Senior Program Manager in McLean, Virginia at Cakeboxx Technologies LLC

CakeBoxx Technologies engineers solutions that standard solutions cannot solve. We are best known for our patented two-piece container, but over 15 years we have developed and patented a range of deployable, secure, and practical solutions purpose-built to the most complex customer requirements across defense,
aerospace, energy, and high-tech industries. By taking complex requirements and turning them into Systems Within Systems™ solutions engineered around the mission, we have established a trusted reputation with some of the most demanding programs in the world.

We hold a DHS SAFETY Act designation, operate under BAA compliance requirements, and count Lockheed Martin, Boeing, General Dynamics Mission Systems, Anduril, ASML, and Archer Aviation among our customers.
We are growing and we are looking for a seasoned Senior Program Manager with proven experience taking complex customer requirements through production to delivery. You work closely with Engineering to ensure the build fully meets customer requirements and expectations. You own the production schedule, proactively
identify and mitigate risks, and know how to problem solve to protect the customer's Required Delivery Date.

Key Responsibilities
End-to-end program execution — from customer requirements through production, quality, and on-time delivery, with full accountability for schedule, budget, and technical compliance
Direct daily collaboration with Engineering to ensure every technical requirement is comprehensively captured, reflected in the build, and verifiable at delivery
Procurement management — materials, components, and long-lead items identified early, sourced on time, and available when production requires them
Production schedule ownership — you build it, you drive it, and you hold every internal and external stakeholder to it
The customer's Required Delivery Date is your primary performance metric — you plan to it, monitor against it, and resolve anything threatening it before it becomes a problem
Detailed, maintained Gantt schedules in Microsoft Project, Smartsheet, or equivalent — baseline control, critical path management, and schedule recovery when conditions change
Vendor and supply chain management — delivery commitments, sourcing risks, and BOM availability tracked and resolved proactively
Structured program reviews, technical checkpoints, action-item tracking, and customer status reporting that drive decisions, not just document them
Budget management, risk registers, procurement milestones, and formal change control
Fabrication, coatings, inspection, FAT, and delivery milestone oversight through customer acceptance
Configuration management and documentation control across SharePoint, Windchill, and PMO systems
SOW compliance and formal contract deliverable management
CakeBoxx Technologies, LLC | 1499 Chain Bridge Road, Suite 104, McLean, VA 22101 Page 2
Clear, accurate executive and customer reporting — no surprises

Required Qualifications
Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Systems Engineering, Industrial Engineering, or a related technical discipline
PMP certification required
At least 10–12 years of hands-on program management experience driving complex programs from inception to completion in the defense and aerospace industry — this is a non-negotiable floor
Direct experience working in the defense and aerospace industry is required
Military background or direct experience working with U.S. military branches such as the U.S. Navy, Army, Air Force, or Marines is required
Proven experience managing DoD contracts with full understanding of contract compliance, deliverable tracking, and program execution requirements
Strong technical background with the ability to engage directly with engineers — reading drawings, interrogating BOMs, understanding fabrication sequences, structural requirements, coatings, and integration dependencies, and knowing what each means for your schedule
A demonstrated record of managing complex, multi-vendor programs with full budget and schedule accountability
Procurement discipline — you know how to get ahead of long-lead items and you do not wait to be told there is a problem
Expert command of scheduling tools — Microsoft Project, Smartsheet, or equivalent — including critical path analysis, earned value, and baseline management
Proven ability to lead and align cross-functional engineering and operations teams around a single delivery objective
Demonstrated experience with risk management frameworks and formal risk mitigation planning —identifying, assessing, and resolving risks before they impact schedule, budget, or delivery
Strong understanding of SOW development and contract scope management — ability to define, interpret, and hold the line on scope across the full program lifecycle
Strong proposal writing skills — ability to develop clear, compelling, and compliant proposals in response to customer requirements and solicitations
Communication that is direct, credible, and effective whether in an engineering review, a customer program review, or a conversation with senior leadership
Ability to manage multiple programs simultaneously with consistent attention to each
U.S. Citizenship required
Must work full-time, on-site in McLean, VA

Preferred Qualifications
Military background, particularly U.S. Navy or other defense branch experience, is a strong plus
Working knowledge of Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR) and Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation
Supplement (DFARS) and their impact on program execution and contract compliance
Earned value management and DCAA compliance experience on government or prime-side programs
Familiarity with MIL-STD specifications and standards including MIL-STD-810 and MIL-STD-1472
Experience with DLA contracts and defense supply chain compliance requirements
CakeBoxx Technologies, LLC | 1499 Chain Bridge Road, Suite 104, McLean, VA 22101 Page 3
Familiarity with AS9100 or ISO 9001 quality management systems and their application in a defense manufacturing environment
Strong understanding of supply chain management — vendor qualification, sourcing strategy, BOM management, and supplier performance in a defense or aerospace environment
CMMC awareness and understanding of supply chain cybersecurity compliance requirements
Experience supporting BAA or Buy American Act compliance programs
Familiarity with Windchill, SolidWorks, Creo, or similar PLM/CAD environments
Experience with ITAR requirements and controlled unclassified information (CUI) handling
Customer-facing program leadership experience as a prime or subcontractor — you have owned the relationship and the conversation directly with a government customer or defense prime