Program Manager – Defense Programs

Location: Columbus, MS, US; primarily office-based. Full-time schedule is Monday–Thursday, 7:00 a.m.–5:30 p.m., with minimal travel.

Salary: $120,000–$140,000 annually.

Company

hirify.global operates in the aerospace and defense industry, supporting complex DoD programs and contracts.

What you will do

• Lead program planning, execution, delivery, schedules, milestones, resources, and contractual deliverables.
• Manage relationships with senior military leaders, government customers, prime contractors, and industry partners.
• Coordinate cross-functional teams across manufacturing, engineering, facilities, supply chain, and operations.
• Develop and monitor program budgets, costs, profitability, risks, opportunities, and mitigation plans.
• Maintain program governance, quality-control, DoD, ITAR, and contractual compliance, including CMMC readiness.
• Drive change management, rapid program ramp-up, strategic growth, supplier relationships, and continuous improvement.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent education, technical training, and professional experience.
• PMP, PgMP, or equivalent program/project management certification required.
• 10+ years of progressive program management experience in the DoD or defense industry.
• Experience managing large-scale defense programs and contracts at the $100M+ level.
• Experience working with senior military leaders and government customers, with strong understanding of defense manufacturing, supply chain, and operational environments.
• Advanced Microsoft Office proficiency, including MS Project, plus strong organization, attention to detail, and follow-through.

Nice to have

• Navy program experience is strongly preferred.
• Industry-side defense program management experience is preferred over primarily U.S. Government-side experience.
• ERP system experience.
• Lean Six Sigma Green Belt or Black Belt.

Culture & Benefits

• Leadership-level role with direct visibility to executive leadership.
• Hands-on ownership of program execution, accountability, customer trust, and business growth.
• Opportunity to support company growth toward $200M–$300M in annual revenue and a $750M–$1B opportunity pipeline.
• Minimal travel and a standard office-based work environment.