Manager - Advanced Programs

Fiber Materials•Biddeford, ME

About The Position

FMI is seeking a proactive Manager of Advanced Programs to build and improve the processes, systems, and culture that enable Integrated Product Teams (IPTs) to operate with excellence, technical rigor, and pace. The role applies a systems mindset to promote cross-functional alignment and deliver advanced materials and structures projects across the full product lifecycle. The manager is expected to communicate effectively, continually improve, uphold customer and company commitments, and act with integrity. FMI’s Maine manufacturing facility develops high-temperature materials and composites, including multidirectional reinforced Carbon/Carbon (C/C) and Ceramic Matrix Composites (CMCs), for defense, aerospace, and other demanding applications. The Manager of Advanced Programs is responsible for the R&T project portfolio’s financial, schedule, and technical performance, and for developing IPT Leads and a strong project management culture. The position also supports customer reviews, proposals, revenue forecasting, headcount planning, technical documentation, and intellectual property capture.

Requirements

15+ years of progressively complex technical and leadership experience in an advanced manufacturing, prototyping, or development engineering environment.
5+ years of leadership experience managing Technical Project Managers, IPTs, and/or a Project Management Office (PMO), including hiring, managing, and developing talent.
Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously and ensure appropriate time-phasing of deliverables and alignment with strategic business objectives.
PMP, PgMP, PMI-ACP, or equivalent certification.
Working knowledge of APQP, NPI, and T/MRL advancement.
Demonstrated success maturing advanced product technologies in a manufacturing environment.
Command of project management fundamentals and ability to mentor and teach, including IMP/IMS generation, requirements management, tasking, WBS development, risk management, cost/schedule integration, EVMS concepts and reporting, and customer management.
Practical knowledge of Verification & Validation processes and structure.
Demonstrated experience with IPT structures and matrix organizations.
Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to communicate, motivate, influence, and deliver across organizational disciplines and levels, from the shop floor to management reviews.
Ability to build trust, drive alignment, and hold teams accountable.
U.S. citizenship and ability to obtain and maintain a Security Clearance.

Nice To Haves

Advanced degree focused on Systems, Mechanical, Materials, or Manufacturing Engineering, or Engineering/Program Management with an emphasis on Technology Development and New Product Introduction.
Deep experience with Department of War (DoW) programs, including T/MRL advancement of advanced materials-based manufacturing and flight vehicle applications, and high-temperature carbon and ceramic composites.
Experience building a new PMO or transforming an existing one.
Active Secret Security Clearance.

Responsibilities

Establish and continually improve R&T project management frameworks, standards, and governance.
Drive a consistent operating rhythm across projects, including IPT meetings, risk and gate reviews, and technical and financial reporting.
Monitor portfolio health, risks, resource loading, and cross-program dependencies, ensuring timely escalation and resolution.
Drive a common standard among individual projects.
Own portfolio financials, schedule, and technical performance.
Hire, manage, develop, and mentor IPT Leads and build a strong project management culture.
Build, maintain, and enforce integrated schedules, WBS structures, and cost/schedule baselines; own the R&T Integrated Master Schedule (IMS).
Develop dashboards and execution metrics to provide leadership with real-time visibility.
Ensure IPTs operate effectively with clear charters, RACIs, communication paths, and integration with functional teams.
Align processes with FMI’s Quality Management System (QMS) and customer program requirements.
Participate in analysis of contractual deliverables and ensure project charters and engineering requirements are created to support Verification & Validation planning.
Lead key customer reviews, both virtual and in person.
Participate in generating and managing the R&T annual revenue forecast and headcount plan.
Support proposal planning, estimating, and writing.
Ensure project technical data is documented, stored, and shared properly.
Promote the generation and capture of intellectual property.
Cultivate continuous process improvement and participate in major initiatives.
Foster values-driven execution through clarity, transparency, urgency, cross-functional collaboration, technical excellence, and ownership.