Program Manager

Job Title: Program Manager

Job Description

This Program Manager role focuses on leading complex engineering and product development programs from concept through commercialization within a multidisciplinary technology environment. The position serves as the primary liaison between customers, engineering leadership, and project teams, ensuring alignment on objectives, clear communication, and successful delivery of high-impact solutions. You will oversee multiple concurrent development efforts across domains such as mechanical engineering, electrical systems, embedded software, controls, battery technology, automation, and manufacturing integration, while proactively managing risks, timelines, and stakeholder expectations.

Responsibilities

• Lead cross-functional engineering programs spanning mechanical, electrical, embedded software, controls, battery systems, manufacturing, automation, and validation disciplines.
• Establish comprehensive program roadmaps, execution strategies, schedules, resource plans, and technical milestones that guide teams from concept through commercialization.
• Manage program scope, cost, timing, risks, dependencies, and customer deliverables to ensure projects remain on track and aligned with agreed objectives.
• Coordinate activities across engineering teams to maintain alignment, resolve dependencies, and drive effective execution against project goals.
• Facilitate technical reviews, design reviews, phase-gate assessments, customer meetings, and executive status updates to ensure transparency and informed decision-making.
• Develop and maintain program reporting tools that provide clear visibility into schedules, risks, milestones, and overall program health.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for customers throughout the program lifecycle, ensuring their needs and expectations are understood and addressed.
• Translate customer requirements into executable engineering workstreams and actionable plans for cross-functional teams.
• Manage stakeholder expectations and proactively communicate risks, tradeoffs, and mitigation plans to customers and internal leadership.
• Build strong, collaborative relationships with customers, suppliers, and internal stakeholders to support program success and long-term partnerships.
• Support proposal discussions, project planning activities, and customer presentations as needed, contributing to the growth and expansion of engineering services.
• Lead cross-functional teams through ambiguity and changing priorities, providing clear direction and maintaining focus on key milestones and deliverables.

Essential Skills

• Bachelor"s degree in Engineering, Engineering Management, Business, or a related technical field.
• 5+ years of experience in Program Management, Technical Program Management, Engineering Management, or Product Development leadership.
• Proven experience leading complex multidisciplinary engineering programs.
• Strong understanding of product development lifecycles, engineering processes, and commercialization activities.
• Experience managing schedules, budgets, resource plans, and executive-level reporting for technical programs.
• Demonstrated success leading cross-functional teams through ambiguity and changing priorities.
• Excellent communication skills with the ability to effectively manage stakeholders and work in customer-facing roles.
• Experience utilizing project and program management tools such as Jira, Azure DevOps, Microsoft Project, Smartsheet, or equivalent systems.
• Solid program management and project management capabilities in an engineering context.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience in product development consulting or engineering services environments.
• supporting hardware, software, embedded systems, automation, controls, battery technologies, or connected products.
• PMP certification or equivalent program management credentials.
• Familiarity with Agile, Scrum, Hybrid, or Stage-Gate product development methodologies.
• Exposure to manufacturing, prototype development, new product introduction (NPI), or product commercialization.
• Strong stakeholder management and relationship-building abilities with customers and suppliers.
• Ability to support proposal development, project planning, and customer presentations in a technical consulting setting.

Work Environment

The work environment centers on engineering and product development consulting, supporting customers across mobility, industrial automation, energy storage, connected systems, and advanced manufacturing. You will collaborate closely with multidisciplinary teams that bring together mechanical engineering, electrical systems, embedded software, controls, battery technology, IoT, rapid prototyping, testing, and manufacturing integration. Programs are managed using modern project and program management tools such as Jira, Azure DevOps, Microsoft Project, and Smartsheet, with a strong emphasis on structured product development lifecycles and commercialization activities. The role involves regular interaction with customers, suppliers, and internal stakeholders, frequent technical and design reviews, and executive-level reporting, within a professional, technology-driven consulting environment.

Job Type & Location

This is a Permanent position based out of Ann Arbor, MI.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $45.00 - $60.00/hr.

Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following: • Medical, dental & vision • Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital • 401(k) Retirement Plan - Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available • Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents) • Short and long-term disability • Health Spending Account (HSA) • Transportation benefits • Employee Assistance Program • Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)

Workplace Type

This is a fully onsite position in Ann Arbor,MI.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Jul 31, 2026.

About Actalent

Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 20,000 consultants and 5,000 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be an Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm for our engineering design services and a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing winner for both client and talent service.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email actalentaccommodation@actalentservices.com for other accommodation options.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI): We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.