Senior Director of Managed Care

    VirtualVocations • Seattle, Washington, United States
    serp_jobs.job_card.full_time
    A company is looking for a Senior Director, Managed Care Accounts (Payers).Key Responsibilities Lead the national account team focused on payers, PBMs, and health plans to secure optimal product ...serp_jobs.internal_linking.show_more
    serp_jobs.last_updated.last_updated_variable_days • serp_jobs.job_card.promoted
    Deputy Director-Economic Development

    Deputy Director-Economic Development

    SoundTransit • Seattle, WA, United States
    serp_jobs.job_card.full_time
    Salary range is $118k to $216k, with a midpoint of $167k.New hires typically receive between minimum and midpoint, however, we may go slightly higher based on experience, internal equity and market...serp_jobs.internal_linking.show_more
    serp_jobs.last_updated.last_updated_variable_days • serp_jobs.job_card.promoted
    Director of Learning Programs

    Director of Learning Programs

    VirtualVocations • Everett, Washington, United States
    serp_jobs.job_card.full_time
    A company is looking for a Director of Learning Programs.Key Responsibilities Design breadth membership programs to upskill technical and productivity workers Create technical requirements and d...serp_jobs.internal_linking.show_more
    serp_jobs.last_updated.last_updated_variable_days • serp_jobs.job_card.promoted
    Senior Director of Principal Gifts

    Senior Director of Principal Gifts

    VirtualVocations • Everett, Washington, United States
    serp_jobs.job_card.full_time
    A company is looking for a Senior Director, Principal Gifts.Key Responsibilities Cultivate, solicit, and manage a portfolio of 60-80 prospective donors to achieve fundraising goals Lead strategi...serp_jobs.internal_linking.show_more
    serp_jobs.last_updated.last_updated_variable_hours • serp_jobs.job_card.promoted • serp_jobs.job_card.new
    Director of Application Development

    Director of Application Development

    VirtualVocations • Everett, Washington, United States
    serp_jobs.job_card.full_time
    A company is looking for a Director of Application Development (Remote).Key Responsibilities Lead and manage application development teams, providing guidance and support for project delivery Co...serp_jobs.internal_linking.show_more
    serp_jobs.last_updated.last_updated_variable_days • serp_jobs.job_card.promoted
    Senior Director of Services

    Senior Director of Services

    VirtualVocations • Seattle, Washington, United States
    serp_jobs.job_card.full_time
    A company is looking for a Senior Director of Services.Key Responsibilities Define the vision and build a leading AI services organization, recruiting and mentoring a high-performing team Own th...serp_jobs.internal_linking.show_more
    serp_jobs.last_updated.last_updated_variable_days • serp_jobs.job_card.promoted
    Director of Learning & Development

    Director of Learning & Development

    VirtualVocations • Everett, Washington, United States
    serp_jobs.job_card.full_time
    A company is looking for a Director of Learning & Development.Key Responsibilities Develop and implement a multi-year learning and development strategy aligned with growth objectives Oversee the...serp_jobs.internal_linking.show_more
    serp_jobs.last_updated.last_updated_1_hour • serp_jobs.job_card.promoted • serp_jobs.job_card.new
    Senior Director, Global Development Lead, Early Development

    Senior Director, Global Development Lead, Early Development

    Pfizer • Bothell, WA, US
    serp_jobs.job_card.full_time
    Support clinical trials and the development strategy for early development assets and lead development programs with a focus on multiple myeloma cross-functionally within Pfizer Oncology, as well a...serp_jobs.internal_linking.show_more
    serp_jobs.last_updated.last_updated_variable_days • serp_jobs.job_card.promoted
    Senior Director of M&A Integration

    Senior Director of M&A Integration

    VirtualVocations • Seattle, Washington, United States
    serp_jobs.job_card.full_time
    A company is looking for a Senior Director of GDATS M&A Integration.Key Responsibilities Serve as the primary liaison to the GDATS Senior Leadership Team on all M&A tech integration initiatives ...serp_jobs.internal_linking.show_more
    serp_jobs.last_updated.last_updated_variable_days • serp_jobs.job_card.promoted
    Director of Strategic Initiatives

    Director of Strategic Initiatives

    VirtualVocations • Everett, Washington, United States
    serp_jobs.job_card.full_time
    A company is looking for a Director of Global Industries and Solutions GTM Readiness Strategic Initiatives Project Management. Key Responsibilities Oversee a team focused on strategic initiatives,...serp_jobs.internal_linking.show_more
    serp_jobs.last_updated.last_updated_variable_days • serp_jobs.job_card.promoted
    Senior Director of Partnerships

    Senior Director of Partnerships

    MACHINISTS INSTITUTE • Seattle, WA, US
    serp_jobs.job_card.full_time
    The Machinists Institute (MI) is a 501©(3) nonprofit organization established by the International Association of Machinists & Aerospace Workers District 751. MI provides world-class traini...serp_jobs.internal_linking.show_more
    serp_jobs.last_updated.last_updated_30 • serp_jobs.job_card.promoted
    Senior Program Director

    Senior Program Director

    VirtualVocations • Everett, Washington, United States
    serp_jobs.job_card.full_time
    A company is looking for a Senior Program Director - Remote.Key Responsibilities Drive execution of operational plans for complex programs and initiatives related to assigned market segments Col...serp_jobs.internal_linking.show_more
    serp_jobs.last_updated.last_updated_variable_days • serp_jobs.job_card.promoted
    Senior Director, Partner Development

    Senior Director, Partner Development

    DocuSign • Seattle, WA, US
    serp_jobs.job_card.full_time
    Senior Director, Partner Development.Docusign brings agreements to life.Docusign solutions to accelerate the process of doing business and simplify people's lives. With intelligent agreement managem...serp_jobs.internal_linking.show_more
    serp_jobs.last_updated.last_updated_30 • serp_jobs.job_card.promoted
    Lead Director of Program Management

    Lead Director of Program Management

    VirtualVocations • Everett, Washington, United States
    serp_jobs.job_card.full_time
    A company is looking for a Lead Director, Program Management.Key Responsibilities Collaborate with clinical and operational leaders to identify business needs and strategic objectives Analyze cu...serp_jobs.internal_linking.show_more
    serp_jobs.last_updated.last_updated_variable_days • serp_jobs.job_card.promoted
    Senior Director of Product Management

    Senior Director of Product Management

    VirtualVocations • Seattle, Washington, United States
    serp_jobs.job_card.full_time
    A company is looking for a Senior Director / VP of Product Management for Add-On and Partner Products.Key Responsibilities Define and communicate product strategy and vision for add-on and partne...serp_jobs.internal_linking.show_more
    serp_jobs.last_updated.last_updated_30 • serp_jobs.job_card.promoted
    Development Director (Multifamily Construction Projects)

    Development Director (Multifamily Construction Projects)

    American Capital Group • Bellevue, WA, US
    serp_jobs.job_card.full_time
    Development Director (Multifamily Construction Projects).Development Director | Bellevue, WA.Founded in Bellevue, Washington in 1987, American Capital Group stands proud as a leader in real estate ...serp_jobs.internal_linking.show_more
    serp_jobs.last_updated.last_updated_30 • serp_jobs.job_card.promoted