Technical Program Manager

Leads execution of mixed-signal R&D and IR&D programs involving RF, FPGA/firmware, software, and integration/testing. Manages schedules, dependencies, engineering cadence, architecture trade studies, risks, decisions, logistics, international deployments, inventory, financial tracking, and leadership reporting. Coordinates cross-disciplinary teams, government representatives, vendors, partners, and deployment sites while supporting technical reviews and contingency planning., Fairwinds Technologies is seeking a Technical Program Manager (TPM) to lead execution across a portfolio of mixed-signal R&D and IR&D efforts spanning RF systems, FPGA/firmware, software control, and integration/test activities.

This role is focused on program execution, engineering cadence, and decision flow-ensuring technical teams are aligned, dependencies are managed, risks are mitigated, and engineering progress results in measurable, evidence-based outcomes.

The TPM is not the technical authority but must be technically fluent enough to follow architecture discussions, manage cross-disciplinary dependencies, and effectively translate engineering activity into actionable plans and leadership-ready reporting.

This position supports multiple efforts, including DIU task orders and other international deployment initiatives, and reports under the R&D Programs Director., * Program Execution & Cadence

• Lead program execution across multiple mixed-signal R&D and IR&D efforts
• Maintain integrated schedules, milestones, and cross-team dependencies
• Facilitate recurring engineering cadence (standups, reviews, integration readiness, risk reviews)
• Drive action closure and capture technical and programmatic decisions
• Architecture Trade & Decision Support
• Manage architecture trade studies, including option development, assumptions, decision criteria, and recommendation packages
• Coordinate internal and customer-facing technical reviews
• Ensure assumptions, constraints, and decisions are documented and traceable
• Program Coordination
• Coordinate international logistics, shipping, customs, and export compliance with vendors and partners
• Support travel planning and deployment team coordination
• Interface with government reps, local partners, host-nation entities, and commercial site owners
• Track equipment inventory and configuration across deployment sites
• Assist in contingency planning for delays, access issues, or emergent operational risks
• Logistics & International Operations
• Coordinate international shipping, customs, and export compliance activities
• Support travel planning and deployment team coordination
• Interface with government representatives, local partners, and host organizations
• Track equipment inventory and configuration at each site
• Support contingency planning for deployment delays or site issues
• Risk & Issue Management
• Maintain deployment risk and issue tracking
• Identify site readiness or partner execution risks and develop mitigation strategies
• Elevate critical blockers affecting deployment schedules
• Coordinate technical troubleshooting between engineering teams and on-site personnel
• Financial & Reporting Support
• Track labor and travel expenditures against plan
• Support bi-weekly program status reporting
• Assist with task order execution tracking
• Maintain deployment documentation and configuration records, Owns strategic enterprise client relationships for RapidScale’s managed and professional services portfolio. Responsibilities include executive engagement, account planning, revenue growth, retention, expansion, multi-year services-led sales, forecasting, risk mitigation, and executive issue escalation. The role aligns cloud and managed services solutions to client business outcomes while coordinating sales, solution engineering, delivery, product, and leadership teams. Travel of 30-50% may be required., Own and grow a portfolio of enterprise and upper mid-market clients by driving revenue, retention, expansion, and long-term customer success. Develop account strategies, manage sales opportunities through close, build senior stakeholder relationships, identify cloud and modernization opportunities, coordinate cross-functional delivery teams, monitor account health, and maintain accurate forecasting and CRM discipline. Top Skills: AWSAzureGCPVMware

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With a business-friendly climate and research universities like CU Boulder and Colorado State, Colorado has made a name for itself as a startup ecosystem. The state boasts a skilled workforce and high quality of life thanks to its affordable housing, vibrant cultural scene and unparalleled opportunities for outdoor recreation. Colorado is also home to the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, helping cement its status as a hub for renewable energy innovation.

Key Facts About Colorado Tech

• Number of Tech Workers: 260,000; 8.5% of overall workforce (2024 CompTIA survey)
• Major Tech Employers: Lockheed Martin, Century Link, Comcast, BAE Systems, Level 3
• Key Industries: Software, artificial intelligence, aerospace, e-commerce, fintech, healthtech
• Funding Landscape: $4.9 billion in VC funding in 2024 (Pitchbook)
• Notable Investors: Access Venture Partners, Ridgeline Ventures, Techstars, Blackhorn Ventures
• Research Centers and Universities: Colorado School of Mines, University of Colorado Boulder, University of Denver, Colorado State University, Mesa Laboratory, Space Science Institute, National Center for Atmospheric Research, National Renewable Energy Laboratory, Gottlieb Institute

• Bachelor’s degree (or master’s degree) in Engineering, Telecommunications, Operations Management, Logistics or related fields.
• Minimum 8+ years of experience in program management, project management, or operations coordination
• Experience managing cross-disciplinary teams (RF, FPGA/firmware, software, integration/test)
• Proven ability to manage ambiguity and early-stage technical development
• Ability to manage multiple concurrent activities and stakeholders
• Strong communication and organizational skills
• Willingness to travel internationally
• U.S. Citizenship and an active DoD Top Secret/ SCI security clearance (or ability to obtain).

Additional Preferred Qualifications

• Satellite communications, RF systems, networking, or telecom background
• Familiarity with government or defense programs
• Experience with logistics or supply chain coordination
• Experience supporting DoD SBIR projects or similar government-funded R&D efforts.

• Experience with mixed-signal, RF, FPGA-based, or embedded systems programs

• Familiarity with architecture trade studies and TRL-based development

Supervisory Responsibility

This position requires direct supervisory responsibility., Must be willing to travel 10-25% (International deployment travel required), Must be eligible to work in the US and possess a Secret clearance with the ability to obtain a Top Secret/SCI level clearance.

This is a full-time, exempt position, working Monday through Friday; 40 hours per work week; occasional evening and weekend work may be required as job duties demand. Some flexibility in actual work hours may be offered., Please note that this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

AAP/EEO Statement

Fairwinds Technologies, LLC is an Equal Opportunity Employer - M/F/Veteran/Disability/Sexual Orientation/Gender Identity

Why Join Us

• Opportunity to work on cutting-edge technologies and innovative projects, including
• DoD SBIR initiatives.
• Collaborative and inclusive work environment.
• Competitive salary and benefits package.
• Professional development and growth opportunities., 159K-254K Annually Senior level 159K-254K Annually Senior level Cloud * Fintech * Food * Information Technology * Software * Hospitality Lead Toast’s lending product strategy and roadmap, including Toast Capital and Easy Pay. Partner with engineering, design, data science, credit, legal, finance, marketing, and external financial partners to develop, launch, and optimize B2B financial products. Responsibilities include defining requirements, managing backlogs, facilitating agile ceremonies, building business cases, gathering customer feedback, and measuring product outcomes. Top Skills: SQL RapidScale

Fairwinds Technologies is a U.S.-based engineering firm specializing in Satellite Communications (SATCOM), RF Transmission Systems, Network Design, Systems Integration, and Digital Signal Processing (DSP). We support Command, Control, Communications, and Computer (C4) systems in austere military environments, delivering advanced communications, networking, and IT solutions to defense and civilian agencies worldwide.