Program Manager

Program Manager Aerospace / Manufacturing

Location: On-site, Carson CA
Compensation: $120,000 $130,000 annually + 10% bonus
Travel: Up to 3040%

Company Overview
Our client is a manufacturing organization focused on delivering complex, high-value products through integrated program execution and operational excellence. The company combines engineering, production, and supply chain capabilities to support long-cycle, customer-driven programs that require precision, quality, and on-time delivery. The business emphasizes financial discipline, continuous improvement, and strong customer partnerships to drive performance and long-term growth.

Position Summary
The Program Manager will own the full lifecycle of medium to large, complex programs with responsibility for program execution, financial performance, customer satisfaction, and overall business results. This role leads cross-functional teams, manages program risk, drives schedule and scope control, and ensures program delivery aligns with customer expectations and business objectives.

The Program Manager will serve as the primary customer interface and will be responsible for leading Integrated Product Teams (IPTs), maintaining program financial discipline, and driving operational excellence across assigned programs. This position requires strong leadership, communication, financial management, and program execution skills within a manufacturing, aerospace, defense, or similar high-complexity environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Own overall program performance, including execution, financial results, schedule, risk, and customer satisfaction.
• Lead cross-functional teams, including project managers, IPT leaders, engineering, operations, supply chain, quality, and finance.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for customers, internal stakeholders, and program leadership.
• Develop, manage, and maintain program plans, schedules, and Integrated Master Schedules (IMS).
• Monitor program financial performance, forecasts, margins, variances, and corrective action plans.
• Maintain full P&L responsibility for assigned programs.
• Identify, manage, and mitigate program risks, schedule delays, scope changes, and critical path issues.
• Lead program reviews, milestone gates, status meetings, and customer updates.
• Support major program milestones, including PDR, CDR, PRR, and other technical or production readiness reviews.
• Ensure contract alignment, scope control, and proper change management processes.
• Coordinate resources across functional teams to resolve execution challenges and maintain delivery performance.
• Establish and track KPIs to measure program performance and support continuous improvement.
• Drive operational excellence through disciplined program management, Lean principles, and process improvement.
• Provide coaching, feedback, and development support to team members.
• Deliver quarterly financial updates, forecasts, and long-term program projections to leadership.
• Support customer relationship management and long-term business growth.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required; Engineering degree preferred.
• 5+ years of program management experience in aerospace, defense, manufacturing, or a similar complex technical environment.
• Strong understanding of program management methodologies, lifecycle management, and integrated program execution.
• Proven experience with financial management, forecasting, budgeting, margin tracking, and P&L ownership.
• Experience leading cross-functional teams in engineering, manufacturing, operations, supply chain, quality, or related functions.
• Strong knowledge of risk management, scope control, schedule management, and change management.
• Experience managing Integrated Product Teams (IPTs) or similar cross-functional program teams.
• Ability to manage complex customer-driven programs with long timelines and high accountability.
• Proficiency with MS Project and Microsoft Office.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong customer-facing skills with the ability to manage expectations and build long-term relationships.
• Familiarity with Lean principles and continuous improvement preferred.
• PMP or similar certification preferred, but not required.
• Ability to travel up to 3040%.

Preferred Background

• Aerospace, defense, high-tech manufacturing, precision manufacturing, or complex engineered products.
• Experience managing technical programs from development through production.
• Familiarity with milestone reviews such as PDR, CDR, PRR, or similar program gates.
• Experience in regulated manufacturing environments with quality, compliance, and delivery requirements.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement
The company is an Equal Opportunity Employer and considers all qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other legally protected status.