Senior Program Manager

Job Summary

The Senior Program Manager – Production Programs is responsible for the successful execution of production programs and programs transitioning from development into low-rate initial production (LRIP) and follow-on production as the prime or as a subcontractor. This role leads cross-functional teams to ensure program objectives for cost, schedule, technical performance, quality, and delivery are achieved.

Job Responsibilities

• Lead day-to-day execution of multiple production programs to achieve cost, schedule, technical, quality, and delivery objectives
• Manage programs across the full contract lifecycle, including proposal support, contract award, production planning, execution, delivery, and closeout
• Serve as the primary interface with customers and internal stakeholders on program status, risks, delivery commitments, and overall performance
• Lead cross-functional teams across Engineering, Manufacturing, Operations, Quality, Supply Chain, Finance, Contracts, and Test to ensure successful execution
• Support new business through leading bid and proposal efforts for new awards, follow-on production, and contract modifications
• Manage program budgets, forecasts, and performance reporting, including labor, material, purchased services, and variance analysis
• Oversee transition from development into LRIP and production, ensuring alignment across functions and readiness for execution
• Drive resolution of production issues, including material shortages, test failures, nonconformances, engineering changes, and schedule disruptions
• Identify, monitor, and mitigate program risks; escalate significant issues and implement corrective action or recovery plans as needed
• Lead customer reviews, program reviews, and internal management reviews, while driving continuous improvement in planning and production execution

Qualifications

• Required Qualifications:
• Minimum of 7+ years of program management experience, with significant experience supporting production programs in aerospace, defense, or a complex manufacturing environment
• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent combination of education and experience; degree in Engineering, Finance, Supply Chain, Business, or a related field preferred
• Demonstrated experience managing complex production programs with responsibility for cost, schedule, technical performance, quality, and delivery across the full program lifecycle
• Experience leading cross-functional teams and driving execution across engineering, manufacturing, supply chain, quality, finance, contracts, and operations
• Working knowledge of program financial management, including budgeting, forecasting, variance analysis, and performance reporting
• Experience supporting proposals, contract execution, change management, and customer communications throughout the program lifecycle
• Strong understanding of production execution, including production planning, material availability, build schedules, quality performance, and on-time delivery
• Proven ability to identify and resolve program and production issues, manage risk, and implement corrective and recovery actions.
• Strong communication, leadership, and collaboration skills, with the ability to influence stakeholders and present program status to customers and senior management.
• Experience supporting transition from development into LRIP and production
• Experience with earned value cost accounting and reporting, program metrics, productivity analysis, and schedule/cost variance analysis
• Preferred Qualifications:
• Knowledge of DoD contracting requirements and FAR procurement regulations
• Experience with electro-mechanical assembly operations and complex defense manufacturing environments
• Experience with yield improvement, rework reduction, throughput improvement, and production flow optimization
• Experience implementing engineering changes and configuration updates in a production environment
• Knowledge of continuous improvement methodologies such as Lean, Six Sigma, or related process improvement disciplines
• Program Management certification preferred, such as PMP or DAU
• Active DOD security clearance preferred