Programs Lead - Strategic Operations, Federal Programs and Special Projects

Job Description

Job Description

Hadrian - Manufacturing the Future

Hadrian is building autonomous factories that help aerospace and defense companies manufacture rockets, satellites, jets, and ships up to 10x faster and up to 2x cheaper. By combining advanced software, robotics, and full-stack manufacturing, we are reinventing how America produces its most critical parts.

We recently raised $260 million dollar Series C to accelerate this mission. We are excited to be launching a new Factory in Mesa, Arizona, a 270,000 square foot facility that will create 350 new jobs immediately. We are opening a new headquarters to support thousands of future hires, launching Hadrian Maritime to serve naval production, and introducing a Factory-as-a-Service model that delivers complete systems instead of individual parts.

Hadrian works with startups, Tier 1 and Tier 2 suppliers, and major defense contractors across space, shipbuilding, and aviation to scale production, reduce costs, and accelerate delivery on mission-critical programs. We are backed by leading investors including Lux Capital, Founders Fund, and Andreessen Horowitz. Our fast-growing team is united by a shared mission to reindustrialize American manufacturing for the 21st century and beyond!

The Role

As a Program Strategist focused on Strategic Operations and Federal Programs, you will lead high-impact initiatives that accelerate Hadrian’s growth in the defense and aerospace sectors. You will diagnose systemic manufacturing inefficiencies, design scalable solutions, and translate insights into actionable program strategies, business cases, and proposal narratives. This role blends operational analysis, strategic program design, and federal go-to-market execution to advance Hadrian’s mission: building an autonomous, scalable manufacturing base for national security.

You will act as a force multiplier across Hadrian—bridging shop floor signals, executive priorities, and government opportunities—to define and stand up new programs that unlock scale and capability across the U.S. defense industrial base.

What You’ll Do

• Strategic Ops Analysis: Lead deep dives into manufacturing performance using value stream mapping, process mining, and operational KPIs (OEE, yield, cycle time) to identify root causes of throughput, cost, and schedule risks.

• Program Modeling & Structuring: Build quantitative models that convert operational inefficiencies into program-level roadmaps, investment cases, and ROI frameworks aligned with Hadrian’s growth strategy.

• Federal Program Development: Shape and develop early-stage program constructs and business cases tailored to federal opportunities, including bid strategy, capability mapping, and delivery frameworks.

• Stakeholder Integration: Operate across technical, operational, and executive teams to ensure program assumptions, risks, and metrics are clearly aligned internally and externally.

• Execution Readiness: Partner with engineering and program teams to scope initial program phases and translate strategy into detailed automation/tooling requirements and staffing plans.

• Pipeline Visibility: Maintain structured program tracking (Airtable, CRM tools) across the federal pipeline—from origination through scoping and handoff—surfacing risks and milestones to executive leadership.

• Strategic Comms: Support executive communications through high-fidelity presentation materials, framing documents, and strategic narratives that position Hadrian with key partners across government and industry.

What We’re Looking For

• Have 7+ years of experience in manufacturing strategy, federal programs, or operations consulting with exposure to complex technical environments and senior stakeholders.

• Are fluent in Excel-based modeling, ROI analysis, and translating operational data into strategic outcomes.

• Are experienced in proposal development, government contracting, or navigating federal acquisition environments.

• Thrive in fast-paced, ambiguous environments and bring structure to early-stage programs or initiatives.

• Communicate clearly and visually, especially in executive decks, business cases, and technical storytelling.

• Are comfortable operating between machine shop realities and C-suite expectations.

• Are open to traveling 20–50% to customer and manufacturing sites across the U.S.

What Will Set You Apart

• Background in the DoD ecosystem - e.g., prior service, PEO/acquisition office experience, or industrial base management roles.

• Familiarity with Lean Six Sigma principles and manufacturing systems such as MES/ERP platforms (SAP, DELMIA, Teamcenter).

• Exposure to simulation tools or methods (e.g., discrete-event modeling) for operational or factory design, working knowledge of SQL, and familiarity with programming languages such as Python or R.

• Prior experience supporting early program incubation - building the frameworks, models, or processes that scale delivery.

• Track record of building reusable strategic assets - from content libraries to diagnostic frameworks to rollout playbooks.

• Experience in developing government proposal materials, including responses to Requests for Proposals (RFPs) and Requests for Quotations (RFQs), preferably within defense or aerospace sectors.

Benefits

• 100% coverage of platinum medical, dental, vision, and life insurance plans for employees

• 401k

• Relocation stipend if you’re moving from outside of LA

• Flexible vacation policy

ITAR Requirements

To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) you must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident of the U.S., protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State. Learn more about the ITAR here.

Hadrian Is An Equal Opportunity Employer

It is the Company’s policy to provide equal employment opportunity for all applicants and employees. The Company does not unlawfully discriminate on the basis of race inclusive of traits historically associated with race (including, but not limited to, hair texture and protective hairstyles, such as braids, locks and twists), color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), gender identity, gender expression, transgender status, national origin (including, in California, possession of a drivers license), ancestry, citizenship, age, physical or mental disability, height or weight, medical condition, family care status, military or veteran status, marital status, domestic partner status, sexual orientation, genetic information, exercise of reproductive rights, any other basis protected by local, state, or federal laws, or any combination of the above characteristics. When necessary, the Company also makes reasonable accommodations for disabled candidates and employees, including for candidates or employees who are disabled by pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions.

Compensation Range: $150K - $210K