Program Manager

The Opportunity: Our client supplies composite and textile reinforced components to the aerospace and defense industry. They are creating a newly defined Program Manager role to bring structure, formal process, and dedicated coordination to a program portfolio that has, to date, been managed almost entirely through the hands-on expertise of one overloaded senior leader. This is a rare chance to build a program management function largely from scratch — designing the tools, cadence, and cross-functional communication processes that don't yet exist — while training directly under that leader for the first six months and taking on progressively larger projects toward full autonomy within a year.

Key Responsibilities: Serve as the primary coordination point across engineering, planning, sales, and quality for assigned programs. Design and implement formal program management processes and tools to replace informal, ad hoc tracking methods. Manage multiple simultaneous projects of varying size and duration, including multi-year programs. Ensure timely, accurate communication of customer expectations and internal changes to all stakeholders. Support compliance with quality and planning requirements across program milestones. Partner closely with a senior technical mentor during an initial ramp period, then operate with increasing independence. Help memorialize workflows and communication practices to support organizational scaling.

Candidate Profile: 3–5 years of experience in engineering or technical program/project coordination, ideally with exposure to complex, multi-disciplinary projects. Background in mechanical, materials, aerospace, or textile engineering; some design engineering experience preferred. Demonstrated ability to influence and coordinate cross-functional teams without formal authority. Strong interpersonal and collaborative skills — this role requires working well with others as much as technical competence. Comfortable operating with limited formal process today and motivated to help build that process. Proactive, autonomous, and results-driven, with the confidence to push objectives forward independently.