Position Summary
FlightWave, a wholly owned subsidiary of Red Cat Holdings, is looking to fill a Sr. Engineering Program Manager position. FlightWave designs and manufactures fixed wing drones for use in defense, public safety, and other government security organizations.
This role drives engineering execution and bridges the gap between engineering, product, and operations. You’ll work closely with senior stakeholders to ensure timely execution of engineering project initiatives lead cross-functional reviews, develop integrated development schedules, and ultimately drive cross-functional execution across hardware, software, and other engineering teams.
This role requires a strong technical background in hardware design and development, excellent organizational skills, and the ability to lead multidisciplinary engineering teams in a fast-paced (small & dynamic) environment.
Location Note: This role is onsite in Carson, California.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
- Lead the full lifecycle of both sustaining engineering and new product programs – from early concept through design, validation, and production ramp.
- Maintain PRDs (Product Requirements Documents), Development Build Plans and ensure alignment across technical and business teams.
- Build and drive detailed engineering program plans, including schedules, resource allocation, and risk mitigation strategies.
- Develop detailed gantt charts and leverage agile tools (scrum, kanban, etc) to drive planning and execution.
- Facilitate cross-functional peer reviews and lead/own design reviews (PDR/CDR/MRR) to ensure timely execution across mechanical, electrical, firmware, software, and manufacturing teams.
- Identify and manage interdependencies between engineering disciplines, supply chain, and external partners.
- Act as the primary point of contact for program status, tradeoffs, and decision-making — escalating risks and unblocking teams as needed.
- Help shape FlightWave’s program management practices as the company scales — from tooling to process evolution.
Required Qualifications
- Bachelors in Aerospace, Mechanical, Electrical, or Systems Engineering (or related technical fields).
- 5+ years of experience managing complex hardware/software programs from concept through launch.
- Demonstrated experience with cross-functional technical program management in aerospace, robotics, consumer electronics, or a similar field.
- Experience successfully executing NPI programs from concept to sustainment.
- Experience with project scheduling (gantt) tools, preferably Smartsheet.
- Proven ability to lead and influence without direct authority.
- Strong attention to detail and experience coordinating across engineering, product, and operations.
- Excellent communication, technical fluency, and program tracking instincts.
- Proven record of mentorship to junior program managers/engineers and support of continuous improvement of program management processes/tools.
Additional Desired Qualifications
- Experience working on autonomous systems, aerospace platforms, or other regulated/high-reliability products.
- Familiarity with modern product management tooling (Jira, Trello, Linear, Notion, etc)
- Systems thinking mindset with comfort operating at multiple levels — from boardroom to build floor.
- Experience leading failure mode/root cause investigations, especially on complex electro-mechanical systems.
- Deep understanding of aerospace/defense hardware development lifecycle and engineering best practices.
- Experience in environments with both agile software and gated hardware development cycles.
Physical Requirements and Working Conditions
- Must be able to walk, stand, and navigate large indoor and outdoor facilities for extended periods of time.
- Ability to lift, carry, and move materials and equipment weighing up to 25 lbs on a regular basis.
- Use of personal protective equipment (PPE) may be required in designated areas or when performing specific tasks, in accordance with safety protocols and company policy.
- May be required to climb ladders, stoop, kneel, or crouch during inspections, maintenance walk-throughs, or emergency response situations.
- Regular exposure to facility operations including noise, dust, temperature fluctuations, and industrial equipment.
- Occasional off-hours or weekend work required for emergency facility responses or projects as needed
- Requires frequent use of a computer and other standard office equipment for documentation, communication, and coordination tasks.
Background Check
This position will require successfully completing a post-offer background check. Qualified candidates with a criminal history will be considered and are not automatically disqualified, consistent with federal and state law.
EEO and ITAR/EAR Work Authorization Disclosure
Red Cat Holdings provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. This position requires direct or indirect access to hardware, software, technology or technical data controlled under the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) and the Export Administration Regulations (EAR). Successful candidates for positions subject to ITAR/EAR restrictions must provide proof of U.S. Citizenship or Permanent Residence and must not require sponsorship for export-restricted work authorization.
E-Verify
The company participates E-Verify ensure eligibility for employment and compliance with Right to Work rules.
Compensation: $132k - $160k, plus generous annual equity package and potential bonuses.
