Technical Program Manager
Technical Program Manager
Oklahoma City, OK | Full-Time | On-Site
About Wilder Systems Robotics
Wilder Systems Robotics is a robotics and automation company delivering advanced manufacturing and sustainment automation solutions to aerospace, defense, and industrial customers. We are ITAR-registered and HUBZone-certified, with active programs supporting aircraft maintenance depots, defense industrial base facilities, and major aerospace primes.
We are a company built on aptitude and culture. We hire people who are sharp, adaptable, and motivated, then build the technical depth together. If you have led complex programs, managed high-performing technical teams, and know how to operate inside the government contracting world, we want to talk.
Role Summary
The Program Manager (PM) will serve as the operational and people leader for Wilder Systems' Oklahoma City program base. You will own execution of government and defense-adjacent programs from award through delivery, manage a team of applications engineers, and serve as the senior presence on the ground in OKC. This role is equal parts program execution, team leadership, and government customer relationship management.
You will work directly with company leadership and be a key voice in shaping how Wilder Systems grows its government program portfolio. This is not a bureaucratic PM role, it is a hands-on leadership position in a fast-moving company where your decisions have immediate impact.
Key Responsibilities
Government Program Execution
Own delivery of assigned government and defense programs, schedule, cost, scope, and risk
Serve as primary point of contact for government customers, contracting officers, and program offices
Navigate government contracting processes including contract modifications, EDA submissions, invoice compliance, and CDRL deliverables
Coordinate with internal BD and leadership on proposal inputs, ROM development, and contract transitions
Maintain program documentation in accordance with ITAR requirements and contract obligations
Team Leadership
Directly manage a team of ~4 applications engineers based in Oklahoma City
Set clear expectations, provide regular feedback, and develop team members' professional and technical capabilities
Assign and prioritize work across the team to align with program demands and company goals
Build a team culture consistent with Wilder Systems' values: ownership, adaptability, and technical excellence
Identify hiring needs and participate in recruiting and onboarding as the team scales
Stakeholder & Customer Engagement
Build and maintain strong relationships with government program offices, depot-level maintenance organizations, and defense contractors in the OKC area
Represent Wilder Systems at customer meetings, site visits, and program reviews
Translate customer requirements into clear internal direction for engineering teams
Escalate issues early and communicate proactively, internally and externally
Operations & Process
Coordinate with hardware, software, and controls engineers across multiple concurrent programs
Support CMMC Level 2 and FedRAMP compliance activities intersecting with program delivery
Contribute to internal process improvement as the company scales its government program portfolio
Qualifications
Required
10–20 years of experience in program or project management, operations leadership, or a closely related field
Demonstrated experience managing government or defense contracts, familiarity with FAR/DFAR environments, contracting vehicles, and government customer dynamics
Proven track record leading and developing technical teams
Strong communication skills, able to engage credibly with government PMs, senior engineers, and company executives
High organizational discipline and comfort managing multiple concurrent programs
U.S. Person status required (ITAR-controlled programs)
Preferred
Military background, any branch; operational leadership, logistics, maintenance, or program management experience highly valued
Experience with depot-level aircraft maintenance, sustainment programs, or defense industrial base operations (Tinker AFB familiarity a genuine plus)
PMP certification or equivalent formal training
Experience with government invoicing systems, EDA, WAWF/IPP, or similar contracting portals
Familiarity with ITAR compliance, CMMC, or other defense regulatory frameworks
Oklahoma City ties or existing relationships within the OKC aerospace and defense community
What We Offer
Competitive base salary commensurate with experience
Medical, dental, and vision benefits
401(k) with company match
Small team, high ownership, no layers of bureaucracy between you and leadership
Work that matters, supporting defense and aerospace programs with direct national impact