Serve as the primary communication point for customers, ensuring timely updates and correspondence.
Lead customer management efforts, building strong relationships and aligning expectations.
Develop and execute comprehensive program plans outlining scope, schedules, and responsibilities.
Ensure product quality and manufacturability meet customer and internal standards throughout the lifecycle.
Manage the program budget, including lifecycle costs and customer requests.
Drive the New Product Introduction (NPI) process, collaborating with teams for successful execution.
Lead program reviews and technical meetings, ensuring documentation and coordination are thorough.
Benefits
Opportunity for professional development through workshops and industry publications.
Collaborative work environment across cross-functional teams.
Engagement in continuous improvement initiatives within the Quality Improvement System.
Full Job Description
Program Manager - Full-Time Onsite
Job Overview
Title: Program Manager
Location: Buena Park, California
Type: Full-Time
Salary Range: $90,000 - $110,000 (based on education and experience)
Job Summary
The Program Manager oversees and directs the development of new products including next generation commercial and military power distribution systems. The Program Manager requires little or no supervision and works with all of the key stakeholders within Leach as well as directly with the customer. They will manage complex systems integration activities, and will be the program focal point for all aspects of the programs development and success. The Program Manager will manage complex challenges, be a key decision maker and be the ultimate owner of his or her programs.
Primary Responsibilities
Serve as the primary communication focal for the customer, ensuring consistent follow-ups, status reviews, and clear, timely correspondence.
Lead all aspects of Customer Management, fostering strong relationships and ensuring alignment on technical, schedule, and commercial expectations.
Develop, maintain, and execute comprehensive program plans that define scope, schedules, milestones, priorities, risks, and cross-functional team responsibilities.
Ensure product quality, reliability, and manufacturability meet or exceed customer requirements and internal standards throughout the program lifecycle.
Manage the full program budget, including product life-cycle cost, financial performance, and evaluation of customer out-of-scope requests.
Own and drive the New Product Introduction (NPI) process, collaborating with internal functional teams and external customers to ensure successful execution, including technical guidance to engineering.
Lead the preparation, facilitation, and documentation of program reviews, technical coordination meetings, and design reviews.
Ensure all program deliverables, SOW, qualification activities, and SDRLs are clearly defined, coordinated, and completed on schedule.
Maintain full responsibility for program management review for P&L, including budgets, actuals, forecasts, and ETC.
Uphold the highest ethical standards and integrity, even when challenged by competing priorities.
Demonstrate strong self-motivation, organization, attention to detail, and the ability to perform effectively under pressure.
Communicate clearly and professionally across all levels of the organization and with external stakeholders.
Maintain and expand professional and technical knowledge by attending workshops, reviewing industry publications, building networks, and benchmarking best practices.
Actively contribute to Business Unit objectives by delivering results that support operational, financial, and strategic goals.
Work collaboratively across a cross-functional environment, partnering with management, engineering, production, supply chain, and quality teams.
Actively participate in and support the Quality Improvement System, driving continuous improvement initiatives.
Perform additional duties as required to support program and business success.
Basic Qualifications
3-5 years of experience in project or program management, including leadership of cross-functional technical teams in a fast-paced engineering environment.
Bachelor's degree in Engineering or equivalent technical experience; advanced technical or business education is a plus.
Demonstrated success managing commercial and military aerospace development programs, from concept through qualification and production.
Working knowledge of military specifications, standards, and contract structures, with the ability to interpret and apply requirements.
Familiarity with the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) and related government contracting practices.
Proficiency in Microsoft Project for schedule development, critical path analysis, and integrated program planning.
Strong command of English operational and contractual language, both written and verbal, with the ability to produce clear, concise, and technically accurate communication.
Exceptional analytical, verbal, written, and interpersonal skills, with the ability to interface effectively with customers, suppliers, and all levels of internal management.
Demonstrated strategic leadership capability, including decision-making, risk management, and long-range planning.
Strong presentation and briefing skills, capable of delivering clear, compelling updates to customers and executive leadership.
Ability and willingness to travel as required to support customer meetings, program reviews, and supplier engagements.
Must be authorized to work in the U.S. To conform to U.S. Export Control Regulations, applicant should be eligible for any required authorization from the U.S. Government.
