Head of Programs

America is critically deficient in production of defensive munitions- we currently produce shipborne interceptors in the few hundreds per year while our adversaries are producing offensive threats in the tens of thousands per year. Furientis was started to help solve this problem- introducing a new class of cost-effective, high production rate, interceptor missiles. We're seeking motivated individuals who internalize this problem and are eager to apply their past experience in similar industries (aerospace, defense, automotive/racing, robotics) and out of the box thinking to solve this problem for the US and its allies. About the Role As Head of Programs, you will own every commitment Furientis makes to its government customers, company partners, and vendors, and ensure each one is delivered on its contracted date. This is a technical role. You will understand the product deeply enough to assess engineering plans and technical risk, translate customer requirements for the engineering team, and represent the technical program directly to customers. This role carries a high degree of ownership and autonomy. You will have broad latitude to decide how your programs are planned and run, along with direct accountability for their results. This role reports to company leadership and is based on-site in Los Angeles, with travel to Mojave, test sites, customers, and vendors. It requires access to ITAR-controlled information, so you must be a U.S. person as defined by ITAR. What You'll Do • Customer deliverables: Own all contracted deliverables to government and company customers, including hardware, test events, reports, contract data requirements, and technical data packages. • Technical translation: Convert contract requirements and customer requests into clear priorities and tasks for the engineering team. Lead requirements breakdown, support design reviews, and manage technical and contract changes. • Cost and schedule execution: Build and maintain integrated program schedules and budgets from contract award through delivery, and drive the team to contracted dates. • Technical risk: Identify technical and schedule risks early, work through tradeoffs with engineers, and lead them to resolution. • Customer interface: Serve as the program contact for specific customers, leading technical reviews, status updates, and milestone discussions. Work with Business Development team to shape and identify follow-on work. • Proposals and contracts: Drive proposal development and contract negotiations, confirming that proposed scope, price, and schedule are achievable and that terms meet FAR and DFARS requirements. • Program processes: Establish lightweight planning and reporting processes that give leadership a clear view of program status without slowing the team down. Skills We're Hiring For • Bachelor's degree in engineering or a related technical field, or equivalent hands-on technical experience • 7-10 years of experience on complex engineering programs • Program/Mission management experience on complex hardware programs, with direct ownership of cost, schedule, and deliverables • Experience in a high-pressure, rapid R&D environment, such as SpaceX or a comparable organization • A record of delivering hardware programs to committed dates • Working knowledge of how the U.S. government buys, contracts for, and fields defense systems • Ability to learn the full product in depth and earn the trust of senior engineers • Clear written and verbal communication with engineers, executives, customers, and vendors, including technical writing Bonus Points For • Experience at another deep tech startup • Experience as an engineer on complex hardware systems, especially missile, launch vehicle, spacecraft, or other aerospace and defense systems • Experience managing government contracts, including FAR-based contracts and Other Transaction Agreements • Experience taking hardware from R&D into production • An active security clearance Eligibility & Logistics Location: On-site at our Los Angeles, CA HQ; remote work is not available. Monthly weekend travel for test events and supplier engagements. Clearance: A clearance is not required for this position. Must be a U.S. Person. Equal Opportunity & Export Compliance Furientis is an equal-opportunity employer. To comply with U.S. export control laws, employment is contingent on eligibility to access export-controlled information.