Aerospace Program Manager (Manufacturing)

Position Title: Program Manager

Position Description: Protingent has an exciting direct hire opportunity with our client in Elyria, OH for a Program Manager to work onsite in Elyria, OH.

Job Description:

• Our client is seeking a Program Manager to provide leadership and strategic management across cross-functional business, technical, and operations teams, assuming full accountability for the overall success of assigned product development programs. Located at our client's historic Elyria facility—a site known for excellence in aircraft pumping technology and custom thermal management solutions—you will guide programs from customer proposal and inception through qualification testing, certification, and full transition into production.
• Success in this role is measured by customer satisfaction, achievement of schedule milestones, and strict adherence to recurring and non-recurring cost targets.

Job Responsibilities:

• Proposal Review & Bid Leadership: Review and evaluate technical and business aspects of customer RFPs and change requests; lead internal bid packages, statements of work (SOW), engineering cost estimates, and program schedules.
• Program Planning & IPT Leadership: Create, monitor, and maintain detailed program plans; lead cross-functional Integrated Product Teams (IPT) across engineering, operations, and supply chain to ensure product designs meet cost targets and manufacturability requirements.
• Scope & Change Management: Proactively manage project scope to ensure deliverables strictly match contractual agreements; enforce standardized change management processes for all scope modifications.
• Cost & Schedule Management: Monitor and control non-recurring engineering (NRE) costs during design/development; maintain focus on design-to-cost (DTC) targets for recurring unit costs; establish and maintain resource-loaded program schedules in MS Project.
• Risk & Issue Mitigation: Identify, track, and mitigate technical, schedule, and financial risks through standardized risk management and issue resolution frameworks.
• Transition to Production: Facilitate orderly handoffs from engineering design and development to full-scale manufacturing via formal Production Readiness Reviews (PRR).
• Customer Coordination & Progress Metrics: Maintain positive working relationships with customer counterparts through regular program status reviews; establish and present key program performance metrics to internal executive leadership and external stakeholders.

Job Qualifications:

• Education: Bachelor's degree in Engineering or a related technical discipline.
• Experience: 5+ years of experience in Program Management or technical project management, preferably within aerospace, automotive, or medical device industries.
• Technical & Program Proficiency: Expert knowledge of program management methodologies and philosophies; sufficient technical aptitude to understand design, development, and manufacturing processes for complex mechanical/electrical systems; proficiency in Microsoft Project and MS Office suite.
• Leadership & Business Acumen: Strong demonstrated skills in IPT leadership, business acumen, scope control, decision-making, and risk management.

Preferred Job Qualifications:

• Prior direct experience in aerospace product development, qualification, and certification processes.
• Master of Business Administration (MBA) or advanced management degree.
• PMI PMP certification or formal training in Program/Systems Management.

Job Details:

• Job Type: Direct Hire
• Salary Rate Range: $110K-$150K
• Location: Elyria, OH
• An offer of employment is contingent on successfully passing a drug test and background check.
• ITAR obligations are associated with this role, U.S. citizenship, U.S. legal permanent resident status, or protected person status under 8 U.S.C. § 1324b(a) (1), (3) is required.

About Protingent: Protingent is an Award-Winning provider of top-tier Engineering and IT talent, trusted by companies at the forefront of innovation — from Software and Aerospace to AI, Clean Tech, Medical Devices, and Connected Technologies. We’re passionate about making a positive impact by connecting exceptional talent with meaningful opportunities and helping our clients build the future.