Caterpillar, Inc

Program Manager - Defense

Caterpillar, Inc$147K — $221K *
Aerospace & Defense
Less than 5 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • 5-7 years of experience in program management within the defense contracting industry
  • Knowledge of sales processes related to federal government contracting
  • Strong understanding of machine products and their applications
  • Proven ability to lead cross-functional teams and integrate efforts across various departments
  • Experience in developing and negotiating proposals and contracts
  • Ability to obtain security clearance; U.S. Citizenship required
  • Effective communication and influencing skills

Responsibilities

  • Act as the primary customer contact for all program-related issues
  • Lead proposal development including pricing, scope, and terms negotiation
  • Create and implement plans to execute programs and monitor their performance
  • Develop annual business plans focused on financial outcomes
  • Identify product opportunities and negotiate contracts with government buyers
  • Collaborate with purchasing and contracting to manage supplier relations
  • Assess and resolve execution challenges to ensure quality and satisfaction
  • Oversee customer engagement and field operations through travel

Benefits

  • Medical, dental, and vision benefits
  • Paid time off including vacation, holidays, and volunteer days
  • 401(k) savings plans with company match
  • Health Savings Account (HSA) options
  • Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs)
  • Employee assistance program for personal and professional support
  • Incentive bonuses based on performance
  • Tuition reimbursement for career development
  • Adoption and parental leave benefits
Full Job Description

Career Area:

Strategy

Job Description:

Job Summary:

Caterpillar Defense is seeking a Program Manager to fill a position on the sales team for the machine segment.  This position is responsible for coordinating with internal product, engineering, sales and contracting organizations, and external customers to translate unique customer requirements into marketable items for direct sales through federal government contracting mechanisms.  Customers can include US Department of Defense and Federal agencies, as well as international allied militaries, Caterpillar dealers and third-party governmental marketing and sales organizations. 

What You Will Do:

  • Serve as the primary customer focal point to resolve problems before, during, and after delivery by providing specific direction for the performance of all work to meet cost, quality and required contract delivery schedules.  

  • Provide the lead direction in the company effort for major proposals including scope of supply, suppliers, exception to terms, influencing establishment of prices and assist in negotiating final agreements.  

  • Develop specific plans for program execution and monitor actual performance.  Negotiate changes to programs including cost, price, supplier selection, etc. Direct changes required due to performance or reliability problems.  

  • Develop, implement, and achieve annual business plan including revenue, cost of sales, direct costs, and accountable profit.  

  • Identify product opportunities and determine technology enhancements which offer cost/value for the customer. Assist in negotiating contracts with the buying commands and organizations. Determine the scope of work including costing and pricing.  

  • Work with Purchasing and Contracting to identify, select, negotiate, and administer supplier and subcontractor execution. Review and approve dealer and supplier PO’s, subcontracts, and invoices.

  • Lead efforts to align customer product requirements with commercial product group offerings.  This can include collaboration on NPI, CPI and NTI programs, parts and product obsolescence, S&OP planning, factory/facility production coordination and establishing effective communication forums amongst all impacted organizations. 

  • Carefully evaluate problems and execution challenges and work with respective organizations to develop solutions and achieve agreement and decision on execution paths to eliminate. 

  • Sets program priorities and establish work plans to complete broadly defined assignments and achieve desired results.  

  • Impacts key quality goals including Customer Satisfaction, Continuous Improvement, Timeliness, Accuracy, Efficiency, Cost Savings, Process Quality, etc.  The position monitors adherence to quality and technical standards and develops action plans for addressing below standard performance.

  • Travel to the field to monitor and resolve issues regarding customer satisfaction, future product needs and oversee supplier and subcontractor execution and quality.  

What Skills You Will Need:
Influencing: Knowledge of effective influencing tactics and strategies; ability to impact decisions within and outside own organization.

Cross-Team Integration: Understanding of the importance of inter-team collaboration in breaking down silos and achieving business results; ability to lead employees from various functions to communicate, coordinate work across divisions, and collaborate in solving problems as one team.

Program Management: Knowledge of the policies and techniques to manage a set of related projects within a program; ability to plan, organize, monitor, and control the set of projects, ensuring efficient utilization of technical and administrative resources to achieve program objectives.

Top Candidates Will Have:

  • Previous experience with commercial and US Government contracting, purchasing, and funding

  • Thorough knowledge of machine products, product applications, technology, and Caterpillar systems & processes

Additional Information:

  • Up to 30% travel expected

This position requires a government security clearance; you must be a U.S. Citizen for consideration.


 

Summary Pay Range:

$147,760.00 - $221,640.00

Compensation and benefits offered may vary depending on multiple individualized factors, job level, market location, job-related knowledge, skills, individual performance and experience. Please note that salary is only one component of total compensation at Caterpillar. 

Benefits:

Subject to plan eligibility, terms, and guidelines. This is a summary list of benefits.

  • Medical, dental, and vision benefits*

  • Paid time off plan (Vacation, Holidays, Volunteer, etc.)*

  • 401(k) savings plans*

  • Health Savings Account (HSA)*

  • Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs)*

  • Health Lifestyle Programs*

  • Employee Assistance Program*

  • Voluntary Benefits and Employee Discounts*

  • Career Development*

  • Incentive bonus*

  • Disability benefits

  • Life Insurance

  • Parental leave

  • Adoption benefits

  • Tuition Reimbursement

       

* These benefits also apply to part-time employees

 

 

This position requires working onsite five days a week. 

 

 

 

Visa Sponsorship is not available for this position.

 

 

Posting Dates:

September 17, 2026 - September 27, 2026

Any offer of employment is conditioned upon the successful completion of a drug screen.

About Caterpillar, Inc

Progress Rail Services Corporation, a Caterpillar company, is one of the largest integrated and diversified suppliers of railroad and transit system products and services worldwide. Since its acquisition by Caterpillar Inc. in 2006, Progress Rail has used the Caterpillar international footprint to gain quick and widespread notice and approval across the globe. Product technology, reliability and durability, along with legendary aftermarket parts and service support, have been their keys to success. Caterpillar is the world's leading manufacturer of construction and mining equipment, diesel and natural gas engines and industrial gas turbines. The technology and world reach of Caterpillar, combined with the service standard and historical reliability of Progress Rail, ensures their products and services make a growing impact on the world rail industry. With their acquisition of Electro-Motive Diesel (EMD), Progress Rail is the world's largest builder of diesel-electric locomotives for all commercial railroad applications including freight, intercity passenger, commuter, switching, industrial and mining. EMD is also a global provider of diesel power engines for marine propulsion, offshore and land based oil well drilling rigs and stationary power generation. Electro-Motive is the only diesel engine manufacturer of its size to have produced more than 70,000 engines. This success stems from product reliability, serviceability, load acceptance capability, low operating costs and ease of maintenance with standardized components.

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Make a great first impression. Prepare for your interview at Caterpillar by reviewing common questions and practicing your responses. Tailor your resume to highlight the experiences and skills that make you the ideal candidate for the position you are applying for. At Caterpillar, Inc., every role offers the chance to make an impact. Come be a part of our team and drive the future of our global industries. Your career at Caterpillar is not just about what you'll accomplish, but how you'll grow and the innovation you'll lead. Join us and build a career that matters.
Learn more about Caterpillar, Inc
Size
107,700 employees
Market Cap
$125.3 billion
Industry
Net Income
$2.9 billion
Founded
1925
5 Year Trend
+5.8%
Revenue
$41.7 billion
NASDAQ

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