Program Manager - Defense & Mission Systems

Gonzalez Group•Pontiac, MI

4d•Onsite

About The Position

The Program Manager - Defense & Mission Systems is responsible for the successful execution and overall performance of strategic customer programs from contract award through final customer acceptance and project closeout. Serving as the primary customer interface, this role has full accountability for program execution, financial performance, schedule, quality, risk management, and cross-functional leadership while ensuring compliance with contractual, regulatory, and customer-specific requirements. The Program Manager leads integrated teams across Engineering, Manufacturing, Supply Chain, Quality, Controls Engineering, Field Service, and Operations to deliver complex defense, aerospace, automation, and mission-critical manufacturing solutions supporting national security and advanced technology programs.

Requirements

7+ years of program or project management experience required
Ability to interpret engineering drawings, specifications, and manufacturing documentation.
Experience with ERP systems such as Accumatica, Epicor, Oracle, or similar.
Proficiency with Microsoft Project, Smartsheet, or equivalent scheduling tools.
Strong leadership, communication, negotiation, customer relationship, and organizational skills.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Business, Project Management, or a related discipline is preferred. Candidates with equivalent knowledge, skills, technical training, military service, certifications, and directly applicable experience are encouraged to apply.
10+ years preferred in defense, aerospace, automation, or advanced manufacturing.
Experience managing complex DoD/DoW, aerospace, or high-complexity manufacturing programs.
Knowledge of FAR/DFARS contracting environments and government flow-down requirements.
Working knowledge of AS9100, ITAR, EAR, DFARS, NIST SP 800-171, and CMMC.
Experience with AGVs, AMRs, robotics, MES, SCADA, industrial automation, or factory integration preferred.
PMP certification preferred.
DoD/DoW and/or Prime Contractor program experience preferred.
Former military service preferred (active duty, reserve, guard, or civilian support).

Responsibilities

Manage the full program lifecycle from contract award through customer acceptance and project closeout.
Serve as the primary customer interface, building trusted relationships and leading program reviews, executive meetings, and technical discussions.
Lead transition from Sales/Estimating to Program Execution to ensure complete contract understanding and a successful kickoff.
Own program financial performance including revenue, gross margin, forecasting, cost-to-complete, cash flow, and approved change management.
Develop and maintain integrated program schedules, budgets, manpower plans, procurement strategies, and resource allocations.
Coordinate Engineering, Manufacturing, Supply Chain, Controls Engineering, Quality, Field Service, Installation, and Operations to meet program objectives.
Manage contract requirements, statements of work, technical deliverables, assumptions, exclusions, and customer-directed changes.
Develop and maintain program risk registers and mitigation plans addressing technical, schedule, supplier, commercial, quality, and customer risks.
Monitor supplier performance, long-lead materials, and critical procurement activities.
Lead executive program reviews and provide KPI, schedule, financial, and risk reporting.
Support design reviews, manufacturing readiness reviews, FAT, SAT, first article activities, and customer acceptance events.
Ensure compliance with AS9100, ITAR, EAR, DFARS, NIST SP 800-171, and CMMC, and customer-specific requirements.
Provide leadership, coaching, and accountability across cross-functional teams.
Perform other related duties as assigned.