Distributed Spectrum

Distributed Spectrum

Director, Programs

New York City · Director

No sponsorshipDetected 26 days ago
TypeScriptRESTMachine LearningCybersecurityCadenceEmbedded SystemsResearchLeadershipCommunicationAdaptability

About the role

  • Our work sits at the intersection of RF sensing, AI/ML-enabled software, embedded integration, tactical edge systems, and operational deployment.
  • We are hiring DS's first Director, Programs to help move the company from founder-led program execution to scalable multi-program delivery.
  • This is not a process-only PMO role, a pure technical program manager role, or a legacy-prime bureaucracy role.

Responsibilities

  • Own execution for one or more complex defense programs, including schedule, milestones, deliverables, risk, budget inputs, subcontractor dependencies, and customer communication.
  • Lead programs from late-stage opportunity handoff through requirements definition, contract shaping, execution planning, delivery, acceptance, and follow-on expansion.
  • Build and maintain integrated master schedules, program baselines, risk registers, action trackers, deliverable trackers, and executive reporting rhythms.
  • Partner with Growth/BD, Engineering, Product, Mission Operations, Contracts, Finance, Security, and founders to translate customer intent into clear internal execution plans.
  • Identify schedule, technical, contractual, operational, staffing, and partner risks early
  • drive mitigation plans
  • Lead preparation for demonstrations, field tests, operational evaluations, acceptance events, and customer reviews.
  • Support capture and proposal efforts with realistic execution plans, schedules, staffing assumptions, cost/schedule/risk inputs, and lessons learned.
  • Hire, mentor, and eventually lead junior PM / TPM talent underneath the operating system you build.
  • DS creates systems that power the next generation of radio spectrum intelligence.

Requirements

  • You have significant experience leading complex defense, aerospace, autonomy, mission systems, RF/EW, ISR, UAS/UAV, embedded systems, or hardware/software integration programs.
  • You have owned customer-facing program execution across cost, schedule, risk, deliverables, subcontractors, and technical milestones.
  • You have seen multiple program models across different company sizes, customer types, or organizational structures not just one narrow playbook from one company.
  • You are comfortable operating from pre-contract / late-stage opportunity shaping into requirements definition, contract execution, delivery, and follow-on growth.
  • You have a strong command of integrated schedules, milestone planning, dependency management, program reviews, risk registers, and deliverable tracking.
  • You are technically fluent enough to understand complex systems and work credibly with engineering teams without trying to be the chief engineer.
  • You know how to impose useful structure without creating bureaucracy.
  • You are comfortable in fast-moving, ambiguous environments where contracts, finance, program infrastructure, and delivery processes may still be maturing.
  • You have conviction about how to scale a Programs function and hire the next layer of PM / TPM talent.
  • and escalate clearly when leadership tradeoffs are required.

Nice to have

  • Experience with rapid-prototyping or defense innovation pathways such as OTA, SBIR Phase III, BAA, STRATFI, TACFI, xTech, DIU, SOFWERX, or similar DoD pathways.
  • Experience with FAR / DFARS environments, CDRLs, data packages, milestone reviews, acceptance events, and government reporting.
  • Active Secret, TS, or TS/SCI clearance.
  • Experience with SOCOM, SOF, IC, service labs, combatant commands, or operational end users.
  • Experience with tactical UAS/UAV, RF sensing, EW, SIGINT, ISR, edge AI, embedded integration, autonomy, mission systems, or field-deployed sensing capabilities.
  • Experience supporting flight tests, field tests, demos, operational exercises, or customer acceptance events.
  • Fast learners over specific backgrounds - We care more about how quickly you can pick up new skills than where you've worked before.
  • Intellectual honesty - The right answer matters more than being right.

Compensation

  • 401(k) match - up to 4% of your salary

Benefits

  • Above-market salary, equity, and benefits package.
  • Early Series A Equity
  • Excellent health, dental, and vision coverage

Company info

  • You will work across programs spanning RF sensing, AI/ML software, embedded systems, tactical edge deployments, government customers, subcontractors, primes, and field demonstrations.
  • The right person knows what good defense program execution looks like across multiple company sizes and program types and is still tactical enough to do the work directly while the function is being built.
  • Serve as the primary day-to-day program interface with government customers, contracting stakeholders, primes, subcontractors, and mission partners.
  • Confidently push customers, partners, and subcontractors toward the outcomes DS needs during both contract negotiations and execution, pulling in technical or BD support when needed.

Visa & Work Authorization

  • You are a U.S. person and can obtain and maintain a U
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This listing is sourced directly from Distributed Spectrum's careers page and normalized into a canonical job model.