Program Manager, Special Projects

Job description

HADRIAN - MANUFACTURING THE FUTURE Hadrian is building autonomous factories to reindustrialize America. By combining AI, advanced software, robotics, and full-stack manufacturing, we help aerospace and defense companies build rockets, satellites, aircraft, ships, and other mission-critical systems up to 10x faster and at significantly lower cost. Following our $1.37B Series D at a $7.87B valuation, Hadrian is rapidly expanding our manufacturing footprint, launching new capabilities across welding, casting, forging, electronics, additive manufacturing, and more, while scaling our Factory-as-a-Service platform to transform how critical products are built. Backed by leading investors including JPMorgan Chase, Valor Equity Partners, Andreessen Horowitz, Founders Fund, 137 Ventures, Lux Capital, T. Rowe Price, and Morgan Stanley, we’re building the future of American manufacturing—and looking for exceptional people to help make it happen. If you’re ready to take on the most challenging and rewarding work of your career while helping create American manufacturing jobs for generations to come, you’re exactly who we’re looking for. The Role: Hadrian is building autonomous factories to support the defense industrial base. As we scale delivery across programs in aerospace, national security, and advanced manufacturing, we’re looking for program managers to lead customer-facing execution and manage infrastructure delivery across new and existing factory footprints. This is a customer-facing execution role focused on driving outcomes across technical, complex, cross-functional programs. Programs can span both internal and external efforts; for example, leading an R&D capability buildout internally or partnering with a defense customer to scope a greenfield factory. You’ll spend your time communicating with stakeholders, managing timelines, coordinating delivery, and maintaining accountability across both internal and external teams. The strongest candidates will bring experience in high-complexity, customer-facing environments, whether from management consulting, industrial programs, or defense delivery. They should have a track record of owning execution and leading from the front in ambiguous or high-stakes settings. We are seeking multiple candidates at varying levels of experience and seniority to support parallel programs and delivery surfaces. This role offers the opportunity to grow into program leadership across $100M+ delivery surfaces, spanning new factory sites, high-priority federal programs, and scaled technical infrastructure. What You’ll Do: - Own delivery across cross-functional programs from early-stage scoping through execution and milestone tracking - Drive coordination across internal teams (e.g. engineering, supply chain, software, operations) to unblock execution and maintain delivery momentum - Lead execution governance by establishing clear cadences for cross-functional coordination, executive reporting, and delivery accountability - Maintain external-facing timelines, program dashboards, and milestone definitions in partnership with program leadership - Support internal and external communication including risk tracking, status updates, executive reporting, and program reviews - Oversee and manage program budgets, including spend visibility, burn rate, and alignment with delivery milestones - Partner with project managers to ensure tactical deliverables roll up into clear milestones and customer expectations - Monitor program scope and deliverables to track changes and clarify owner responsibilities - Operate as a program lead and primary point of contact for both internal and external stakeholders Preferred Background: - 5+ years in a program, operations, or project execution role within aerospace, defense, manufacturing, or adjacent high-complexity fields - Candidates with a background in management consulting or equivalent program management experience leading complex, multi-stakeholder programs in high-precision operational environments are strongly preferred - Experience with factory or physical infrastructure delivery, including CapEx programs or scaled manufacturing environments - Experience leading delivery within technical, ambiguous, or startup-like environments - Familiarity with common program tooling, including Microsoft Project, Airtable, Gantt charts, and risk tracking frameworks - Ability to independently manage large bodies of work while surfacing blockers and driving cross-team resolution - Proven ability to create clear, persuasive program deliverables including slides, briefs, and progress updates for both internal and external audiences - Willingness to travel up to 40% to factory sites, customer locations, and suppliers as needed BENEFITS FOR FULL-TIME EMPLOYEES - Medical, dental, vision, and life insurance plans for employees - 401k - Relocation support may be provided for certain situations, based on busine