Program Manager

Position Summary

The Program Manager leads complex, engineering-driven programs from early customer engagement and proposal development through design, production release, and contract execution. This role requires a strong technical or engineering background combined with proven commercial experience supporting bids, proposals, and technical sales discussions with customers.

The Program Manager serves as the primary technical and programmatic liaison between customers, design engineering, and internal cross‑functional teams. This position is accountable for program execution, customer satisfaction, financial performance, and schedule adherence while supporting business development activities through credible technical engagement and bid support.

• Program & Proposal Leadership – Supports commercial and technical sales efforts by participating directly in customer discussions, bid reviews, and proposal development.
• Translates customer technical requirements into clear scopes of work, cost estimates, schedules, and risk assessments.
• Leads development of statements of work (SOW), including schedules, milestones, budgets, subcontracting strategies, IP/NDAs, compliance requirements (e.g., export controls), and customer deliverables.
• Acts as a technical credibility point with customers during pre‑award and post‑award phases.
• Program Planning & Execution – Develops and maintains integrated program plans covering scope, schedule, cost, resources, and risk.
• Communicates program goals, responsibilities, and deliverables to cross‑functional teams including Engineering, Production, Quality, Purchasing, and Finance.
• Negotiates and secures internal resources required to meet program objectives.
• Monitors program performance, proactively identifies issues, and drives corrective actions to maintain schedule and budget adherence.
• Manages program changes, ensuring customer alignment and formal approval of scope, cost, and schedule impacts.
• Customer & Engineering Liaison – Serves as the primary customer interface for assigned programs, providing regular technical and programmatic updates.
• Bridges communication between customers and design engineering, ensuring customer needs are clearly understood and technically achievable.
• Facilitates technical reviews, design reviews, and program milestone reviews with both internal teams and customers.
• Ensures technical requirements, specifications, and contractual commitments are properly flowed down and executed.
• Financial, Risk & Compliance Management – Manages program budgets, labor, and material tracking across multiple programs.
• Leads risk management activities, including identification, mitigation planning, and ongoing monitoring.
• Ensures compliance with internal procedures, quality standards, contractual obligations, and regulatory requirements (including ITAR, as applicable).
• Maintains complete, accurate, and auditable program documentation and records.
• Reporting & Continuous Improvement – Prepares and delivers clear program status reports to customers and senior leadership.
• Drives continuous improvement initiatives related to program execution, customer engagement, and cross‑functional collaboration.

• Minimum of eight (8) years of experience managing engineering‑based programs or projects involving complex technical products or systems.
• Demonstrated experience engaging customers in commercial and technical discussions, including bid support, proposals, and contract execution.
• Strong ability to interface between customers and engineering teams, translating technical requirements into executable program plans.
• Experience with industrial, defense, medical, or other regulated industries preferred;
  DoD or Navy experience a plus.
• Proven knowledge of program risk management, cost control, and continuous improvement methodologies.
• Ability to travel approximately 10–20% as required to support customer and program needs.
• Must be a U.S. Person within the meaning of ITAR.

• Strong technical aptitude with the ability to understand and communicate engineering concepts.
• Excellent program management, problem‑solving, and…