Program Manager Optical Communication Terminal Production
At a glance
Manager-level Communications role at CACI. Orlando · full-time · $78,000–$163,800 base.
growthroles summary, based on the employer's posting.
What you'll do
- Lead delivery of optical terminals for space, balancing program cost, schedule, scope, technical results and manufacturing readiness
- Be the customer’s main contact and align engineering work, production performance, delivery timing and mission needs
- Oversee cost account managers, financial baselines, variance reviews and monthly performance updates
- Maintain the integrated schedule, assess critical-path and schedule risks, and coordinate corrective action
- Run risk reviews and program assessments, while overseeing failure investigations and corrective measures
What you bring
- A bachelor’s degree in engineering, finance, business or another related technical area
- At least seven years in space or aerospace hardware, including three years managing hardware assembly, integration and testing
- Experience with cost account managers and EVMS, including estimate-at-completion work, variance reviews and control account planning
- Ability to build and analyze integrated schedules, with critical-path and schedule-risk assessment experience
- Experience with manufacturing readiness, structured risk management and multidisciplinary hardware teams
Who this fits
This manager role suits someone who has led hardware programs and can work across engineering, manufacturing, finance and customer teams. You’ll oversee project managers, task leads and other personnel. The role is based in Orlando and requires up to ten percent travel within the continental United States.
From the employer
The Opportunity:
CACI is looking for a Program Manager to join our Space Line of Business, supporting our Optical Communications team. Our space portfolio develops and provides high reliability electronics, sensors and data processing products that protect the warfighter, provide the nation’s decision and policy maker’s essential information for strategic and tactical planning and policy operations.
You will lead a program delivering advanced optical communications terminals for space applications. This role is the primary interface to the customer, a prime contractor to the US Space Force Space Development Agency. You are responsible for full program execution across cost, schedule, scope, technical performance, manufacturing readiness, and customer satisfaction.
If you have a passion for innovation and want to help shape the next generation of space based communications solutions, apply now and join the team!
Responsibilities:
- Provide overall program leadership, planning, organization, and control to ensure successful completion of program goals and objectives.
- Serve as the primary customer interface, ensuring alignment between technical execution, manufacturing performance, delivery schedules, and mission objectives.
- Manage and oversee Cost Account Managers (CAMs), ensuring proper baseline planning, performance tracking, variance analysis, and financial accountability.
- Lead formal cost accounting and reporting activities, including cost baseline establishment, EAC/BAC variance assessment, cost risks and opportunities, and monthly financial performance updates.
- Develop, maintain, and analyze the Integrated Master Schedule (IMS), integrating subcontractor schedules, program milestones, reviews, manufacturing phases, and risk drivers. Conduct schedule risk assessments, evaluate changes to the critical path, and implement corrective actions.
- Direct structured risk management processes, including risk identification, probability/impact analysis, mitigation planning, and burn-down tracking. Maintain and present formal risk reporting.
- Hold budgetary responsibility, including influencing resource allocation, optimizing costs, increasing revenue opportunities, and ensuring financial targets are achieved.
- Prepare and lead program reviews, including cost, schedule, technical maturity, risk status, EAC sustainment, and performance metrics. Ensure high-quality communication with senior leadership and customer stakeholders.
- Manage Failure Review Boards (FRBs) and root-cause analysis activities for technical, manufacturing, integration, or test issues. Drive corrective actions and preventive measures.
- Oversee technical integration across optical, mechanical, electrical, and thermal subsystems. Ensure design for manufacturability, design for assembly, and engineering readiness.
- Provide oversight to project managers, task leads, functional leaders, subcontractors, and support personnel. Ensure coordinated execution and a unified program strategy.
Qualifications:
Required:
- Bachelor’s degree in engineering, finance, business, or related technical field.
- 7+ years of experience in the space or aerospace hardware industry.
- 3+ years direct program management experience in hardware assembly, integration, and testing.
- Experience managing CAMs and operating within an EVMS environment (EAC development, variance analysis, control account planning).
- Demonstrated ability to develop, maintain, and analyze an Integrated Master Schedule (IMS), including critical path analysis and schedule risk assessments.
- Proficiency with scheduling tools such as MS Project or Primavera.
- Experience leading structured risk management processes, including mitigation planning and risk burn down tracking.
- Experience with manufacturing engineering, production readiness, and collaboration across optical, mechanical, electrical, and thermal domains.
- Knowledge of finance, contracts, BoM, engineering, manufacturing, and supply chain management.
- Proven ability to lead multidisciplinary teams and communicate effectively with customers and senior leadership.
- Strong experience interfacing with government or prime contractor programs.
- Familiarity with space program logistics, technical data, and deliverables.
Desired:
- PMP certification
- Experience with optical or electro optical subsystems
- Experience leading FRBs, RCCAs, or similar failure analysis processes
- Experience with high rate aerospace, space or defense manufacturing environments
What You Can Expect:
A culture of integrity.
At CACI, we place character and innovation at the center of everything we do. As a valued team member, you’ll be part of a high-performing group dedicated to our customer’s missions and driven by a higher purpose – to ensure the safety of our nation.
An environment of trust.
CACI values the unique contributions that every employee brings to our company and our customers - every day. You’ll have the autonomy to take the time you need through a unique flexible time off benefit and have access to robust learning resources to make your ambitions a reality.
A focus on continuous growth.
Together, we will advance our nation's most critical missions, build on our lengthy track record of business success, and find opportunities to break new ground — in your career and in our legacy.
Pay Range:
There are a host of factors that can influence final salary including, but not limited to, geographic location, Federal Government contract labor categories and contract wage rates, relevant prior work experience, specific skills and competencies, education, and certifications. Our employees value the flexibility at CACI that allows them to balance quality work and their personal lives. We offer competitive compensation, benefits and learning and development opportunities. Our broad and competitive mix of benefits options is designed to support and protect employees and their families. At CACI, you will receive comprehensive benefits such as; healthcare, wellness, financial, retirement, family support, continuing education, and time off benefits.
The proposed salary range for this position is:
$78,000 - $163,800CACI is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, age, national origin, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other protected characteristic.