Technical Program Manager

Rancho Santa Margarita, CA
Full Time
Engineering
Experienced
Job Title:Technical Program ManagerJob Level:  Advanced
Department:Engineering Reports to Title: VP of Engineering
Palomar Products
Founded in 1970 and located in Rancho Santa Margarita, CA, Palomar Products is a global leader in highly reliable secure intercommunication systems for airborne and naval military applications.  This includes switching and crew-position units for airborne, shipboard, unmanned, and ground applications for multi-mission platforms.  Our systems operate in over 250 unique aircrafts and 9 classes of naval warships around the globe.
Job Summary:
The successful candidate will be responsible for overseeing, executing, and implementing engineering and program management controls across multiple medium- to large-scale engineering development programs running concurrently. These programs focus on the development of Palomar’s advanced multi-level secure Inter Communication Systems (ICS), which are integrated and deployed across various military platforms. This role will report directly to the Vice President of Engineering and have secondary oversight from the Business Unit Manager (BUM). The candidate will be accountable for managing and ensuring the compliance and successful execution of the Statement of Work, particularly in relation to Non-Recurring Engineering (NRE) efforts.
 
Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Key Responsibilities:
  • Establish, execute, and manage comprehensive project plans that outline tasks, schedules, resource allocation, cost analysis, and priorities to ensure successful program delivery.
  • Participate in the creation and management of project budgets, including detailed cost estimations and financial tracking to ensure programs remain on budget and within financial constraints. Provide Estimate to Complete (ETC) and Estimate at Complete (EAC) forecasts.
  • Collaborate with the Business Unit Manager and Account Manager to define and maintain program objectives, scope, and deliverables in alignment with business goals and customer requirements.
  • Collaborates with technical and business development teams to refine tasking and effort estimates for proposal submissions, ensuring alignment with project requirements and scope to deliver competitive proposals.
  • Lead project development activities through the full Life Cycle Management (LCM), ensuring adherence to defined stage gate processes and the timely delivery of technical milestones.
  • Guide engineering development through the entire lifecycle of the program, including design, development, documentation, testing, and certification, to meet customer requirements and quality standards.
  • Proactively identify and assess program risks and opportunities, providing solutions and developing mitigation strategies to minimize potential impacts on project success.
  • Provide and present detailed and regular updates to management on key project metrics, including cost, schedule, technical performance, and risk/opportunity management.
  • Oversee and manage scope changes in collaboration with customers, ensuring that any modifications to the project’s scope are well-understood, documented, and reflected in updated schedules and budgets.
  • Identify opportunities for process improvements and cost reductions throughout the lifecycle of the program, driving continuous improvement in both engineering and programmatic aspects.
  • Serve as the primary point of contact between Engineering and other organizational functions, providing project interface to departments outside of Engineering, such as sales, finance, and operations.
  • Adhere to Palomar’s Code of Business Conduct and Ethics, ensuring that all work is conducted with integrity and in full compliance with regulatory and ethical standards.
  • Perform other duties and responsibilities as assigned by the Vice President of Engineering, contributing to continuous improvement and the overall success of the engineering department.
Essential Skills and Required Experience:
  • Program Management Expertise: In-depth knowledge and practical experience in applying Project Management Professional (PMP) principles, techniques, and methodologies to complex, multi-faceted design and development programs.
  • Avionics Industry Knowledge: Proven experience with military avionics systems development, particularly in systems with hardware, firmware and software development, and a strong understanding of industry standards and practices, including DO-178, DO-254, and DO-160.
  • Leadership & Collaboration: Strong leadership abilities, with a track record of effectively managing and mentoring cross-functional teams. Demonstrated skill in building and maintaining relationships with internal and external stakeholders, including customers, suppliers, and regulatory bodies.
  • Cost & Budget Management: Exceptional budgeting and financial management skills, with a proven ability to drive cost containment and optimize program financials while ensuring that all deliverables meet customer requirements.
  • Communication Skills: Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to clearly convey complex technical information to diverse audiences, including customers, senior management, and cross-functional teams.
  • Risk & Opportunity Management: Experienced in the proactive management of program risks and opportunities, ensuring the program remains on track and that any potential issues are mitigated before they impact deliverables.
  • Compliance & Regulatory Knowledge: In-depth understanding of industry compliance standards and regulations, including military standards, as well as the ability to manage customer and FAA audits effectively.
  • Technical Expertise: Familiarity with engineering and avionics development, including software, firmware, mechanical, and electronic subsystems, and systems integration.
  • Tool Proficiency: Proficient in MS Project, MS Office Suite, and other project management tools to effectively track and report project performance.
Qualifications
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Level III ($115K - $155K)
  • Bachelor’s Degree in an Engineering discipline (or the equivalent combination of education and experience) and certified as a Project Management Professional (PMP) preferred.  Requires 4-7 years of project management experience as a Project Engineer or Program Manager.
  • Works under general direction.  Participates in determining objectives of assignment.  Establishes work prioritization and arranges own activities in accomplishing objectives.  Work is reviewed upon completion to ensure that objectives have been met.
  • Data driven decision making.
  • Works on problems of medium scope and complexity.  Demonstrates good judgment in selecting methods and techniques for obtaining solutions.
  • Self-starter with a sense of urgency with the ability to manage a few small projects simultaneously.

Level IV ($135K – $185K)
  • Bachelor’s Degree in an Engineering discipline (or the equivalent combination of education and experience) and certified as a Project Management Professional (PMP). Requires 7+ years of project management experience as a Project Engineer or Program Manager.
  • Highly independent, works with minimal supervision, able to establish work prioritization and arranges own activities in accomplishing objectives. Reviews the team’s work to ensure the objectives have been met. 
  • Data driven decision making.
  • Works on problems of large scope and high complexity, where analysis of data requires evaluation of identifiable factors.  Demonstrates excellent judgment in selecting methods and techniques for obtaining solutions. 
  • Self-starter with a sense of urgency with the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.
  • Mentors less experienced TPM’s, providing continuous improvement of their skillset and establishing standard work practices for all projects.
Physical Demands
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to stand, walk, sit, use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools or controls; reach with hands and arms; talk and hear and occasionally required to climb stairs; balance; stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl. The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities usually required by this job include close, distance, color and peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.
Work Environment
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is not exposed to weather conditions. This job operates in a professional office environment floor. This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, filing cabinets and fax machines.

Nothing in this job description restricts management's right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time. This job description does not constitute a written or implied contract of employment.

*Must be authorized to work in the U.S.
**This position requires either a US Person (as defined in applicable export regulations) or a non-US person who is eligible to obtain required export authorization**

International Trade Compliance Requirements (add each point only if applicable)
  • To conform to U.S. export control regulations, applicant should be eligible for any required authorizations from the U.S. Government
  • Must hold or be eligible for a U.S. Government security clearance
  • Must be eligible to serve as an Empowered Official under the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR)

*To comply with U.S. export laws and regulations, Palomar Products Inc. operations in the U.S. may only employ "U.S. Persons" as defined by the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR).

**​Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) and Affirmative Action (AAP) Employer

Palomar Products is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace and is an affirmative action employer. We are committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of age, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, medical condition, national origin, marital status, disability, pregnancy or parental status, childbirth, genetic information, or military and veteran status. Request an Accommodation. Read further information regarding Affirmative Action narrative availability.

Palomar Products participates in E-Verify: Details in English and Spanish. Right to Work Statement in English and Spanish. EEO is the law. Pay Transparency Nondiscrimination Provision.

Share

Apply for this position

Required*
Apply with Indeed
We've received your resume. Click here to update it.
Attach resume or Paste resume
Attach resume as .pdf, .doc, .docx, .odt, .txt, or .rtf (limit 5MB) or Paste resume

Paste your resume here or Attach resume file

To comply with government Equal Employment Opportunity and/or Affirmative Action reporting regulations, we are requesting (but NOT requiring) that you enter this personal data. This information will not be used in connection with any employment decisions, and will be used solely as permitted by state and federal law. Your voluntary cooperation would be appreciated. Learn more.
Invitation for Job Applicants to Self-Identify as a U.S. Veteran
  • A “disabled veteran” is one of the following:
    • a veteran of the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service who is entitled to compensation (or who but for the receipt of military retired pay would be entitled to compensation) under laws administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs; or
    • a person who was discharged or released from active duty because of a service-connected disability.
  • A “recently separated veteran” means any veteran during the three-year period beginning on the date of such veteran's discharge or release from active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval, or air service.
  • An “active duty wartime or campaign badge veteran” means a veteran who served on active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service during a war, or in a campaign or expedition for which a campaign badge has been authorized under the laws administered by the Department of Defense.
  • An “Armed forces service medal veteran” means a veteran who, while serving on active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service, participated in a United States military operation for which an Armed Forces service medal was awarded pursuant to Executive Order 12985.
Veteran status


Voluntary Self-Identification of Disability
Voluntary Self-Identification of Disability Form CC-305
OMB Control Number 1250-0005
Expires 04/30/2026
Why are you being asked to complete this form?

We are a federal contractor or subcontractor. The law requires us to provide equal employment opportunity to qualified people with disabilities. We have a goal of having at least 7% of our workers as people with disabilities. The law says we must measure our progress towards this goal. To do this, we must ask applicants and employees if they have a disability or have ever had one. People can become disabled, so we need to ask this question at least every five years.

Completing this form is voluntary, and we hope that you will choose to do so. Your answer is confidential. No one who makes hiring decisions will see it. Your decision to complete the form and your answer will not harm you in any way. If you want to learn more about the law or this form, visit the U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP) website at www.dol.gov/ofccp.

How do you know if you have a disability?

A disability is a condition that substantially limits one or more of your “major life activities.” If you have or have ever had such a condition, you are a person with a disability. Disabilities include, but are not limited to:

  • Alcohol or other substance use disorder (not currently using drugs illegally)
  • Autoimmune disorder, for example, lupus, fibromyalgia, rheumatoid arthritis, HIV/AIDS
  • Blind or low vision
  • Cancer (past or present)
  • Cardiovascular or heart disease
  • Celiac disease
  • Cerebral palsy
  • Deaf or serious difficulty hearing
  • Diabetes
  • Disfigurement, for example, disfigurement caused by burns, wounds, accidents, or congenital disorders
  • Epilepsy or other seizure disorder
  • Gastrointestinal disorders, for example, Crohn's Disease, irritable bowel syndrome
  • Intellectual or developmental disability
  • Mental health conditions, for example, depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety disorder, schizophrenia, PTSD
  • Missing limbs or partially missing limbs
  • Mobility impairment, benefiting from the use of a wheelchair, scooter, walker, leg brace(s) and/or other supports
  • Nervous system condition, for example, migraine headaches, Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis (MS)
  • Neurodivergence, for example, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), autism spectrum disorder, dyslexia, dyspraxia, other learning disabilities
  • Partial or complete paralysis (any cause)
  • Pulmonary or respiratory conditions, for example, tuberculosis, asthma, emphysema
  • Short stature (dwarfism)
  • Traumatic brain injury
Please check one of the boxes below:

PUBLIC BURDEN STATEMENT: According to the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 no persons are required to respond to a collection of information unless such collection displays a valid OMB control number. This survey should take about 5 minutes to complete.

You must enter your name and date
Human Check*