Aerospace Manufacturing Project Manager

Ascentec Engineering LLC•Dallas, OR

22h•$80,000 - $110,000•Onsite

About The Position

Ascentec Engineering is a rapidly growing precision manufacturing company specializing in high-quality products for world-class customers in aerospace, defense, and advanced technology markets. We pride ourselves on our commitment to customer focus, employee growth, trust & integrity, operational excellence, and acting like an owner. We are seeking an experienced Aerospace Manufacturing Project Manager to serve as the single point of accountability for project success and customer satisfaction. This dual-role position encompasses both program management (ongoing production volume work, customer account management, and supplier performance) and project management (new product introductions, capital projects, and manufacturing system implementations). This is a hands-on technical role requiring shop floor presence and direct interaction with production teams, engineering, quality personnel, and customers. Your core mission is straightforward: deliver projects on time, on budget, and to specifications while building lasting customer relationships and driving supplier performance. This position is onsite (not remote/not hybrid) at our Dallas, Oregon location and is not eligible for Visa sponsorship or transfer of Visa sponsorship.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Engineering (Mechanical, Manufacturing, Industrial, or related technical field) - Required
Minimum 5 years of project/program management experience in precision manufacturing of physical technical products (not software/IT projects)
Proven track record of managing projects with cross-functional teams in a manufacturing environment
Direct experience working on the shop floor and interfacing with production personnel, machinists, and quality technicians
Experience managing customer relationships and serving as primary customer contact
Ability to read and interpret technical drawings, blueprints, and engineering specifications including dimensions, tolerances, and geometric dimensioning & tolerancing (GD&T)
Hands-on understanding of manufacturing processes such as CNC machining, fabrication, assembly, or similar production operations
Experience with ERP systems in manufacturing context - Epicor strongly preferred; SAP, Oracle, JDE, or other manufacturing ERP acceptable
Knowledge of manufacturing BOMs, routing sheets, work instructions, and production documentation
Understanding of quality systems and manufacturing standards (ISO 9001, AS9100, or similar preferred)
Strong communication skills with ability to interface effectively with customers, suppliers, and internal teams at all levels
Applicant must be able to pass a drug screen and criminal background check prior to employment.
ITAR REQUIREMENTS: To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) you must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident of the U.S., protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State.

Nice To Haves

PMP (Project Management Professional) certification strongly preferred (or ability to obtain within 18 months of hire)
Lean Six Sigma Green Belt or Black Belt certification
Experience in aerospace, defense, semiconductor, or ITAR-regulated manufacturing environments
Familiarity with APQP, PPAP, First Article Inspection (FAI), SPC, or similar quality processes
Experience with manufacturing automation or advanced manufacturing technologies
Previous experience with Epicor ERP system
Background in CNC machining, sheet metal fabrication, or precision assembly operations

Responsibilities

Serve as the primary point of contact for assigned customer accounts, managing ongoing production programs and volume work
Monitor production schedules, capacity utilization, and delivery performance across active programs
Coordinate production priorities with manufacturing, scheduling, and quality teams to ensure on-time delivery
Track and report key program metrics including OTD, quality yield, and customer satisfaction scores
Manage engineering changes (ECO/ECN) and their impact on production schedules, tooling, and materials
Drive continuous improvement initiatives within assigned programs to improve efficiency and reduce costs
Develop and maintain production forecasts in coordination with customers and internal planning teams
Lead NPI projects from design review through production launch, coordinating cross-functional teams (engineering, manufacturing, quality, production)
Manage capital equipment and manufacturing system implementation projects
Develop and maintain project schedules, budgets, and resource plans using project management tools
Coordinate and lead project meetings to ensure clear communication of project statuses, milestones, and expectations across all stakeholders
Implement project management best practices aligned with PMBOK principles
Develop product configurations and manufacturing methods utilizing Epicor ERP system
Respond personally to customer communications within 4 hours – you are the primary customer contact
Build and maintain strong customer relationships that generate repeat business and referrals
Coordinate all customer communications – team members do not respond directly to customers without your involvement
Proactively communicate project/program status, issues, and recovery plans
Manage customer expectations and resolve conflicts between competing priorities
Personally drive resolution of supplier issues affecting your projects/programs – do not delegate to purchasing
Build direct relationships with key suppliers for effective problem-solving
Monitor supplier performance and implement corrective actions when required
Coordinate with purchasing on procurement strategies and supplier development
Target resolution of critical supplier issues within 72 hours
Identify, assess, and mitigate project/program risks proactively throughout the lifecycle
Develop contingency plans and alternative approaches when technical or production challenges arise
Track and report risks, issues, and dependencies to stakeholders
Manage scope changes through formal change control processes