Program Manager - DCMA Engagement & Contract Compliance

Anduril Industries

  • Costa Mesa, CA
  • Permanent
  • Full-time
  • 1 month ago
Anduril Industries is a defense technology company with a mission to transform U.S. and allied military capabilities with advanced technology. By bringing the expertise, technology, and business model of the 21st century's most innovative companies to the defense industry, Anduril is changing how military systems are designed, built and sold. Anduril's family of systems is powered by Lattice OS, an AI-powered operating system that turns thousands of data streams into a realtime, 3D command and control center. As the world enters an era of strategic competition, Anduril is committed to bringing cutting-edge autonomy, AI, computer vision, sensor fusion, and networking technology to the military in months, not years.As a Program Manager for DCMA engagement and contract compliance, you will lead engagement with the Defense Contract Management Agency (DCMA) and ensure audit readiness, contract integrity, and compliance across autonomous aircraft, drones, ground control systems, and integrated government-owned equipment. The Program Manager serves as the critical bridge between regulatory oversight and internal program success, ensuring alignment with contractual obligations and federal expectations. The right person for this role has knowledge of DCMA relationship management, executive risk communication, and internal program support & compliance readiness reviews. If you are someone who loves to deliver world-class quality for their customers, work hands-on, and be accountable for results with our customer, then this role is for you.WHAT YOU'LL DO
  • Work with program teams who are engaging with DCMA through contracts, letters of discernment, statement of work documents, and program deliverables to develop strategies to meet DCMA requirements,
  • Act as primary liaison with DCMA personnel, managing correspondence, audits, and site interactions
  • Maintain a clear, current, and strategic understanding of all DCMA engagements, site visits, and their connection to contract deliverables and awarded Letters of Discernment
  • Cultivate and sustain a high-trust relationship with DCMA personnel through proactive, transparent communication and readiness
  • Maintain engagement logs, ensuring 100% traceability of DCMA communications and follow-up items
  • Deliver weekly engagement summaries tied directly to contract milestones and Letters of Discernment
  • Develop and deliver bi-weekly executive briefings summarizing DCMA activities and associated risks
  • Escalate concerns, risks, or deviations with clarity and urgency, ensuring informed executive visibility
  • Provide quantified risk impact analyses, tied to program schedules, cost exposure, and compliance metrics
  • Achieve a high percentage of positive feedback from executive stakeholders regarding clarity, relevance, and strategic utility of briefings
  • Conduct pre-audit reviews for all major DCMA activities with program teams, achieving a high percentage audit preparedness rating
  • Partner with program managers to close all DCMA findings within agreed timelines-target average closure window.
  • Provide secondary review for all DCMA-related deliverables, maintaining low percentage of rework or clarification rate based on agency feedback
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
  • Bachelor's degree in Engineering or similar technical field with 5-7 years of direct DCMA engagement.
  • Experience in Engineering, Manufacturing, or Quality in aircraft product making and complex production process management.
  • Experience managing DCMA contracts within autonomous aerospace platforms and defense-grade technologies
  • Proven experience interfacing with DCMA or other federal contract oversight agencies
  • Strong understanding of FAR/DFARS, AS9100, and defense quality frameworks
  • Experience with DCMA Manual 2201-04, DCMA Instruction 8210, DCMA Manual 2101, DCMA Manual 2303, Quality Assurance Letters of Instruction (QALIs) and Letters of Delegation (LODs)
  • Exceptional executive communication and risk analysis capabilities
  • Excellent communication skills, with the ability to effectively convey technical concepts to both technical and non-technical stakeholders
  • Must be able to obtain and hold a U.S. TS/SCI security clearance
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
  • Master's degree in a technical field
  • 5-7 years of experience with developing quality systems for low volume, high complex manufacturing environments and suppliers.
  • Strong knowledge of CAPA & data processes, quality management systems, and regulatory requirements (e.g., ISO 9001, AS6500).
  • Six Sigma Black Belt, PMP, or defense quality credentials preferred
  • Experience in a start-up or growth-stage defense contractor environment
  • Ability to adapt to a rapidly changing environment and take on new challenges and responsibilities
US Salary Range$154,000—$213,000 USDThe salary range for this role is an estimate based on a wide range of compensation factors, inclusive of base salary only. Actual salary offer may vary based on (but not limited to) work experience, education and/or training, critical skills, and/or business considerations. Highly competitive equity grants are included in the majority of full time offers; and are considered part of Anduril's total compensation package. Additionally, Anduril offers top-tier benefits for full-time employees, including:
  • Platinum Healthcare Benefits: For U.S. roles, we offer comprehensive medical, dental, and vision plans at little to no cost to you.
  • For UK roles, Private Medical Insurance (PMI): Anduril will cover the full cost of the insurance premium for an employee and dependents.
  • For AUS roles, Private health plan through Bupa: Coverage is fully subsidized by Anduril.
  • Basic Life/AD&D and long-term disability insurance 100% covered by Anduril, plus the option to purchase additional life insurance for you and your dependents.
  • Extremely generous company holiday calendar including a holiday hiatus in December, and highly competitive PTO plans.
  • 16 weeks of paid Caregiver & Wellness Leave to care for a family member, bond with your baby, or tend to your own medical condition.
  • Family Planning & Parenting Support: Fertility (eg, IVF, preservation), adoption, and gestational carrier coverage with additional benefits and resources to provide support from planning to parenting.
  • Mental Health Resources: We provide free mental health resources 24/7 including therapy, life coaching, and more. Additional work-life services, such as free legal and financial support, available to you as well.
  • A professional development stipend is available to all Andurilians.
  • Daily Meals and Provisions: For many of our offices this means breakfast, lunch and fully stocked micro-kitchens.
  • Company-funded commuter benefits available based on your region.
  • Relocation assistance (depending on role eligibility).
  • 401(k) retirement savings plan - both a traditional and Roth 401(k). (US roles only)
The recruiter assigned to this role can share more information about the specific compensation and benefit details associated with this role during the hiring process.Anduril is an equal-opportunity employer committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace. The Anduril team is made up of incredibly talented and unique individuals, who together are disrupting industry norms by creating new paths towards the future of defense technology. All qualified applicants will be treated with respect and receive equal consideration for employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, uniform service, Veteran status, age, or any other protected characteristic per federal, state, or local law, including those with a criminal history, in a manner consistent with the requirements of applicable state and local laws, including the CA Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance. We actively encourage members of recognized minorities, women, Veterans, and those with disabilities to apply, and we work to create a welcoming and supportive environment for all applicants throughout the interview process. If you are someone passionate about working on problems that have a real-world impact, we'd love to hear from you!To view Anduril's candidate data privacy policy, please visit .

Anduril Industries