Program Manager (756082)

Company Description

Spear, founded in 2017 and based in Tel Aviv, develops and manufactures the Viper family of advanced Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) for leading defence forces.

As the leading system house in Israel for tactical UAS focusing both on the battalion echelon and submarines, we provide end-to-end system development from concept and design through integration and field testing - delivering AI-powered loitering systems that give any combat unit an “inherent air force” with minimal training.

Our multidisciplinary teams work across hardware, software, computer vision, artificial intelligence, communications, navigation, motion control, and electro-mechanics.

As we continue to grow rapidly, we are looking for talented team players to join our success.

Job Description

We are seeking an experienced and highly motivated Program Manager to lead a complex, multi-year defence program involving joint development with a prime contractor, system integration, testing, and field deployment. The Program Manager will oversee all phases of program execution, ensuring technical performance, schedule adherence, financial control, and stakeholder alignment across a large and diverse team.

You will be responsible for the following:

Program Leadership & Execution

• Lead the end-to-end delivery of a large-scale defence program from concept through field deployment.
• Serve as the primary point of contact between the organization, the prime contractor, subcontractors, and government stakeholders.
• Develop and maintain the integrated program plan, including scope, schedule, cost, risk, and performance baselines.
• Drive program governance, execution discipline, and alignment with contractual and regulatory requirements.

Cross-Company Development & Collaboration

• Manage joint development activities with the prime contractor, ensuring clarity in roles, responsibilities, and interface definitions.
• Establish and maintain effective collaboration frameworks, communication channels, and decision-making processes across organizations.

Integration & Verification Management

• Oversee system integration activities, ensuring subsystem interoperability, configuration control, and interface compliance.
• Plan and manage verification and validation activities, including factory acceptance, site integration, and system-level test campaigns.

Field Deployment & Operational Readiness

• Lead planning and execution for field deployment, including logistics, site preparation, installation, training, and commissioning.
• Ensure all deployed systems meet operational, environmental, and safety requirements.
• Coordinate with end users and military stakeholders to support readiness assessments and acceptance milestones.

Risk, Issue & Change Management

• Identify, assess, and mitigate program risks and issues, maintaining proactive risk management processes.
• Lead change control activities, ensuring impact assessments and configuration integrity.

Financial & Contract Management

• Manage program budgets, forecasts, earned value, and financial performance metrics.
• Ensure compliance with contract obligations, deliverables, reporting requirements, and audits.

Stakeholder Engagement & Reporting

• Provide clear, concise reporting to senior leadership, customers, and external partners.
• Represent the program in technical reviews, contractual meetings, executive briefings, and customer engagements.

Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering or related field.
• 8+ years of program or project management experience in defence, aerospace, or complex systems environments.
• Demonstrated experience managing multi-partner development programs.
• Strong understanding of system integration, testing, and deployment lifecycles.
• Proven ability to manage budgets, complex schedules, and cross-functional teams.
• Excellent communication, negotiation, and stakeholder management skills.
• Eligibility for or possession of the required security clearance.

Preferred:

• Experience working with prime contractors and government defence agencies.
• Experience with loitering munitions, UAV systems, or other autonomous air or strike platforms