Program Manager
Fulton County, GA (On-Site)
About the job
A designer and manufacturer of world-class small turbojet engines that provide superior power-to-weight ratios with low fuel consumption — making them the preferred choice for advanced U.S. Department of Defense drone and missile systems. The company is standing up a new high-volume manufacturing facility and looking for highly talented personnel to grow with them.
We are seeking a highly driven and versatile Program Manager to lead and oversee programs for best-in-class small turbine engines. This is a hands-on leadership role that combines technical program leadership with cross-functional business oversight, spanning sustainment programs, new product development, and R&D initiatives. The role also plays a critical part in supporting business operations and facility expansion efforts.
Responsibilities
• Lead the planning, execution, and delivery of sustainment, development, and R&D programs across the turbine engine portfolio.
• Define and manage program scope, budgets, schedules, deliverables, and risks.
• Interface with engineering, manufacturing, quality, supply chain, and customer teams to ensure program success.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for government and commercial customers on assigned programs.
• Ensure compliance with applicable defense and aerospace regulations and customer contract requirements.
• Track earned value metrics and KPIs, and report regularly to executive leadership.
• Monitor lifecycle performance, warranty support, and component obsolescence strategies.
• Drive new product development programs from concept through prototyping, qualification, and production readiness.
• Support proposal development, SOW definition, and cost estimates for advanced technologies and future products.
• Support strategic planning, capacity analysis, and operations scaling to support production ramp-up and new program launches.
• Assist in managing site expansion including facility layout, capital equipment planning, and supplier and contractor oversight.
• Collaborate with finance, supply chain, HR, and IT to align operational infrastructure with business needs.
Qualifications
• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Business, or a related technical field.
• 7+ years of experience in aerospace or defense manufacturing, with 3+ years in program management roles.
• Hands-on experience with Earned Value Management (EVM), scheduling tools such as MS Project, and financial tracking systems.
• Proven experience managing complex development and/or sustainment programs with technical and operational components.
• Strong knowledge of the aerospace program lifecycle — design, prototyping, qualification, production, and sustainment.
• Familiarity with DoD/FAA program structures, contracting, and compliance including DFARS and ITAR.
• Demonstrated ability to lead cross-functional teams and manage multiple concurrent initiatives.
• Background in lean manufacturing, operations scaling, or facility startup.
• Excellent communication, negotiation, and problem-solving skills.
• Must be a U.S. citizen due to the defense contractor nature of the business.
Preferred Experience
• Master’s degree or PMP certification.
• Experience with small turbine engines, propulsion systems, or related aerospace hardware.
• Prior experience supporting a manufacturing facility startup or production ramp-up.
• Familiarity with DoD acquisition pathways including OTAs and SBIR/STTR programs.
Salary Range
$140,000 – $160,000
• The salary range above is an estimate only with final amount being dependent on a wide variety of factors.