Technical Program Manager
Tucson,
AZ,
United States
Company Profile
AOM is bringing decades of experience in optical metrology expertise to bear on some of the most demanding optics applications on earth – the fast-growing commercial space telescope industry, extreme precision optics for EUV lithography, and a host of other consumer, research, and industrial technologies that will shape humanity’s future through optics.
We are a fast-growing optical metrology business supporting amazing technology development all around the world. We operate with the pace and feel of a tech startup with the security of a mature technology at its core. It’s challenging, fun, and offers many opportunities to learn and grow for a motivated Technical Program Manager.
Our products and services include:
- Computer Generated Holograms (CGHs) enabling interferometric testing of optical surfaces – aspheres, freeforms, cylinders, conic sections, and many other complex surface shapes and optical systems.
- Mechanics for precise positioning and alignment of CGHs and test optics.
- Development of complete optical test setups for the fast-growing commercial space telescope industry, consumer electronics customers, the semiconductor lithography industry, and many other applications.
Essential Functions
Program Leadership
- Own end-to-end program management for multiple concurrent high-complexity optical programs
- Develop and maintain integrated master schedules, resource plans, and program budgets
- Drive program execution with accountability to cost, schedule, and technical performance
- Lead program reviews internally and with customers, including status reporting and risk/opportunity tracking
Technical Coordination
- Serve as the primary interface between engineering, operations, and external customers for assigned programs
- Translate customer requirements into actionable internal work packages; manage scope changes through a formal process
- Coordinate cross-functional technical teams including optical engineers, mechanical designers, and software staff
- Support proposal efforts by developing work breakdown structures, schedules, and resource estimates
Customer & Stakeholder Management
- Maintain strong working relationships with customer program offices at aerospace and defense prime contractors and space industry customers
- Proactively communicate program status, risks, and mitigation plans
- Manage deliverables, CDRLs, and contractual milestones
Process & Continuous Improvement
- Develop and refine AOM's program management processes, templates, and tools
- Apply lessons learned to improve schedule predictability and execution efficiency across programs
Qualifications
The successful candidate will possess these skills and qualifications:
Required
- Bachelor's degree in optical engineering, mechanical engineering, physics, or a related technical field
- 5+ years of program or project management experience on technically complex programs
- Demonstrated ability to manage multi-disciplinary engineering teams and external subcontractors
- Experience with government or defense contracts, ITAR-regulated environments, or aerospace hardware development
- Strong written and verbal communication skills; ability to present confidently to customers and senior leadership
- Proficiency with scheduling tools (MS Project or equivalent) and EVM fundamentals
- U.S. Person status required
Preferred
- Experience with optical fabrication, metrology, or precision instrument development
- Familiarity with CGH, interferometry, or wavefront measurement systems
- PMP certification or equivalent formal PM training
- Experience managing AI&T programs for space telescope or large aperture optical systems
Why AOM?
We are a fast-growing optics metrology business supporting amazing technology development all around the world. We operate with the pace and feel of a tech startup with the security of a mature technology at its core. It’s challenging, fun, and offers many opportunities to learn and grow for a motivated Technical Program Manager.
Compensation
Competitive salary
Generous benefits package
Perks
401k contribution
Profit sharing
Community
Company lunches, activities, and events
Opportunity
Learn and grow under the mentorship of optics community leaders