Senior Program Manager / Product Manager - Directed Energy (LOCUST Programs)

We are seeking a Senior Program Manager / Product Manager to lead the execution and product strategy of AV's LOCUST family of Directed Energy systems in Albuquerque, NM. This individual will oversee all aspects of program delivery, customer engagement, and lifecycle management-from concept through sustainment-ensuring AV's Directed Energy portfolio continues to deliver decisive capability to U.S. and allied warfighters.

This role bridges program management, product vision, and business leadership, balancing technical execution with long-term product roadmap and market growth. The selected candidate will serve as the primary interface between customers, engineering, operations, and executive leadership, driving program success and shaping the evolution of AV's Directed Energy product line.

On any given day, the selected candidate may perform the following:

• Program Leadership: Oversee planning, execution, and performance of LOCUST programs, ensuring cost, schedule, and technical objectives are achieved in alignment with customer and company goals.
• Program Management / Execution: Responsible for day-to-day program management for various LOCUST programs, being responsible for cost, schedule, and performance.
• Oversee Estimate at Complete (EAC) development and financial monitoring for firm-fixed-price (FFP), cost-plus-fixed-fee (CPFF), and Time and Materiel (T&M) contracts.
• Product Strategy & Lifecycle Ownership: Define, execute, and manage the long-term product roadmap ("sunrise to sunset") for LOCUST systems, aligning with AV's Directed Energy strategic objectives.
• Customer Engagement: Act as the voice of the customer, balancing business capabilities and values with customer mission needs. Lead engagement with Army, DoD, and industry stakeholders to capture feedback and shape future capabilities.
• Market Analysis & Competitive Intelligence: Maintain deep understanding of the product's mission space, goals, market dynamics, competitors, and evolving customer needs. Conduct market and technology research to guide product direction.
• Cross-Functional Leadership: Participate in all phases of the product development lifecycle, providing input and oversight through requirements definition, design, integration, test, and delivery.
• Customer Feedback Integration: Establish and maintain feedback loops to ensure customer experience, field performance, and mission data directly inform ongoing development and sustainment priorities.
• Business Development Support: Collaborate with BD and Capture teams to identify and pursue growth opportunities, define value propositions, and prepare proposals and briefings.
• Financial Performance: Develop sales forecasts, pricing strategies, and business models that drive growth, profitability, and competitiveness within the market.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in engineering, physics, or business.
• 10 years' experience in Program Management and/or Product Management within the defense, aerospace, or high-technology sectors.
• Proven track record leading complex, multi-disciplinary DoD programs-preferably involving Directed Energy, Counter-UAS, or Advanced Weapons Systems.
• Strong understanding of DoD acquisition processes, contracts (FAR/DFARS, OTA), and program lifecycle management.
• Demonstrated experience managing cost, schedule, and performance baselines across multiple concurrent projects.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. DoD Secret (or higher) security clearance.

Desired Qualifications

• Master's degree in engineering, physics, or business.
• Experience with laser weapon systems, beam control, or power and thermal subsystems.
• Experience with sustaining weapon systems for the DoD.
• Experience with MOSA / SOSA framework
• Experience with Earned Value / FAR based programs.
• Prior engagement with Army RCCTO, AMD-CFT, SMDC, or TRMC programs.
• PMP, PgMP, or DAU Program Management certification.
• Experience leading geographically distributed teams and subcontractor partners.
• Exceptional communication and presentation skills with ability to interface effectively at all organizational levels-internal and external.

Salary Range: $140K - $180K

• The BlueHalo pay range for this job level is a general guideline only and not a guarantee of compensation or salary. Determination of official compensation or salary relies on several factors including, but not limited to, level of position, job responsibilities, geographic location, scope of relevant work experience, educational background, certifications, contract-specific affordability, organizational requirements, alignment with local internal equity as well as alignment with market data.
• Our compensation package also includes components designed to support employees' total well-being, which should be considered when evaluating our competitive benefits package. These benefits include health insurance, life insurance, disability, company holiday and paid time off, parental leave, 401(k) company match and contributions, professional development/training reimbursements, and other work/life programs.