Program Manager

This position operates on an office-first, hybrid schedule based out of our Racine, WI facility to support regular, hands-on collaboration with engineering, manufacturing assembly, and test cell operations. Candidates must reside within commuting distance or be willing to relocate. Up to 20% travel is required to support customer program offices, military test installations, and key suppliers.

The Program Manager leads and directs the daily execution of contract requirements to ensure cost, schedule, and technical performance objectives are achieved from kickoff through project closeout. Serving as the primary interface for both internal and external stakeholders, this role drives cross-functional alignment across engineering, procurement, manufacturing, and testing for advanced propulsion systems. This position requires exceptional interpersonal, communication, and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to build consensus and influence decisions across all levels of the organization. The Program Manager must effectively navigate competing technical, schedule, and cost priorities, align internal and external stakeholders, and exercise sound judgment in balancing organizational objectives with customer requirements. Additionally, the Program Manager partners with Sales and Engineering to support capture planning, proposal development, and bid strategies for new and follow-on business.

An individual in this position must be able to successfully perform the duties and responsibilities listed below. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this position. Other duties may be assigned.

• Contract & Program Execution: Direct the end-to-end lifecycle development, qualification, and fielding of propulsion systems, ensuring all contractual deliverables meet scope, schedule, and cost baselines.
• Requirements Management & Stakeholder Interface: Translate complex customer specifications and statements of work (SOW) into actionable internal work breakdowns; maintain clear responsive communication with internal teams, external customers, and supply partners.
• Planning & Milestone Tracking: Develop and manage baseline Integrated Master Schedules (IMS) and Plans of Action & Milestones (POA&M), synchronizing efforts across systems engineering, supply chain, test operations, and production.
• Formal Reviews & Gate Exits: Chair and facilitate formal internal program lifecycle reviews, including Preliminary Design Reviews (PDR), Critical Design Reviews (CDR), Test Readiness Reviews (TRR), and Safety Reviews, ensuring all gate criteria are met on schedule.
• Risk & Opportunity Management: Identify, assess, and track technical, schedule, and cost risks early; implement proactive mitigation plans and report program health metrics to executive leadership and key stakeholders.
• Cross-Functional Leadership: Provide strong matrix leadership and mentorship across project teams and stakeholders, fostering a collaborative, accountable culture aligned with company values.
• Proposal & Bid Support: Collaborate with Sales and Engineering to evaluate customer solicitations (RFIs/RFPs), support cost modeling and quoting, and draft technical/management proposal volumes.

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Business Administration, or a related technical discipline.
• Experience: Minimum of 8 years of progressive program management experience within defense, aerospace, or a related high-reliability industrial sector.
• Project Frameworks: Thorough grounding in structured project management standards (e.g., PMI, AS9100, IATF 16949, or standard defense acquisition frameworks).
• Tools & Systems: Proficiency with PM software, Microsoft Office Suite (including MS Project/Excel).
• Operational Acumen: Strong working knowledge of defense and commercial manufacturing workflows, hardware production environments, and product lifecycle development from design to delivery.
• Communication: Exceptional written and verbal communication skills with demonstrated success presenting to executive leadership and technical customers.

• Master’s degree in Systems Engineering, Aerospace/Mechanical Engineering, or Business Administration (MBA).
• Project Management Professional (PMP) credential or DAWIA Level III / Practitioner certification in Program Management or Engineering.
• Demonstrated experience with Earned Value Management Systems (EVMS) or similar cost/schedule performance measurement tools.
• Experience in unmanned and/or autonomous air-breathing propulsion and flight system integration.
• Working understanding of defense contracting mechanisms (Firm-Fixed-Price, Cost-Plus).

• Office & Meeting Spaces: Approximately 60–70% of time spent in a standard office environment planning schedules, conducting budget analyses, drafting reports, and leading cross-functional or customer meetings (both in-person and virtual).
• Shop Floor & Production: Regular presence on the manufacturing floor to monitor assembly workflows, review hardware build progress, interface with production technicians, and verify gate milestone readiness.
• Test Facilities & Dyno Cells: Routine visits to engine test cells, test stands, and integration labs during qualification, calibration, and Test Readiness Reviews (TRRs), which involve exposure to higher noise levels, vibrations, fuels, and mechanical machinery (requiring mandatory PPE).
• Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on computers.
• Ability to walk, stand, and navigate manufacturing assembly floors, test cell viewing areas, and hangar or mechanical shop bays.
• Capability to don and wear Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) as required, including safety glasses with side shields, steel-toe boots, and hearing protection.
• Occasional light lifting of program documentation or flight-hardware demonstration fixtures (up to 25 lbs).
• Estimated up to 20% travel, primarily domestic, to visit customer program offices, military/government testing installations, key tier-one suppliers, and industry technical symposiums.