Project Manager – Defence & Government Programs

Role Overview

We are looking for a seasoned Project Manager to lead high-impact defence and government R&D programs. This role requires deep expertise in managing IDEX / DRDO-led projects, working closely with PSUs, and driving execution across multidisciplinary engineering teams.

You will work directly with founders and leadership to ensure on-time, compliant, and high-quality delivery of mission-critical programs.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end execution of defence R&D and government-funded projects
• Manage IDEX project submissions, approvals, and milestone tracking
• Work closely with PSUs such as DRDO, HAL, BEL, BHEL, and BDL
• Ensure adherence to Defence Procurement Procedure (DPP) and compliance standards
• Drive milestone-based execution, documentation, and audit readiness
• Manage cross-functional teams across mechanical, electronics, and software engineering
• Act as the key liaison between government bodies, clients, and internal stakeholders
• Identify risks proactively and ensure mitigation across project lifecycle

Must-Have Requirements

• 8-12 years of experience in defence / government R&D program management
• Proven track record of delivering at least one IDEX or DRDO project successfully
• Strong exposure to PSU project frameworks and government ecosystems
• Deep understanding of DPP and defence procurement processes
• Experience managing complex, multi-disciplinary engineering teams
• Strong stakeholder management with government and client-facing maturity

Good to Have

• Exposure to DPIIT / Make in India ecosystem
• Prior experience in a defence-tech startup
• Understanding of dual-use technology regulations

Tools & Tech

• MS Project
• Jira & Confluence
• ERP Tools
• Advanced Excel

What We’re Looking For

• Strong government liaison & stakeholder management skills
• Ability to operate in high-compliance, high-ambiguity environments
• Excellent communication with founders, clients, and public sector stakeholders
• Structured thinker with strong risk management and execution discipline

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