Technical Program Manager - Mission Integration

Technical Program Manager, Mission Integration Confidential search. The hiring company's identity and full role details are shared with candidates under NDA. Company: Venture-backed defense-technology startup Function: Mission Integration (new team) Location: San Francisco Bay Area — full time, on-site, embedded with engineering Reports To: Head of Mission Integration Travel: ~25% Compensation: $140K–$180K + equity About the Client A venture-backed defense-technology startup building autonomous aerial systems for defense customers is standing up a new Mission Integration function, and this is the mid-level (junior-mid) seat on that team. About the Role Mission Integration owns the downstream end of technical program management for the company's aerial platforms: everything from a system's first flight through handoff to the customer training teams. The mandate is to keep programs on schedule, keep engineering and the growth (sales) side aligned, and make sure each platform is genuinely ready for the mission the customer needs. The function exists to close a widening gap between engineering reality and what growth is selling. The TPM works from the engineering side to make sure everyone understands where systems actually stand today, and that this reality is reflected in the commitments and timelines the company agrees to. This is the same function as the Associate TPM role; the difference is level and the depth of independent ownership expected. This is not an engineering role. The job is to understand how engineers work and speak their language, not to do the engineering. It sits between the product manager (who sets direction on what to build) and delivery: the product manager decides what gets built, Mission Integration gets it done. Expect to live in Gantt charts and schedules, review statements of work, keep contracts honest against engineering reality, and also to get hands-on with the systems in the field, including flying them. Several platforms are already fielded and more are in development. A few current test-team members with program management experience are moving into this function, and the team is adding headcount as the platform count grows. Responsibilities Own the downstream program management for one or more platforms end to end: from first flight through handoff to the customer training and demo teams. Drive schedules and milestones, managing competing priorities across multiple programs. Keep engineering and growth aligned so that sales commitments and delivery timelines reflect the true state of each system. Review statements of work and partner with the growth and engagement teams so that contracts reflect engineering reality. Manage the handoff to customer support, training, and demo teams as new products launch. Get hands-on with the platforms in the field, including flying them. Translate field insights back into actionable feedback for engineering and product. Who you will work…