Senior Project Manager/Operations Manager

Saalex is seeking a Project Manager/Senior Systems Engineer (SSAT) in Camarillo, CA to provide technical leadership, project execution, and cross-functional coordination supporting Subsonic Aerial Target (SSAT) systems. This highly visible role combines systems engineering expertise with technical project management responsibilities and requires an individual capable of translating complex technical requirements into actionable plans, managing multiple stakeholders, and driving projects to successful completion in dynamic Navy test

and evaluation environments

Position Type: Full-Time

Salary: $125k-$145k (depending on experience)

Work Location: Fully onsite. Ability to travel occasionally between Point Mugu, CA, and China Lake, CA, as well as occasional travel to operational range sites.

Essential Functions:

Lead technical project planning, execution, scheduling, and systems engineering activities supporting Subsonic Aerial Target programs.

Develop and maintain detailed project schedules, task breakdowns, milestones, dependencies, and execution plans across multiple contracts and stakeholders.

Manage technical scope, identify risks, develop mitigation strategies, and provide recommendations to Government leadership and program stakeholders.

Coordinate engineering documentation, software configurations, installation procedures, vulnerability assessments, and system baselines.

Support lifecycle management activities for target platforms, mission systems, flight software configurations, testing systems, and associated hardware.

Serve as the primary liaison between Government organizations, program offices, contractors, and OEMs to ensure alignment of technical efforts and schedules.

Facilitate technical meetings, planning reviews, status meetings, and executive briefings while maintaining project focus and accountability.

Develop executive-level reports, presentations, metrics, and technical briefings for leadership and customer reviews.

Coordinate technical asset management, system logistics, and engineering process improvements.

Other duties as assigned or required.

Requirements

• Required: Minimum of 5 years of experience in systems engineering, technical project management, or related technical leadership roles within DoD, Navy, or defense environments.
• Experience managing technical schedules, project execution, scope, risks, and engineering deliverables.
• Experience facilitating technical meetings and coordinating cross-functional teams, Government stakeholders, and contractors.
• Strong technical documentation review experience, including engineering procedures, software configuration documentation, installation procedures, and test-related documentation.
• Proficiency developing executive-level presentations and status briefings using Microsoft PowerPoint.
• Experience using project tracking and scheduling tools, including MS Project, Excel, Jira, or comparable platforms.
• Exceptional communication, organizational, leadership, and stakeholder management skills.
• Desired: Experience supporting Navy Subsonic Aerial Target programs, including BQM-177A, BQM-34S, GQM-163A, or associated systems.
• Experience supporting NAWCWD, PMA organizations, range operations, flight testing, telemetry, tracking systems, or test and evaluation programs.
• Experience coordinating software configurations, cybersecurity documentation, vulnerability assessments, or eMASS package support.
• Experience working with OEMs, Government program offices, and acquisition stakeholders.
• Education: Bachelor’s degree in Systems Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Computer Science, Technical Program Management, or a highly related technical discipline. Master's degree preferred.
• Security Clearance: Active secret clearance required. Requirements to obtain a clearance include US Citizenship, security investigation, etc.