Program Manager

GrayMatter Robotics is a well-capitalized Physical AI company headquartered in Los Angeles, building Factory SuperIntelligence (FSI) through systems that learn, adapt, and develop genuine process intelligence across every part they touch. Our robots take on the tedious, hazardous, and ergonomically demanding work that has kept manufacturing dependent on a shrinking skilled workforce, delivering superhuman performance. GMR is standing up one of the most ambitious builds in company history: a largely autonomous manufacturing facility supporting a major U.S. shipbuilding program, scaling from small components today to structures up to 50 feet across within two years. This role is the single point of continuity across that multi-year build, spanning dozens of new robotic applications, a key robotics collaborator, and the path to NAVSEA qualification.

Responsibilities

Own end-to-end delivery of a multi-year, defense-scale manufacturing build-out, including standing up the physical facility itself (permitting, layout, and utilities), through to full production qualification; Coordinate ongoing production operations once qualified, so output stays on schedule as volume scales; Sequence work across a growing set of robotic applications, including cutting, beveling, grinding, blasting, spraying, inspection, and material handling; Coordinate design and scheduling decisions between GMR's engineering teams and a key external robotics collaborator; Own the qualification roadmap with the NAVSEA, translating federal requirements into a sequenced plan for robotic process approval; Report program status, risk, and milestones to senior leadership on both the customer and GMR side, including executive and government stakeholders; Identify program risk early and resolve cross-functional bottlenecks before they affect schedule, cost, or qualification timelines; Build and maintain the single source of truth for program requirements, milestones, and inter-company handoffs; Use AI-native tools to track program status, surface risk earlier, and keep documentation current across a fast-moving, multi-site build; Travel to customer and program sites as needed, up to 25% of the time

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, or a related engineering field, or equivalent professional engineering experience; 10+ years of experience in program or project management within complex, highly regulated engineering environments such as aerospace, automotive, maritime, or defense; Demonstrated experience standing up new production capability, not just managing an existing line; Proven track record managing executive-level and cross-organizational stakeholder relationships; Ability to operate with significant ambiguity and evolving scope, and to turn that ambiguity into a clear, sequenced plan; Ability to communicate and collaborate effectively across multiple teams; Willingness to work in a fast-paced environment with quickly changing priorities; Willingness to travel to customer sites as required by the role; Must meet export control requirements in the United States (U.S. citizen or national, U.S. lawful permanent resident, refugee under 8 U.S.C. § 1157, or asylee under 8 U.S.C. § 1158) and maintain ongoing work authorization beginning at the time of hire through the entirety of employment

Nice to have

Experience in maritime, shipbuilding, or naval engineering environments; Experience navigating NAVSEA or other federal qualification and compliance processes; Prior military engineering leadership experience, such as service academy commissioning, followed by private-industry experience; Demonstrated use of AI tools to automate workflows, analyze data, or accelerate program reporting

Benefits

Medical, dental, and vision coverage; Unlimited PTO; 401(k) plan with employer match; Regular offsite events; Discretionary fund for enhancing productivity; Possible bonus, commission, and equity depending on the position