Sr Principal Program Manager - Aerospace and Defense

Location: Richmond, California, US. U.S. Citizenship is required; the role involves access to technology subject to U.S. export-control laws, so candidates must qualify as a U.S. Person or be eligible for authorization under a U.S. government export license.

Salary: $178,334–$245,209 per year.

Company

hirify.global delivers engineered optical, opto-mechanical, and precision subsystem solutions for aerospace, defense, and commercial customers.

What you will do

• Lead complex programs from sales handoff and contract award through engineering, manufacturing, qualification, and delivery.
• Act as the primary customer interface for technical and schedule updates.
• Maintain integrated schedules, execution plans, program documentation, and reporting across engineering, operations, supply chain, quality, finance, and business development.
• Own program financials, including revenue, cost, margin, forecasting, and corrective actions.
• Identify and mitigate technical, schedule, supply chain, and financial risks; manage scope and contract changes.
• Resolve technical and quality issues and support proposals, vendor evaluations, feasibility reviews, and follow-on opportunities.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Applied Science, or a related technical discipline.
• 12+ years of program or project management experience in aerospace, defense, optics, or complex hardware; 10+ years accepted with an advanced degree.
• Experience leading technically complex hardware or opto-mechanical programs.
• Direct experience with aerospace, commercial, or government customers.
• Proven cross-functional leadership in a matrixed environment.
• U.S. Citizenship is required.

Nice to have

• Master’s degree in Engineering, Systems Engineering, or Business.
• Experience with aerospace prime or commercial programs.
• Background in optics, optical systems, or precision subsystem manufacturing.
• Familiarity with risk management frameworks and readiness reviews.
• Experience with ISO 9001 or AS9100 environments.
• Proficiency with tools such as Wrike.
• Strong executive-level presentation skills.

Culture & Benefits

• Individual-contributor role coordinating execution across a matrixed organization.
• Work supports advanced engineering, mechatronics, and high-precision manufacturing.
• Programs serve aerospace, defense, commercial, and government customers.
• Employment is full time.