Program Manager - Defense - Hampton, NH

The Program Manager is responsible for developing executable program strategies that align customer requirements with operational capabilities, technical performance objectives, cost targets, and schedule commitments. Acting as the critical link between business development and program execution, this role ensures every proposal is grounded in realistic planning, risk mitigation, and organisational readiness.

Client Details

Our client is a leading designer and manufacturer of highly engineered products used in some of the world's most demanding and technically complex environments. Their solutions support critical applications where reliability, performance, and precision are essential to mission success. Operating within a highly regulated industry, the organization has built a strong reputation for innovation, operational excellence, and delivering advanced technologies to a diverse global customer base.

The company fosters a collaborative environment where engineering, manufacturing, operations, and commercial teams work closely together to solve complex challenges and drive continuous improvement. Employees benefit from exposure to cutting-edge technologies, meaningful customer programs, and opportunities to contribute directly to products and solutions that have a significant impact on critical industries. With continued investment in growth, talent development, and operational capability, the organization provides a dynamic and rewarding environment for ambitious professionals looking to advance their careers.

Description

This role requires a highly collaborative and commercially minded leader capable of influencing stakeholders, facilitating risk-based decision making, and translating complex customer requirements into actionable program strategies. The individual will also be responsible for driving continuous improvement initiatives that strengthen proposal planning processes and improve execution performance across the organisation.

• Lead proposal planning efforts from opportunity assessment through final submission, ensuring all functional deliverables are completed, aligned, and incorporated into executable program plans.
• Develop and validate resource-loaded schedules, manufacturing strategies, execution assumptions, resource requirements, and operational readiness plans for new business opportunities.
• Facilitate cross-functional collaboration across Engineering, Operations, Manufacturing, Quality, Supply Chain, Finance, and Business Development to ensure proposal commitments reflect organisational capabilities.
• Drive risk identification, mitigation planning, and execution feasibility assessments covering technical, operational, schedule, staffing, and supply chain considerations.
• Support strategic bid/no-bid decisions through detailed evaluation of customer requirements, program risks, commercial objectives, and execution constraints.
• Champion continuous improvement initiatives by analyzing program outcomes, capturing lessons learned, and enhancing proposal planning methodologies, governance processes, and execution readiness standards.

Profile

This individual will combine strategic thinking, commercial awareness, and technical understanding to drive successful business capture efforts while ensuring programs can be delivered efficiently and profitably. They will thrive in fast-paced environments, demonstrate strong leadership capabilities, and bring a disciplined approach to program planning, scheduling, and risk management.

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Business, Operations, Program Management, or a related discipline, with significant relevant industry experience.
• Proven experience leading cross-functional proposal development, program planning, business capture, or execution readiness activities.
• Strong understanding of program scheduling, resource planning, cost estimating, risk management, and operational readiness assessments.
• Demonstrated success working within aerospace, defense, advanced manufacturing, or other highly regulated technical environments.
• Exceptional communication, presentation, stakeholder management, and relationship-building skills across all organisational levels.
• Ability to balance strategic business objectives with detailed execution planning while driving alignment among diverse teams and competing priorities.

Job Offer

The successful candidate will enjoy a highly supportive culture that values professional development, technical excellence, and leadership growth. In addition to a comprehensive rewards package, the organization is committed to investing in its employees through continuous learning opportunities, career progression pathways, and exposure to challenging, meaningful work.

• Competitive compensation package with performance-driven career advancement opportunities.
• Immediate access to comprehensive medical, dental, vision, HSA, and FSA benefits.
• 401(k) programme with company match and immediate vesting.
• Flexible 9/80 work schedule providing enhanced work-life balance.
• Tuition reimbursement and student loan repayment assistance to support ongoing professional growth.
• Generous PTO allowance, paid holidays, and paid family leave programmes.
• Exposure to cutting-edge technologies, high-profile programmes, and mission-critical projects.
• Collaborative culture offering direct interaction with senior leadership and key decision-makers.
• Long-term career progression opportunities within a growing, technology-focused organisation.

MPI does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, marital status, or based on an individual's status in any group or class protected by applicable federal, state or local law. MPI encourages applications from minorities, women, the disabled, protected veterans and all other qualified applicants.