Program Manager - Site Launch & Readiness

Program Leadership & Site Execution

Lead the full lifecycle of the site stand-up effort, from planning through operational readiness reporting to executive leadership. Develop and maintain production readiness schedules, ensuring all functional teams meet critical path milestones. Capture and manage all site-related costs, including capital expenditures, operational ramp-up costs, and burn-down tracking. Create and maintain a centralized data environment for schedules, risks, costs, and status reporting. Conduct risk assessments and implement mitigation plans to protect schedule, cost, and operational objectives. Coordinate cross-functional resources to ensure engineering, production, facilities, and support teams are aligned and adequately staffed. Ensure compliance with internal standards, customer expectations, and applicable government requirements.

Executive & Government Reporting

Prepare milestone presentations for executive leadership, summarizing cost status, schedule performance, risks, and readiness. Develop reporting packages for local government partners, community stakeholders, and regulatory bodies. Translate complex technical and financial data into clear, concise summaries for diverse audiences. Maintain proactive communication with leadership, ensuring transparency and expectation alignment.

Cost Management & Financial Tracking

Own cost capture and burn-down reporting for the Montana site launch. Develop cost models and forecasts to support decision-making and resource allocation. Ensure financial accuracy through disciplined documentation, audit-ready tracking, and cross-functional validation. Support capital planning and long-term budgeting for the new facility.

Team Leadership & Collaboration

Lead cross-functional launch teams across engineering, operations, facilities, and support groups. Establish clear roles, responsibilities, and workflows for all site-launch contributors. Mentor junior project managers and support professional development within the program team as needed. Foster a collaborative environment that encourages transparency, accountability, and continuous improvement.

Operational Excellence

Implement program management tools to drive schedule discipline, cost control, and data accuracy. Develop and refine processes that support long-term site operations. Maintain professionalism under pressure while managing competing priorities and tight deadlines. Support organizational success through additional responsibilities as needed.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, business, operations, or related field.
• Minimum 4 years of experience in aerospace, defense, advanced manufacturing, or complex industrial environments.
• Demonstrated ability to manage cost tracking, financial reporting, and schedule performance.
• Strong technical aptitude and ability to understand engineering, manufacturing, and facility requirements.
• Proven success managing complex, multi-stakeholder projects with cost, schedule, and performance accountability.
• Excellent communication skills, including experience presenting to executives or government stakeholders.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with exceptional attention to detail.
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, ambiguous environment while maintaining structure and clarity.
• High integrity, professionalism, and discretion.