Technical Program Manager

Laborup•Nashville, TN

2d•$90,000 - $110,000

About The Position

We're hiring a Technical Program Manager for our aerospace and defense contract manufacturing company. We're a low-volume manufacturer building complex machined, welded, and fabricated assemblies for aerospace and defense applications. Customers rarely send us a finished plan. They send an RFQ, a drawing, or a requirement, and we figure out what to build, how to build it, what it costs, and whether it's profitable. In this role, you'll own both sides of the job from the business side (quoting, margin, schedule, customer relationships, developing two junior program managers) and the engineering side (reading drawings, challenging cost and manufacturing assumptions, solving problems on the shop floor). You'll report to senior leadership and have a meaningful seat at the table from day one. This role is built to grow into a senior leadership position.

Requirements

5–10 years in program management, project engineering, or manufacturing
Ability to read engineering drawings and BOMs
Working knowledge of machining, welding, and fabrication
Understanding of manufacturing cost drivers and margin
Bachelor's degree or equivalent technical experience
Strong written and verbal communication skills
Able to work unsupervised and take initiative
Proficient in Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint

Nice To Haves

Engineering degree (strongly preferred)
PMP certification
Aerospace and defense industry experience
Experience in an AS9100 environment
Familiarity with government cost standards and contracting
ERP and material planning software experience
Cost accounting experience
Experience mentoring junior engineers or program managers

Responsibilities

RFQ breakdown: Dissect customer RFQs; find what's missing, unclear, or risky.
Quoting: Build and pressure-test cost estimates before the company commits.
Program execution: Own scope, schedule, cost, and margin from quote through delivery.
Customer contact: Serve as primary point of contact for program meetings and inquiries.
Financials: Develop cash flow projections and cost estimates with team input.
Reporting: Deliver weekly status on schedule, budget, risks, and mitigation plans.
Problem-solving: Work technical and production issues directly, on the floor.
Cross-functional leadership: Lead engineering, quality, production, and suppliers without direct authority.
Mentoring: Develop two junior program managers into independent program owners.
Contracts: Assist with contract negotiation, administration, and sales inquiries.