Technical Program Manager

Palomar

United States, California, Rancho Santa Margarita

Jan 23, 2025

Job Title:	Technical Program Manager	Job Level:	Advanced
Department:	Engineering	Reports to Title:	VP of Engineering
Palomar Products Founded in 1970 and located in Rancho Santa Margarita, CA, Palomar Products is a global leader in highly reliable secure intercommunication systems for airborne and naval military applications. This includes switching and crew-position units for airborne, shipboard, unmanned, and ground applications for multi-mission platforms. Our systems operate in over 250 unique aircrafts and 9 classes of naval warships around the globe. Job Summary: The successful candidate will be responsible for overseeing, executing, and implementing engineering and program management controls across multiple medium- to large-scale engineering development programs running concurrently. These programs focus on the development of Palomar's advanced multi-level secure Inter Communication Systems (ICS), which are integrated and deployed across various military platforms. This role will report directly to the Vice President of Engineering and have secondary oversight from the Business Unit Manager (BUM). The candidate will be accountable for managing and ensuring the compliance and successful execution of the Statement of Work, particularly in relation to Non-Recurring Engineering (NRE) efforts.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
Key Responsibilities: Establish, execute, and manage comprehensive project plans that outline tasks, schedules, resource allocation, cost analysis, and priorities to ensure successful program delivery. Participate in the creation and management of project budgets, including detailed cost estimations and financial tracking to ensure programs remain on budget and within financial constraints. Provide Estimate to Complete (ETC) and Estimate at Complete (EAC) forecasts. Collaborate with the Business Unit Manager and Account Manager to define and maintain program objectives, scope, and deliverables in alignment with business goals and customer requirements. Collaborates with technical and business development teams to refine tasking and effort estimates for proposal submissions, ensuring alignment with project requirements and scope to deliver competitive proposals. Lead project development activities through the full Life Cycle Management (LCM), ensuring adherence to defined stage gate processes and the timely delivery of technical milestones. Guide engineering development through the entire lifecycle of the program, including design, development, documentation, testing, and certification, to meet customer requirements and quality standards. Proactively identify and assess program risks and opportunities, providing solutions and developing mitigation strategies to minimize potential impacts on project success. Provide and present detailed and regular updates to management on key project metrics, including cost, schedule, technical performance, and risk/opportunity management. Oversee and manage scope changes in collaboration with customers, ensuring that any modifications to the project's scope are well-understood, documented, and reflected in updated schedules and budgets. Identify opportunities for process improvements and cost reductions throughout the lifecycle of the program, driving continuous improvement in both engineering and programmatic aspects. Serve as the primary point of contact between Engineering and other organizational functions, providing project interface to departments outside of Engineering, such as sales, finance, and operations. Adhere to Palomar's Code of Business Conduct and Ethics, ensuring that all work is conducted with integrity and in full compliance with regulatory and ethical standards. Perform other duties and responsibilities as assigned by the Vice President of Engineering, contributing to continuous improvement and the overall success of the engineering department. Essential Skills and Required Experience: Program Management Expertise: In-depth knowledge and practical experience in applying Project Management Professional (PMP) principles, techniques, and methodologies to complex, multi-faceted design and development programs. Avionics Industry Knowledge: Proven experience with military avionics systems development, particularly in systems with hardware, firmware and software development, and a strong understanding of industry standards and practices, including DO-178, DO-254, and DO-160. Leadership & Collaboration: Strong leadership abilities, with a track record of effectively managing and mentoring cross-functional teams. Demonstrated skill in building and maintaining relationships with internal and external stakeholders, including customers, suppliers, and regulatory bodies. Cost & Budget Management: Exceptional budgeting and financial management skills, with a proven ability to drive cost containment and optimize program financials while ensuring that all deliverables meet customer requirements. Communication Skills: Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to clearly convey complex technical information to diverse audiences, including customers, senior management, and cross-functional teams. Risk & Opportunity Management: Experienced in the proactive management of program risks and opportunities, ensuring the program remains on track and that any potential issues are mitigated before they impact deliverables. Compliance & Regulatory Knowledge: In-depth understanding of industry compliance standards and regulations, including military standards, as well as the ability to manage customer and FAA audits effectively. Technical Expertise: Familiarity with engineering and avionics development, including software, firmware, mechanical, and electronic subsystems, and systems integration. Tool Proficiency: Proficient in MS Project, MS Office Suite, and other project management tools to effectively track and report project performance.
Qualifications
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Level III ($115K - $155K) Bachelor's Degree in an Engineering discipline (or the equivalent combination of education and experience) and certified as a Project Management Professional (PMP) preferred. Requires 4-7 years of project management experience as a Project Engineer or Program Manager. Works under general direction. Participates in determining objectives of assignment. Establishes work prioritization and arranges own activities in accomplishing objectives. Work is reviewed upon completion to ensure that objectives have been met. Data driven decision making. Works on problems of medium scope and complexity. Demonstrates good judgment in selecting methods and techniques for obtaining solutions. Self-starter with a sense of urgency with the ability to manage a few small projects simultaneously. Level IV ($135K - $185K) Bachelor's Degree in an Engineering discipline (or the equivalent combination of education and experience) and certified as a Project Management Professional (PMP). Requires 7+ years of project management experience as a Project Engineer or Program Manager. Highly independent, works with minimal supervision, able to establish work prioritization and arranges own activities in accomplishing objectives. Reviews the team's work to ensure the objectives have been met. Data driven decision making. Works on problems of large scope and high complexity, where analysis of data requires evaluation of identifiable factors. Demonstrates excellent judgment in selecting methods and techniques for obtaining solutions. Self-starter with a sense of urgency with the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously. Mentors less experienced TPM's, providing continuous improvement of their skillset and establishing standard work practices for all projects.
Physical Demands
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to stand, walk, sit, use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools or controls; reach with hands and arms; talk and hear and occasionally required to climb stairs; balance; stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl. The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities usually required by this job include close, distance, color and peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.
Work Environment
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is not exposed to weather conditions. This job operates in a professional office environment floor. This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, filing cabinets and fax machines.

Nothing in this job description restricts management's right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time. This job description does not constitute a written or implied contract of employment.

*Must be authorized to work in the U.S.
**This position requires either a US Person (as defined in applicable export regulations) or a non-US person who is eligible to obtain required export authorization**

International Trade Compliance Requirements (add each point only if applicable)

To conform to U.S. export control regulations, applicant should be eligible for any required authorizations from the U.S. Government
Must hold or be eligible for a U.S. Government security clearance
Must be eligible to serve as an Empowered Official under the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR)

*To comply with U.S. export laws and regulations, Palomar Products Inc. operations in the U.S. may only employ "U.S. Persons" as defined by the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR).

**Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) and Affirmative Action (AAP) Employer

Palomar Products is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace and is an affirmative action employer. We are committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of age, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, medical condition, national origin, marital status, disability, pregnancy or parental status, childbirth, genetic information, or military and veteran status. Request an Accommodation. Read further information regarding Affirmative Action narrative availability.

Palomar Products participates in E-Verify: Details in English and Spanish. Right to Work Statement in English and Spanish. EEO is the law. Pay Transparency Nondiscrimination Provision.