Defense Vehicle Program Manager

Ford Motor • Dearborn, MI

16h • Hybrid

About The Position

In this position, you will lead and mentor a high-performing program management team, driving key processes and ensuring on-time delivery as we bring Ford's world-class commercial solutions to tactical defense applications. We are seeking a program leader with proven defense sector or defense/military ground vehicle program experience to serve as a key advisor to the Chief Program Engineer (CPE), navigating the complexities of global product development within a highly regulated defense environment. This critical role is essential to the success of our product development lifecycle as we bring Ford's world-class commercial solutions to tactical defense applications. As Program Manager, you will lead and develop a team, manage resources effectively, and ensure the seamless execution of complex, global defense and defense-adjacent ground vehicle programs. Working directly with the Chief Program Engineer (CPE), you will provide strategic guidance and support while driving cross-functional collaboration and influencing key decisions as we build out this incubating business. Given the unique regulatory, contractual, and technical demands of defense programs, candidates should bring direct experience with DoD acquisition, government contracting, and/or defense/military ground vehicle development. This requires a high degree of collaboration, strong decision-making skills, and the ability to thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic environment shaped by government and defense industry requirements.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree required (Engineering, Business Administration, or related technical/business field preferred).
• Demonstrated experience in the defense sector and/or defense ground vehicle programs — this may include military/tactical vehicle development, DoD acquisition programs, defense contracting, or comparable government/defense platform experience.
• Demonstrated program or project management leadership of complex, cross-functional initiatives, including experience partnering closely with senior technical leaders (e.g., Chief Engineers)
• Working knowledge of the defense sector, spanning DoD acquisition processes, business development, portfolio planning, engineering, manufacturing, finance, purchasing, and supply chain.
• Familiarity with defense compliance and regulatory frameworks (e.g., ITAR, CUI, export control, DFARS) as they apply to program management.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including delivery of executive-level briefings to internal leadership and government/industry customers, and the ability to build immediate trust and rapport with a technical counterpart.
• Strong business acumen with demonstrated ownership of program financial outcomes, including budgets, forecasts, and profitability management within government or defense contract structures.
• Demonstrated resilience and sound judgment in high-pressure, time-sensitive environments.
• Proven track record leading and developing high-performing, cross-functional teams across a global organization.

Nice To Haves

• Master's degree in Engineering or MBA.
• Direct hands-on experience with special-purpose, armored, tactical, or military ground vehicle programs, or other offerings that blend government and commercial vehicle requirements.
• A background leading defense or military vehicle programs, particularly those adapting commercial truck platforms for government or military use.
• Hands-on experience with automotive design and release processes in a defense or government vehicle context.
• Solid grasp of Ford's Global Product Development System (GPDS) or a comparable gated development framework.

Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end execution of the program from capture through delivery and sustainment using established gated processes.
• Own program imperatives (scope, schedule, cost, resources, risk, quality) and establish standard operating mechanisms (integrated master schedule, risk register, financial reviews, issue dashboards).
• Champion and continuously improve program processes, ensuring adherence to gated program cadences and governance reviews consistent with defense industry standards.
• Lead program decision forums with the CPE, clear scope, schedule, cost decisions and accountability for closure.
• Drive launch and quality disciplines to ensure on-time, on-cost delivery.
• Partner with the CPE to identify, quantify, and mitigate program risks and issues — technical and business alike — developing contingency plans and gap-closure actions with clear owners and dates.
• Integrate supporting functional processes (engineering release, sourcing, validation, manufacturing readiness, quality, sustainment) into a coherent plan that reflects defense program requirements and constraints.
• Serve alongside the CPE as a primary interface to government and defense industry partners, leading day-to-day interactions and formal program reviews with military/DoD stakeholders.
• Represent the program in business development and capture activities, including shaping requirements, proposal content, cost estimates, and execution plans in coordination with the CPE.
• Foster, jointly with the CPE, a culture of safety, defense-specific compliance (including CUI/ITAR/export control), integrity, and continuous improvement, while balancing government/customer priorities with Ford's broader business objectives in a changing mission and technology environment.
• Directly lead, mentor, and develop program management staff, while jointly partnering with the cross-functional teams (engineering, manufacturing, quality, supply chain, contracts, finance, and business development) to ensure seamless program execution and alignment across defense-oriented programs.

Benefits

• Immediate medical, dental, vision and prescription drug coverage
• Flexible family care days, paid parental leave, new parent ramp-up programs, subsidized back-up child care and more
• Family building benefits including adoption and surrogacy expense reimbursement, fertility treatments, and more
• Vehicle discount program for employees and family members and management leases
• Tuition assistance
• Established and active employee resource groups
• Paid time off for individual and team community service
• A generous schedule of paid holidays, including the week between Christmas and New Year’s Day
• Paid time off and the option to purchase additional vacation time.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager