About this opportunity

Affinity Executive Search lists this Senior Technical Program Manager opportunity in sioux falls, South Dakota. Review the employer’s description below for duties, qualifications and application requirements.

Job description

Job description:

We are seeking an experienced Senior Technical Program Manager to lead complex Stratospheric Balloon and Radar programs from early customer engagement through execution and delivery.

This is a highly visible, cross-functional role that combines technical leadership, program management, customer engagement, and business development . You will serve as a trusted advisor to customers and the internal leadership team, translating customer needs into technical solutions while balancing scope, cost, schedule, performance, and business objectives .

The ideal candidate is a strong technical leader who can work comfortably with customers, engineers, operations, contracts, and business development and who enjoys shaping solutions rather than simply managing an existing program.

What You'll Do

Lead complex programs with responsibility for cost, schedule, technical performance, and customer satisfaction .

Serve as the primary technical and program interface with customers and internal leadership.

Shape customer requirements and technical approaches during the concept, capture, proposal, and execution phases .

Translate customer needs into clear technical and system-level requirements.

Lead cross-functional teams spanning engineering, operations, contracts, supply chain, and business development.

Guide product architecture, technical roadmaps, feature tradeoffs, and system integration decisions.

Participate in design reviews and ensure solutions align with customer requirements and engineering best practices.

Identify opportunities to expand existing programs, develop new applications, and grow customer relationships.

Support business development, capture, and proposal efforts by providing technical and program expertise.

Work closely with customers and partners to develop innovative solutions using company and partner technologies.

Monitor program performance against cost and schedule baselines and drive corrective action when needed.

Coordinate long-lead procurement and supply-chain activities to support program delivery.

Ensure contractual requirements are understood, executed, and flowed down to suppliers and subcontractors.

Develop and deliver program status reports, technical presentations, and other customer-facing deliverables.

Mentor less-experienced program managers and help establish program management best practices.

Represent the company at customer meetings, industry events, and technology forums.

What We're Looking For 10+ years of relevant experience , including 4+ years leading technical programs .

Bachelors degree in Engineering, Business, or a related technical field ; Master's preferred.

Demonstrated experience leading complex engineering or systems-development programs.

Strong systems engineering or technical background with the ability to engage credibly with engineering teams.

Experience working directly with U.S. Government customers , particularly DoD or Intelligence Community organizations.

Working knowledge of the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) and Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS) .

Understanding of the U.S. Government acquisition lifecycle, including requirements development, RFPs, source selection, contracting, and program execution.

Experience with program financial management, forecasting, and performance reporting.

Strong customer-facing, communication, presentation, and relationship-building skills.

Ability to balance technical, operational, financial, and customer priorities and make sound decisions in a complex environment.

Preferred Qualifications Master's degree or MBA .

PMP certification .

Prior experience managing engineering teams.

Experience with aerospace, stratospheric balloon, radar, defense, or other advanced technology programs.

Prior military or government experience.

Why This Role

This is an opportunity to play a hands-on leadership role in developing and delivering advanced aerospace and radar solutions . You'll have significant influence over technical direction, customer strategy, product roadmaps, and new business opportunities while working alongside highly technical engineering and operations teams.

Qualifications: