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Senior Program Director

Denver, CO

Posted: 06/16/2026 Industry: Leadership Job Number: 3618851 Pay Rate: 200000/year - 250000/year

Job Description


Program Director – Advanced Engineering Systems

Location: Denver, CO (Onsite, relocation available)

Compensation & Benefits
  • Base Salary: $200,000–$250,000
  • Performance incentives and long-term equity opportunities
  • Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage
  • 401(k) with company match
  • Paid parental leave
  • Flexible paid time off
  • Company-paid holidays
  • Life and disability insurance
  • Opportunity to contribute to groundbreaking technology programs with significant real-world impact

About the Opportunity

A well-funded, rapidly growing advanced technology company is seeking a Program Director to lead the development and execution of a highly complex, large-scale engineering program. This is a rare opportunity to oversee a transformative technology initiative from concept through deployment while leading multidisciplinary teams across engineering, science, operations, supply chain, and construction.

The ideal candidate will bring a strong background managing large technical programs within highly regulated, engineering-intensive environments and a proven ability to deliver complex projects involving significant capital investment.

Position Summary

The Program Director will be responsible for defining, planning, and executing a large-scale engineering program with budgets ranging from hundreds of millions to over a billion dollars. This individual will provide leadership across technical and operational functions, ensuring successful delivery of critical systems while maintaining quality, schedule, budget, and safety objectives.

This role requires a strategic leader capable of managing complex stakeholder relationships, guiding technical decision-making, and driving programs from early-stage development through commissioning and operational readiness.

Key Responsibilities
  • Lead the overall strategy, planning, and execution of a large-scale engineering program.
  • Provide day-to-day leadership for cross-functional teams including engineering, operations, manufacturing, supply chain, and project management.
  • Direct the development of complex system architectures from concept definition through integration and deployment.
  • Establish technical requirements, execution plans, schedules, and performance metrics.
  • Manage program budgets, forecasting, resource planning, and capital expenditures.
  • Oversee procurement activities and vendor relationships for critical-path equipment and long-lead components.
  • Guide projects through conceptual design, detailed engineering, fabrication, construction, assembly, testing, and commissioning.
  • Partner with safety, quality, regulatory, and compliance teams to ensure adherence to applicable industry standards and requirements.
  • Identify program risks and implement mitigation strategies to maintain schedule and budget objectives.
  • Communicate program status, challenges, and opportunities to executive leadership and key stakeholders.
  • Drive continuous improvement initiatives focused on program execution, quality, and operational efficiency.

Required Qualifications
  • Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Physics, or a related technical discipline.
  • 10+ years of experience leading large, complex engineering programs within highly technical industries.
  • Demonstrated success managing programs involving substantial capital investment and multidisciplinary teams.
  • Experience guiding products, systems, or technologies from concept through prototype and production/deployment.
  • Strong understanding of systems engineering principles and large-scale project execution.
  • Experience working in regulated or safety-critical industries.
  • Exceptional leadership, communication, and stakeholder management skills.
  • Technical expertise in one or more engineering disciplines such as mechanical, electrical, aerospace, energy, industrial, or systems engineering.
  • Ability to balance strategic planning with hands-on program execution.

Preferred Qualifications
  • Master's degree or PhD in Engineering or a related technical field.
  • Experience leading the design, construction, or deployment of first-of-a-kind systems or infrastructure.
  • Familiarity with large-scale energy, aerospace, defense, industrial, advanced manufacturing, or research programs.
  • Experience working with regulatory, compliance, safety, or licensing requirements for major engineering projects.
  • Proven track record delivering technically complex projects under aggressive timelines.

Who is Rainier Recruiting? 

Rainier Recruiting is a boutique, award winning national staffing agency and executive search firm. Using an approach that “treats every candidate like an executive search”, we offer positions in contract-to-hire, Full-Time, and executive search. Named the #1 Best Workplace in Washington State in 2022, recognized as a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing firm, and identified as a top recruitment firm by multiple business journals, Rainier Recruiting is fast becoming a respected company. We are no longer the “best recruiters you have never heard of”. Rainier Recruiting is also proud to share our clients have a 93% repeat business rate. Rainier Recruiting is an equal opportunity employer and service provider and does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, gender, gender identity, national origin, citizenship status, sexual orientation, disability, political affiliation or belief, or any other protected class. We are committed to the principles of Equal Opportunity Employment and are dedicated to making employment decisions based on merit and value, for ourselves, our client companies, and for the candidates we represent. We engage in socially conscious business practices and believe that diverse, equitable, inclusive, and non-biased talent and recruitment processes are foundational to the success of every organization that we partner with.

Meet Your Recruiter

Joely Downing
Senior Recruiter

Joely spent most of her career in the hotel business and started recruiting in the Hospitality field before coming to Rainier Recruiting.  Outside of work, Joely enjoys time with family and friends and traveling. Confident she can find the best candidates from anywhere, she is hoping to move her desk permanently to Mexico sooner than later.    

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About Denver, CO

Ready to kickstart your career in the vibrant city of Denver, Colorado? Nestled in the heart of the Rocky Mountains, Denver offers a perfect blend of outdoor adventure, cultural attractions, and career growth opportunities. Imagine weekends exploring the stunning Red Rocks Park & Amphitheatre, cheering on the Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High, or indulging in the city's renowned craft beer scene. With an array of job opportunities in industries ranging from tech to healthcare, Denver is a dynamic city where professional success meets a laid-back lifestyle. Explore our job listings today and embark on a fulfilling career in the Mile High City!