Program Manager, Defense Maritime Operations & Government Relations at Fathom Robotics

About Fathom Robotics

Fathom Robotics provides operations, maintenance, training, and applied engineering services for uncrewed maritime systems supporting U.S. Government and commercial defense programs. We have multiple active projects across a variety of government and commercial clients and are actively fielding systems in operational environments.

Role Overview

Fathom Robotics is hiring a Program Manager to own execution across multiple field operations and engineering programs and to serve as a primary point of contact across our customer base. Fathom works three sides of the defense uncrewed systems market at once: as a subcontractor to defense primes, in direct support of OEMs, and direct to government program offices and end users. You will run the day-to-day business of assigned programs, schedule, budget, deliverables, and risk, while managing relationships that shift in structure depending on who you are talking to. One week you are reporting status to a prime's program office, the next you are coordinating directly with an OEM's engineering team, and the next you are standing in front of a government customer. This role suits someone who enjoys that variety and is equally comfortable adapting their communication style across each type of client. This role sits between the customer and the shop floor. You need to be equally credible in a program review and on a dock during a field event.

Location: Hybrid, anywhere in the United States, with approximately 30% travel to our Fort Worth, TX facility, Ventura, CA facility, customer sites, government offices, and field test locations

Work Type: Full-Time

Program Conditions

This position is remote and can be based anywhere in the United States. Expect approximately 30 percent travel, including visits to our Fort Worth, TX facility, Ventura, CA facility, customer program offices, and field test and demonstration sites, with occasional time on the water alongside the engineering and operations team. The position follows a standard full-time schedule with the expectation that program milestones, government meetings, and field events will require additional or adjusted hours.

Responsibilities

• Own program execution across assigned field operations and engineering efforts, including schedule, cost, and deliverable tracking
• Manage relationships across three distinct client types: prime contractors Fathom subcontracts under, OEMs Fathom directly supports, and government program offices and end users Fathom serves directly
• Adapt communication and reporting style to fit each client relationship, from formal prime contractor status reporting to informal, fast-moving OEM engineering coordination to direct government stakeholder engagement
• Track and deliver contract data requirements (CDRLs) and other formal deliverables on schedule
• Coordinate field test events and customer demonstrations, including logistics, scheduling, and on-site client and government engagement
• Support contract administration, modifications, and period-of-performance tracking across active awards, including subcontract requirements when working under a prime
• Provide program input to proposals and capture activities, including cost estimates and technical volume coordination
• Identify program risks early and drive mitigation plans across engineering, operations, and business functions
• Maintain and grow relationships across primes, OEMs, and government stakeholders to support follow-on and expansion opportunities
• Report program status internally to leadership and externally to each client type on a regular cadence

Requirements

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in engineering, business, a related technical field, or equivalent hands-on program management experience
• 5 or more years of program or project management experience within defense or government contracting
• Working knowledge of the DoW acquisition process and common contract types, including firm-fixed-price and cost-reimbursement structures
• Demonstrated experience engaging directly with government program offices or contracting officers
• Comfortable working across multiple client relationship types, including as a subcontractor reporting to a prime, in direct support of an OEM, and direct to a government customer
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including comfort presenting to government customers, prime contractor program offices, and OEM engineering teams
• Ability to travel approximately 30 percent of the time, including participation in field test and demonstration events with time on the water
• US person status required (defense program context)
• Must be able to pass a background check and be eligible to obtain a SECRET clearance

Preferred Qualifications

• PMP certification or equivalent program management credential
• Prior experience on maritime or unmanned systems programs
• Experience working as a subcontractor under a defense prime, in addition to direct government or OEM program experience
• Existing relationships within the Navy or broader unmanned maritime systems community
• Active SECRET clearance

Benefits

Come join our fast growing team! We offer a flexible ICHRA (Individual Coverage Health Reimbursement Arrangement) plan, giving employees the freedom to choose their own health coverage through an online shopping platform. Each employee receives a $750 stipend to put toward their plan, and the funds can also be used toward other eligible health expenses. This approach lets you tailor your coverage to fit your individual needs rather than a one-size-fits-all option.

Compensation: Competitive salary, commensurate with experience.