Program Manager, Shift5

• Experience in aerospace, defense, or high-reliability technical environments
• Demonstrated ability to lead complex, cross-functional programs valued at $20M+
• Strong working knowledge of Earned Value Management (EVM), risk management, and contract compliance principles
• Comfort operating in regulated, mission-critical, fast-growth environments
• Excellent executive communication and stakeholder management skills
• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Business, or related field (Master’s preferred)

Desirable

• We are seeking a mission-aligned Program Manager to drive operational execution across defense programs and ensure predictable, compliant, and high-quality delivery to our government customers
• This role sits at the intersection of engineering, growth, and finance and will play a critical role in supporting Shift5’s next phase of growth
• This is not a passive coordination role. It requires strong ownership, technical fluency, executive presence, and the ability to drive accountability across cross-functional teams in a complex DoD environment
• Lead and execute defense programs across cost, schedule, technical performance, and contractual compliance
• Own integrated program plans, schedules, budgets, risk registers, and performance tracking mechanisms
• Partner closely with engineering, product, growth, finance, legal, and executive leadership to align delivery with customer expectations
• Drive measurable impact in program predictability, customer satisfaction, and revenue realization
• Identify and act on opportunities to improve execution rigor, reporting cadence, and cross-functional coordination
• Navigate DoD acquisition environments including FAR/DFARS contracts, OTAs, and gated technical reviews (SRR, PDR, CDR, TRR)
• Contribute directly to scalable program infrastructure as Shift5 expands across Army, Air Force, and other defense programs
• What Success Looks Like
• Deliver on-time, on-budget, and fully compliant program milestones within the first 90 days
• Establish credibility and trust with government customers and internal technical teams
• Improve visibility into program performance through structured reporting and risk management
• Reduce execution churn and last-minute surprises through disciplined planning and review cadence
• Contribute to sustainable, scalable growth in our defense portfolio