Senior Program Manager

Senior Program Manager – Fairbanks Morse Defense

The Senior Program Manager is responsible for rapid, consistent, and efficient program management through planning, managing, executing, organizing, directing, and controlling all program and/or project deliverables in accordance with program/project objectives, segment goals, initiatives, and strategy. Coordinates efforts of the service and engineering teams to ensure customer goals and timelines are met, and manages all communications with the customer as the project’s point of contact from contract kickoff through the warranty period.

• Lead overall program direction, ensuring completion of well‑defined programs/projects on schedule, specification, cost and business case requirements.
• Coordinate with Sales/Bids & Proposal groups to implement proposal plans, contract budgets, deliverables and schedules, and manage the transition from proposal to contract phase.
• Collaborate with all functional areas to establish and implement a project plan, negotiating with disciplines for required work within schedule, cost, and performance constraints.
• Proactively monitor risks, opportunities, and program/project performance, and develop recovery plans for deficient areas.
• Serve as a leader within the Fairbanks Morse Engines team, fostering multi‑disciplinary collaboration to develop detailed plans.
• Manage all customer communications, acting as the customer advocate for all program matters and resolving issues across departments and suppliers.
• Ensure adequate cost collection and verify budget accuracy.
• Evaluate all program phases, including budget, schedule, technical performance, and manufacturing performance, and report status to management.
• Assist other Program Managers and Sales in applying lessons learned across programs and proposals.
• Directly manage one or more associates, administering performance management programs, recommending staff levels, promotions and salary increases.
• Travel to customer or supplier locations as occasionally required.

• Bachelor’s degree in business, engineering, project management, or a related discipline.
• Preferred: MBA with emphasis in Business Administration, Operations Management, or Project Management.
• Project Management certification is strongly preferred and required within 6 months of hire.
• Minimum 6+ years of successful project execution experience, including at least 1+ year of program execution experience.
• Demonstrated ability to lead an indirect team of 5+ individuals, balancing workloads and providing performance coaching.
• Strong project management skills: cost control, progress concepts, project organization, regulatory agency rules, decision making, and processes.
• Business acumen with solid understanding of financial data related to reporting and decision‑making.
• Strong root cause analysis and problem‑solving ability.
• Excellent English communication skills (oral, written, and presentation).
• Ability to develop creative, sound solutions to commercial problems balancing customer expectations and organizational objectives.
• Demonstrated resilience to adjust and thrive in an environment with changing requirements, schedules, and priorities for multiple projects.
• Excellent business power user IT skills (MS Office & Office 365, MS Project); experience with Oracle is a plus.
• Willingness and flexibility to travel as required.
• Technical knowledge of Fairbanks Morse product lines is a plus.

Due to government contract requirements, must be a U.S. Citizen. This position may involve access to Unclassified Naval Nuclear Propulsion Information (NOFORN). Proof of U.S. citizenship (passport, birth certificate, or naturalization certificate) must be provided. No dual citizenship is allowed.

Seniority level:
Mid‑Senior level.

Employment type:

Full‑time.

Job function:
Project Management.

Industry: Defense and Space Manufacturing.