Sr. Program Manager - Aerospace & Defense

About the role

The Sr. Program Manager – Aerospace & Defense (A&D) is a factory-based position responsible for managing programs from business case development through contract execution, compliance management, and delivery. This role bridges the gap between the A&D commercial sales team and internal functions such as manufacturing, engineering, quality, and operations.

Responsibilities

• Partner with the A&D commercial sales team to develop business cases, multi-year program strategies, and go/no-go recommendations, providing feasibility and manufacturing readiness input on new opportunities with OEMs, Tier 1 suppliers, and defense contractors.

• Own end-to-end program management for all active A&D accounts, from initial order entry through production, delivery, and ongoing program support.

• Manage all aerospace and defense compliance requirements, including AS9100, NADCAP, ITAR, and DFARS, ensuring internal teams understand and can meet customer and regulatory obligations.

• Serve as the primary point of coordination across engineering, manufacturing, quality, supply chain, IT, and customer service, pulling together the right resources and removing barriers to program execution.

• Act as the voice of the customer inside Watlow's factory and functional teams, participating in customer visits, site audits, and technical reviews alongside the commercial lead to build long-term customer confidence.

• Maintain awareness of aerospace and defense industry trends and regulatory requirements, and provide market intelligence and customer insights to leadership and product development teams.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Business, Manufacturing, or a related field.

• 5+ years of experience in aerospace and defense, industrial manufacturing, technical sales, program management, or account management.

• Proven track record of developing customer relationships and growing business within complex technical environments.

• Strong project and program management skills, with excellent communication, negotiation, and presentation abilities.

• Ability to travel up to 30-50% as required.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience supporting aerospace OEMs, defense contractors, or Tier 1 suppliers.

• Knowledge of aerospace and defense quality systems and standards (AS9100, NADCAP, ITAR, DFARS, etc.).

• Experience with thermal systems, sensors, controls, industrial components, or engineered manufacturing solutions.

• PMP certification, MBA, or advanced technical degree.