Program Manager

Job Description Level 3 Program Manager – Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) Location: Fort Worth or Austin, Texas Classification: Full-time, Exempt Seniority: Level 3 Program Manager Reports To: Director of Programs Company Description Purple Rhombus Inc. designs, builds, manufactures, and tests UAS for US government and commercial customers.

Focused on producibility, Purple Rhombus aircraft are designed for scale manufacture. We are seeking mission-driven individuals to join the team to build the next generation of unmanned aircraft.

Position Overview

Purple Rhombus is seeking a Level 3 Program Manager to lead planning, execution, and delivery of complex UAS programs across development, test, production, and fielding. This role is accountable for total program performance including scope, schedule, cost, risk, technical execution and government/industry customer interface.

The Level 3 PM operates as the primary customer-facing authority for assigned efforts and serves as the decision owner for program direction, recovery, escalation, and corrective action.

Key Responsibilities

Program Leadership and Execution Own full life-cycle responsibility for major UAS programs including prototype, Low-rate Initial Production (LRIP), Full-rate Production (FRP), and sustainment phases. Lead integrated program planning including requirements decomposition, schedule development, manufacturing ramp preparation, supply chain alignment, and test and fielding milestones.

Ensure execution against cost, schedule, performance, airworthiness, safety, and contractual requirements. Drive resolution of critical issues across engineering, manufacturing, test, quality, and mission operations. Financial and Contractual Ownership Own program financial baselines, forecasting, cash-flow alignment, and contract compliance.

Manage Contract Research and Development (CRAD) and Other Transaction Agreement (OTA) contracts, Indefinite Delivery, Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) awards, Contract Line Item Number (CLIN) tracking, and contract modifications. Direct proposal strategy, Rough Order of Magnitude (ROM) development, Basis of Estimate (BOE) generation, and risk-adjusted pricing for follow-on awards.

Risk, Opportunity, and Change Management Lead program risk management activities with actionable mitigations tied to technical and production execution. Implement formal change control processes across engineering, configuration, supply chain, and cost structures. Identify growth opportunities including follow-on production phases and modernization and upgrade pathways.

Required Qualifications Eight (8) or more years of program management or project management experience in aerospace, UAS, or defense. Proven success leading multi-year, multi-vehicle, production-grade programs. Deep familiarity with Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) and Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS), OTA, IDIQ, Contract Data Requirements List (CDRL), CLIN structure, Military Standard (MIL-STD) qualification, and government reporting cycles.

Demonstrated mastery of Integrated Master Schedule (IMS) development, Earned Value Management System (EVMS), risk burn-down, production ramp costing, and financial impacts including Net Working Capital (NWC). Experience transitioning programs from prototype through LRIP and FRP in an integrated hardware and software environment.

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Aerospace, Systems, or related technical field. Ability to travel to customer sites, test locations, and production facilities.

Preferred Qualifications

Master’s degree in Engineering, Systems Engineering, or Program and Technical Management. Project Management Professional (PMP), Defense Acquisition Workforce Improvement Act (DAWIA) PM Level III, or equivalent acquisition certification. Prior experience with autonomy, Command and Control (C2) datalinks, flight test operations, payload integration, and field deployment of unmanned platforms.

Experience with rapid acquisition pathways and urgent operational needs programs. Competencies and Attributes Executive-level communication capability with technical credibility. Decisive leadership under schedule and mission pressure. Ability to translate technical constraints into programmatic actions. Strategic thinker capable of shaping long-range production and sustainment planning.

Strong accountability for mission delivery and performance outcomes. Annual salary range $140,000–$170,000 Travel: 25% per year.

Benefits

Equity 401(k) 401(k) matching Dental insurance Health insurance Paid time off Vision insurance