F35 GPS Sensor Sr Production Program Manager (Onsite)

RTX•El Segundo, CA

7d•Onsite

About The Position

The Senior Production Program Manager provides strategic leadership and execution oversight for a portfolio of complex aerospace and defense production programs. The role leads multiple concurrent production lots for a GPS Sensor Line Replaceable Unit (LRU) system manufactured by an external subcontractor, with accountability for program cost, schedule, technical performance, quality, and delivery. This is an onsite position at the company’s El Segundo, California facility, with travel to subcontractor facilities, customer locations, and other company sites as program needs require. The manager defines program strategy, aligns cross-functional teams, manages financial and execution performance, oversees external manufacturing partners, and drives production continuity and improvement. The role also supports proposals, follow-on production awards, production rate changes, and long-term business strategies, while engaging customers, suppliers, and senior leadership on program performance and critical issues. U.S. citizenship and an active, existing Secret security clearance are required.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree and a minimum of 10 years of experience, or an advanced degree and a minimum of 7 years of experience.
At least 5 years of program or project leadership experience in aerospace, defense, or another complex, highly regulated manufacturing environment.
Experience managing complex production programs, multiple production lots, or portfolios with interdependent cost, schedule, technical, and delivery commitments.
Experience overseeing external manufacturing partners, major subcontractors, or critical suppliers with accountability for production performance.
Working knowledge of production planning, integrated schedules, manufacturing readiness, material constraints, quality management, and supplier performance.
Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. government-issued Secret security clearance; U.S. citizenship is required.
Active and existing security clearance required after day 1.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree in Engineering, Business Administration (MBA), Engineering Management, or a related discipline.
12 or more years of aerospace and defense industry experience, including leadership of complex production programs or product portfolios.
Experience with Department of Defense production contracts and prime contractor relationships.
Direct experience managing subcontracted production of electronic LRUs, avionics, mission systems, embedded electronics, or similarly complex electromechanical products.
Experience managing overlapping production lots, multi-year production commitments, production rate increases, and transitions between contractual production baselines.
Familiarity with Firm-Fixed-Price (FFP) and other defense contract types.
Knowledge of Earned Value Management (EVM), Integrated Master Schedules (IMS), Control Account Management (CAM), and formal program performance measurement.
Familiarity with FAR/DFARS requirements, defense contracting practices, and subcontractor performance management.
Experience governing Technical Data Packages, configuration management, engineering changes, product acceptance requirements, and manufacturing readiness.
Knowledge of aerospace quality systems such as AS9100, supplier quality management, root cause and corrective action (RCCA), and production test and acceptance processes.
Experience developing and executing supplier recovery strategies, production acceleration plans, and manufacturing capacity improvements.
Experience with enterprise resource planning (ERP), manufacturing resource planning (MRP), and program performance reporting systems.

Responsibilities

Define program strategy, establish priorities, and align cross-functional teams to achieve program objectives.
Oversee complex production program execution, including interdependent cost, schedule, technical, and delivery commitments.
Manage program financial performance, including budgets, cost forecasting, Estimates at Completion (EACs), variance management, and financial risk assessment.
Lead multidisciplinary teams in a matrixed environment and influence outcomes without direct supervisory authority.
Drive production continuity, delivery predictability, and operational resilience across current and future production requirements.
Lead continuous improvement initiatives to strengthen product quality, manufacturing predictability, and production efficiency.
Oversee external manufacturing partners, major subcontractors, or critical suppliers and ensure production performance and delivery.
Identify program risks, develop mitigation and recovery strategies, and lead cross-functional resolution of complex execution challenges.
Support proposals, follow-on production awards, production rate changes, and business strategies that strengthen long-term program performance.
Engage customers, suppliers, and senior leadership on program performance, priorities, and critical business issues.
Travel to subcontractor facilities, customer locations, and other company sites as program needs require.

Benefits

Medical, dental, and vision insurance
Three weeks of vacation for newly hired employees
401(k) plan with employer matching funds and a separate employer retirement contribution
Tuition reimbursement program
Student Loan Repayment Program
Life insurance and disability coverage
Optional pet insurance
Optional home and auto insurance
Optional additional life and accident insurance
Optional critical illness insurance
Optional group legal coverage
Optional identity theft protection
Birth, adoption, and parental leave benefits
Fertility and family planning benefits
Adoption assistance
Employee Assistance Plan, including up to 10 free counseling sessions
Wellness rewards program
Virtual doctor visits
Child and elder care services
Second-opinion medical expert service
Flexible spending accounts
Flexible work schedules
Paid time off and holidays
Annual short-term and/or long-term incentive compensation may be available depending on position level and collective-bargaining coverage.