Program Manager in Addison, Texas at Firehawk Aerospace Inc

FIREHAWK AEROSPACE
Program Manager
Addison, TX • On-site • Full-time
About the role
Firehawk Aerospace is advancing the next generation of propulsion systems for space and defense applications — hybrid and solid rocket motors built for the missions that matter. We are a defense tech startup that operates with the rigor customers demand and the speed the mission requires.
As a PM, you will own the execution of multiple concurrent efforts across our government and internal R&D portfolio. Your programs will span USG contracts and associated IRADs — technically complex, cross-functional, and high-stakes. You will be accountable for cost, schedule, performance, and stakeholder relationships from kickoff through delivery.
This is a mid/senior individual contributor role. You will not be handed a playbook. You will write one, run it, and improve it. We are looking for someone who brings structure to ambiguity, drives action without losing people, and treats program execution as a craft.
What you’ll own
• Own end-to-end execution across multiple concurrent programs — USG contracts, SBIRs, and IRADs — managing cost, schedule, performance, and risk simultaneously.
• Define and drive program approach and glide-paths at contract startup, building structure quickly and with intent.
• Build and maintain a task-level program structure in a PM tool (JIRA, Planner, Smartsheet, Microsoft Project or equivalent) that keeps cross-functional teams focused on the right work, at the right time, on the right timeline.
• Lead cross-functional coordination across engineering, supply chain, manufacturing ops, and external suppliers or subcontractors.
• Own USG customer relationships — communication, CDRL delivery, milestone reporting, and status briefs. Direct, accurate, no surprises.
• Surface and mitigate program risk proactively. Problems come with mitigation plans attached.
• Translate technical and programmatic complexity into clear, actionable status for leadership and government stakeholders.
• Manage supplier and partner performance tracking, technical coordination, and delivery accountability.
• Introduce and sustain PM process that works for team members. Make the structure an asset, not overhead.
• Report program progress and flag impacts of scope or schedule changes to leadership with speed and clarity.

What we need
Required
• 7+ years of program or project management experience in aerospace, defense, or complex hardware development environments.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple concurrent programs or workstreams independently, with accountability for outcomes.
• Hands-on experience with task management or PM tool used at the sub-task level — not just milestone tracking.
• Experience managing USG contracts (SBIR, OTA, or formal contract types) including customer-facing deliverables, milestone management, and contracting relationships.
• Experience delivering all major design reviews from Kickoff to Closeout (SRR, PDR, CDR, TRR, etc.)
• Strong cross-functional coordination skills — engineering, supply chain, and ops simultaneously.
• Proven ability to set up and run programs with minimal direction, especially at startup or in ambiguous environments.
• Crisp communicator in both directions - translates technical complexity up to leadership and government customers, and program priorities down to the team.
• High tolerance for pace and ambiguity. Recovers fast, adapts faster.
• U.S. citizenship or ability to comply with ITAR requirements.
Preferred
• Experience with propulsion systems, energetics, aerospace hardware, or test-driven development programs.
• Background supporting hardware build, integration, and test campaigns.
• USG-facing program management experience.
• Prior experience at a defense tech startup or early-stage aerospace company.
• Experience building PM infrastructure from scratch: templates, cadences, risk registers, dashboards.
• Active Secret clearance, or clearable.
• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, systems engineering, management, or a related technical field. Advanced degree a plus.

Who you are
You operate with high autonomy and low drama. You don’t wait for a playbook — you build one. You can walk into a program at any stage, assess what’s true, and have a path forward in motion before most people have finished the debrief.
You hold teams accountable without breaking trust. You make engineers want to work with you, not around you. You know the difference between process that protects a program and process that just protects a PM, and you only build the former.
You are comfortable in both worlds: rigorous CDRL reviews with government customers and fast-moving standups with a scrappy engineering team. You read the room and calibrate without being asked.
You get energy from outcomes, not appearances. If that sounds like you, we want to talk.

About Firehawk Aerospace
Firehawk Aerospace is a defense tech startup headquartered in Addison, Texas, developing next-generation propulsion systems for defense applications. Our team is small, technical, and mission driven. We build hardware that flies.

Location Addison, TX (on-site)
Level Program Manager IV (PM4)
Clearance None required. Active Secret or clearable a plus.
Compensation Competitive, commensurate with experience.
Benefits Full benefits package including equity participation.
Firehawk Aerospace is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, or veteran status. We comply with all applicable ITAR/EAR regulations.