Program Manager

Gentex Corp•Rancho Cucamonga, CA

7d•$115,000 - $145,000•Onsite

About The Position

The Program Manager is responsible for overall leadership, strategic planning, and operational execution of the Joint Service Aircrew Mask (JSAM) program at Gentex’s Rancho Cucamonga facility, along with related product development and production initiatives. The role serves as the primary point of contact for U.S. Department of Defense customer counterparts, prime contractors, and internal stakeholders. The Program Manager coordinates cross-functional work across engineering, operations, quality, and supply chain to meet program goals, quality standards, and technical requirements within established schedules and funding parameters. The role leads multidisciplinary teams delivering life-support and respiratory protection capabilities to military aircrews, while supporting program profitability, proactive risk mitigation, and contractual compliance.

Requirements

Minimum bachelor’s degree in an engineering or technical discipline.
At least five years of leadership experience; ten years preferred.
Previous program management experience on government programs, with familiarity with DFARs and contracting.
Technical, product development, and defense acquisition experience.
Knowledge of Cost Accounting Standards applicable to U.S. Government or other customers’ research and development contracts.
Knowledge of people management, particularly influence management and conflict resolution.
General knowledge of manufacturing operations, including scheduling, procurement, production, test engineering, and quality systems.
General knowledge of finance, including the ability to understand product income statements, return-on-investment analysis, and net-present-value analysis.
General knowledge of marketing, including market research, market sizing, pricing, marketing communications, and product launches.
Ability to analyze and question activities and issues across functional areas, make sound business decisions, and mitigate program risks using available data.
Ability to lead cross-functional teams and demonstrate leadership behaviors and company values in pursuit of program objectives.
Strong oral and written communication skills.
Strong attention to detail and follow-through.
Strong computer skills, particularly with Microsoft word processing, spreadsheet, database, scheduling (MS Project), and email applications.
Working knowledge of Department of Defense acquisition policies and regulations, Technology Readiness Levels (TRLs), and Manufacturing Readiness Levels (MRLs).
Working knowledge of ISO 9001, AS9100C, or equivalent quality standards and procedures.
Familiarity with Risk, Opportunity, and Issue (ROI) management disciplines.
Ability to interpret contractual obligations and communicate project goals and requirements.
Experience working in a staged/gated New Product Development (NPD) or New Product Integration (NPI) environment.

Nice To Haves

Experience as a second-level manager.
Experience in more than one of the following disciplines: New Product Development (NPD), Process Engineering, New Product Integration (NPI), and Government Program Management.

Responsibilities

Ensure products are developed to meet or exceed customer requirements in accordance with AS9100C standards and internal SOPs.
Lead Integrated Program Teams (IPTs) and facilitate communication and collaboration among functional representatives.
Track programs and projects against schedules, budgets, and phase-review objectives.
Report status regularly to the supervisor and as needed to executive staff.
Develop and implement recovery plans for schedule delays and unanticipated events.
Coordinate with customers to provide program status and obtain feedback.
Prepare for and conduct periodic customer design and program meetings in accordance with contractual and other program requirements.
Review, analyze, and interpret technical and administrative requirements in RFPs, RFQs, RFIs, IFBs, and similar documents to support preparation of formal responses.
Write, edit, and review management and technical proposal sections with cross-functional subject matter experts.
Participate in contract negotiations as required.