Senior Defense Systems Program Manager

Description:
On-site in Carlsbad, CA

Our client seeks a senior, technically oriented Defense Systems Program Manager to own complex sensing-related programs and potentially a broader portfolio. The role requires a technical leader who transitioned into program management, can understand the technology deeply enough to challenge engineering leadership, and will maintain responsibility for overall program execution within classified SAP and SCI environments.

Due to client requirements, applicants must be willing and able to work on a w2 basis. For our w2 consultants, we offer a great benefits package that includes Medical, Dental, and Vision benefits, 401k with company matching, and life insurance.

Rate: $100 to $125/hr. w2

Responsibilities:

• Own defense programs or portfolios from technical strategy through execution.
• Serve as the primary accountable leader for program performance.
• Understand the organization's technical vision and proactively drive execution against it.
• Work closely with Project Engineers, architects, and technical leadership.
• Challenge technical assumptions, schedules, risks, and engineering approaches when appropriate.
• Manage complex customer and stakeholder relationships.
• Coordinate program priorities across engineering, leadership, customers, and mission stakeholders.
• Proactively identify opportunities, risks, and next steps rather than waiting for assigned tasks.
• Navigate classified program environments, including SAP and SCI programs.

Experience Requirements:

• Approximately 10-12+ years of relevant engineering, program-management, or defense-systems experience.
• Strong technical foundation, ideally beginning as an engineer or technical systems professional.
• Experience leading complex defense technology programs.
• Experience with radar, RF, sensing, ISR, electronic warfare, or similarly complex technical systems preferred.
• Demonstrated experience operating within Special Access Program (SAP) and SCI environments.
• Ability to understand sophisticated engineering efforts without needing to personally write code.
• Executive-level communication and stakeholder-management skills.
• Strong ownership mentality and ability to operate autonomously.

Recruitment Transparency Notice



Eliassen Group values transparency in our recruitment practices. Please be advised that Eliassen Group utilizes artificial intelligence (AI) tools as part of its initial application screening and hiring process. You may receive email and SMS notifications from the Eliassen Virtual Recruiting Team (, ) inviting you to complete a brief voice screening as part of your application process. These tools assist our hiring teams in different ways, including but not limited to, assistance in reviewing application materials to help identify candidates whose qualifications most closely match the requirements of the position. All AI-assisted evaluations and responses are reviewed by human recruiters before any hiring decisions are made. The use of AI in our process is intended to support fairness, efficiency, and consistency, and Eliassen Group takes measures to prevent bias or discrimination in connection with its hiring practices. By proceeding, you acknowledge, agree, and consent to Eliassen Group's use of these tools, including AI tools, as part of the application and hiring process.

Skills, experience, and other compensable factors will be considered when determining pay rate. The pay range provided in this posting reflects a W2 hourly rate; other employment options may be available that may result in pay outside of the provided range.

W2 employees of Eliassen Group who are regularly scheduled to work 30 or more hours per week are eligible for the following benefits: medical (choice of 3 plans), dental, vision, pre-tax accounts, other voluntary benefits including life and disability insurance, 401(k) with match, and sick time if required by law in the worked-in state/locality.
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About Eliassen Group:

Eliassen Group is a strategic consulting firm that helps organizations reach further and achieve more through our technology, business advisory, and life sciences solutions. For nearly 40 years, we have combined exceptional people, deep domain expertise, and intelligent capabilities to expand our clients' capacity and accelerate meaningful outcomes. We are driven by a purpose to positively impact the lives of our employees, clients, consultants, and the communities we serve.

Eliassen is committed to building a diverse and inclusive team from a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills. We are an Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer and all employment decisions are based on merit, performance, and business needs. Eliassen does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, gender identity or expression, sexual preference or orientation, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, and related medical conditions), marital status, creed, religion, physical or mental disability, genetic information, military or veteran status, age, ancestry, national origin, citizenship status, prohibited criminal record inquiries of applicants and employees, or any other category protected by federal, state, or local laws.

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