Defense Technical Program Manager

Kodiak is growing its defense portfolio and needs a TPM who can hold multiple programs together simultaneously. You won’t own just one program type—you’ll drive delivery across a diverse set of contracts that range from tactical vehicle autonomy integration (e.g., ROGUE-Fires/NMESIS with the Marine Corps) to autonomous fleet deployment programs for other DoD customers. Each program has different customers, different hardware, and different operational demands.

This is a cross-functional leadership role for someone who thinks in systems and thrives on coordination complexity. You’ll work across hardware, software, safety, and ops sub-teams—aligning schedules, managing dependencies, and driving each program to delivery while maintaining the rigor defense customers expect.

What you’ll do:

• Own end-to-end execution across multiple concurrent defense programs—from requirements and hardware design through integration, field testing, and customer delivery or demonstration.
• Serve as the integrating force across sub-program TPMs and engineering teams (hardware, controls, safety, autonomy, ops), ensuring cross-workstream dependencies are visible and resolved.
• Build and maintain integrated program schedules that span procurement, fabrication, integration, field testing, and milestone events across programs with different timelines and customers.
• Lead demo and delivery readiness: define criteria, track open items across all workstreams, and drive closure so the team shows up prepared.
• Drive hardware design reviews and iteration cycles; translate customer requirements into scope, BOMs, build plans, and verification matrices.
• Lead operational planning for field deployments—site standup, vehicle commissioning, logistics, and sustainment support.
• Communicate program status, risks, and decisions to internal leadership and external government customers; travel to field sites as needed for demos and customer events.

What you’ll bring:

• 5+ years in technical program management for hardware-intensive, multi-disciplinary programs in robotics, autonomous vehicles, defense, aerospace, or other safety-critical domains.
• Proven ability to coordinate across concurrent workstreams or multiple programs simultaneously—holding the integrated schedule and surfacing cross-team dependencies.
• Operational planning experience: you’ve stood up assets or teams in new environments and managed field logistics.
• Strong communicator able to translate between engineering teams and government customers.
• Bachelor’s in Industrial Engineering, Systems Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Computer Science or a related field.
• US Person (required for ITAR and government program access).  

Nice to have: 

• Direct experience with DoD programs, government customers, DIU, prime contractors, or defense OEMs.
• Background in fleet management, autonomous vehicle operations, or on-installation logistics.
• Familiarity with MIL-SPEC standards, defense qualification frameworks, or government acquisition (OTA, IDIQ).
• Exposure to tactical vehicle platforms, ruggedized electronics, or ITAR-controlled hardware development.
• Background in functional safety (ISO 26262, MIL-STD-882) or controls systems.

What we offer:

• Competitive compensation package including equity and annual bonuses
• Excellent Medical, Dental, and Vision plans through Kaiser Permanente, Cigna, and  MetLife (including a medical plan with infertility benefits)
• MetLife Legal Services, Identity & Fraud Protection, Hospital Indemnity Insurance, Accident Insurance, & Critical Illness Insurance
• Flexible PTO, 10 paid holidays, and generous parental leave policies
• Our office is centrally located in Mountain View, CA
• Office perks: dog-friendly, free catered lunch, a fully stocked kitchen, and free EV charging
• Long Term Disability, Short Term Disability, Life Insurance
• Wellbeing Benefits - Headspace through Cigna, Calm through Kaiser, One Medical, Gympass, Spring Health through Cigna, Rula (mental health navigation)
• Fidelity 401(k)
• Commuter, FSA, Dependent Care FSA, HSA
• Various incentive programs (referral bonuses, patent bonuses, etc.)