Senior Program ManagerAerpspace & Defense ProgramsOn-site in Chandler, AZTarget salary range: $104,300 - $193,700
We are hiring a
Senior Program Manager to lead complex, high-value
aerospace and defense programs supporting major customers and mission-critical applications. This customer-facing role is responsible for
program execution, ETC/EAC forecasting, financial performance, contract negotiations, proposal and pricing activities, program risk, customer relationships, and cross-functional leadership, including management of multiple programs and large-scale portfolios exceeding $100M in annual revenue.
This role partners with Engineering, Manufacturing, Contracts, Procurement, Finance, Quality, Strategic Sourcing, and Business Development to achieve contractual requirements, schedules, budgets, and customer commitments. The Senior Program Manager will also maintain regular engagement with manufacturing operations, identify business growth opportunities, and mentor less experienced Program Managers.
Responsibilities:- Lead execution of assigned aerospace and defense programs, serving as the primary customer-facing program representative.
- Manage multiple complex programs simultaneously, including large-scale programs exceeding $100M in annual revenue.
- Own program financial performance, including Estimate to Complete (ETC), Estimate at Completion (EAC), forecasting, margins, budgets, and overall program execution.
- Lead customer communications, contract negotiations, proposal activities, pricing discussions, and resolution of program execution challenges.
- Ensure contractual requirements, schedules, budgets, deliverables, and customer commitments are achieved.
- Lead proposal development, including management and cost volume preparation, pricing recommendations, and bid/no-bid assessments.
- Generate and release program work authorization documentation defining scope, schedules, budgets, contractual requirements, and deliverables.
- Develop and maintain sales and order forecasts for assigned programs.
- Assess Voice of Customer (VOC) feedback and develop strategies to expand business opportunities with existing and prospective customers.
- Identify and manage program risks, changing priorities, customer expectations, and execution constraints.
- Prepare and present program reviews, customer updates, financial performance information, and executive-level presentations.
- Lead cross-functional coordination across Engineering, Manufacturing, Contracts, Procurement, Finance, Quality, Strategic Sourcing, and Business Development.
- Drive internal accountability and execution to achieve program milestones and customer commitments.
- Maintain regular operational engagement with production and manufacturing teams to support program execution.
- Mentor less experienced Program Managers on customer management and program execution best practices.
- Travel as required to support customer, program, and business needs.
Qualifications:- U.S. Citizenship is required by Federal Law
- Bachelor's degree in Business, Engineering, or a related field.
- 6-10+ years of Program Management experience within aerospace, defense, semiconductor, or another complex technical manufacturing environment.
- Experience managing multiple complex programs simultaneously in fast-paced environments.
- Demonstrated customer-facing experience managing external customers and high-visibility relationships.
- Strong financial management experience, including ETC/EAC forecasting, margins, budgets, and program financial performance.
- Experience supporting proposal development, pricing activities, and contract negotiations.
- Experience managing program risk, customer expectations, competing priorities, and changing program requirements.
- Demonstrated ability to drive accountability and execution across Engineering, Manufacturing, Finance, Contracts, Quality, Supply Chain, and other cross-functional organizations.
- Ability to maintain regular operational engagement with production and manufacturing teams.
- Ability to travel as required to support customer, program, and business needs.
Preferred Qualifications:- Aerospace and defense program management experience; relevant experience from adjacent complex technical industries may also be considered.
- Working knowledge of Lean Manufacturing and Six Sigma methodologies.
- Lean Six Sigma Green Belt certification.
- Experience with enterprise ERP systems such as Oracle, SAP, or similar platforms
