Senior Program Manager, Aerospace and Defense

Company: Divergent
Location: Los Angeles
Posted on: February 18, 2026

Job Description:

Job Description Job Description Divergent is a technology company that has architected, invented, built, and commercialized an end-to-end factory system called the Divergent Adaptive Production System (DAPS) that comprehensively uses machine learning to optimally engineer, additively manufacture, and flexibly assemble complex integrated vehicle structures and subsystems. Products created using DAPS are superior in performance, lower in cost, rapidly customizable to meet mission and customer-specific requirements, faster to market, and scalable on demand to high volume production. Divergent is a qualified Tier 1 supplier to global automotive OEMs, and Divergent is now expanding to support mission critical needs in the Aerospace and Defense sector. Join us to be a part of this transformative journey, where your impact will shape the future of technology and production. Purpose We are seeking a highly-skilled and experienced Senior Program Manager to oversee Divergent's aerospace and defense (A&D) efforts. As one of the early hires in the A&D division, this individual will own defense programs focused on deploying Divergent's technology on new and legacy defense programs. This individual will also lead programs that focus on the expansion of Divergent's capabilities enabling the utilization of DAPS™ for a broader set of defense applications. The ideal candidate will have a strong technical background in aerospace structures, with a particular emphasis on aerial defense systems such as unmanned aerial systems or missiles. The Senior/Principal Program Manager will be responsible for leading programs with defense primes and Department of Defense (DoD) stakeholders to execute Divergent's programs efficiently and effectively. The Role Manage all aspects of aerospace and defense programs, from inception to completion, ensuring on-time delivery of program deliverables and within cost, schedule, and performance requirements Lead cross-functional team by providing strategic technical guidance and programmatic constraints on cross-functional teams consisting of engineering, manufacturing, and customer personnel Set framework and analysis parameters with internal engineering teams and customer teams to characterize programmatic, technical, and risk trades Build and utilize Divergent program management tools, systems, and templates to draft proposals, write-up statements of work, and track program performance (cost, schedule, and performance) Monitor program performance against established metrics and milestones, identifying areas for improvement and implementing corrective actions as necessary Formulate program strategy across a portfolio of customers, identifying new development opportunities, technology risks, and partnerships that Divergent should focus on Develop and maintain relationships with defense primes, subcontractors, and DoD stakeholders to facilitate program success and build new contracting opportunities Basic Qualifications Active Secret Clearance desired; Top Secret Clearance preferred. Bachelor's degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or related field Minimum of 10 years of experience in program management within the aerospace and defense industry Strong technical background in aerospace structures programs, including familiarity with basic structural analysis tools such as finite element analysis (FEA) Knowledge of additive manufacturing applications and robotic assembly systems Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to effectively engage and influence both internal and external stakeholders Proven track record of successfully managing complex programs with multiple stakeholders and dependencies Experience with DoD acquisition cycles and federal acquisition regulations (FAR) Experience supporting analysis and completing documentations for airworthiness certifications. Experience engaging directly with DoD airworthiness stakeholders such as the Air Force Test Center (AFTC) or the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Experience with fast iteration hardware prototyping programs Preferred Qualifications Advanced degree in degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or related field Previous experience in technical leadership positions such as Chief Engineer or Integrated Product Team (IPT) Lead is preferred PMP certification or equivalent is preferred Compensation At Divergent, our pay range is based on the level of the job. For this role, we will consider candidates at levels S05 - S07 as evaluated through our interview process. Senior / S05: $134,640 - $185,130 Lead / S06: $155,540 - $213,840 Principal / S07: $179,630 - $247,005 Pay Range $134,640—$247,005 USD What We Offer: Holistic Compensation Package: Enjoy a world-class compensation package that includes a competitive salary, equity plan, and discretionary results-based incentive bonus opportunities, ensuring you're truly valued for your contributions. Wellness and Time Off: Embrace a healthy lifestyle with paid vacation, sick time, and company holidays, including a year-end shutdown to recharge. We support growing families with paid parental leave, recognizing the importance of bonding time. Comprehensive Health and Wellness: Prioritize your well-being with our comprehensive health and wellness benefits, offering both HMO and Premium PPO options. Additionally, benefit from company-sponsored life insurance and short and long-term disability coverage for peace of mind. Investment in Growth: We're committed to your professional development. Take advantage of reimbursement opportunities for learning and development initiatives, empowering you to continuously expand your skill set and reach peak performance. Collaborative and High-Performing Environment: Join our collaborative, dynamic, and high-performing team within a fast-paced, mission-driven company. Together, we're disrupting the traditional manufacturing industry, fostering innovation, and integrating people and technology to reduce our footprint. Equal Employment Opportunity Divergent is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability or veteran status, or any other applicable state or federal protected characteristic. Divergent provides affirmative action in employment for qualified Individuals with Disabilities and Protected Veterans in compliance with Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act and the Vietnam Era Veterans' Readjustment Assistance Act. EEO Poster In order to adjust to changes in our business, it may become necessary to add, remove or modify certain duties and responsibilities, or to reassign you to another job position. From time to time you may be asked to work on special projects or to assist with other work. Your cooperation and assistance in performing such additional work is expected. E-Verify: Right to Work Our company participates in E-Verify. E-Verify is a program that electronically confirms a candidate's eligibility to work in the United States after completing the Employment Eligibility Verification (Form I-9). The information provided on the Form I-9 is compared to the records contained in the Social Security Administration and Department of Homeland Security (DHS) databases. This helps employers verify the identity and employment eligibility of newly hired employees. Eligibility to Work Poster (English) | Eligibility to Work Poster (Spanish) Los Angeles Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance (FCIHO) Pursuant to the Los Angeles Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance (FCIHO), we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records. No agencies, no solicitations, and no calls please.

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