Aerospace Defense Program Lead

Guided Search Partners; Baltimore (MD); On-site; USD 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Guided Search Partners seeks an experienced Program Manager to lead multiple aerospace and defense manufacturing programs from award to delivery. You will serve as the main customer contact, ensuring programs meet deadlines, budgets, and contract requirements while upholding quality standards.

The ideal candidate has 5+ years in program management within aerospace/defense or manufacturing, with strong leadership, cross-functional coordination, and a proven ability to improve delivery performance.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Engineering, Operations Management, or related field.
• 5+ years in program or project management within aerospace, defense, or manufacturing environments.
• Experience managing customer-facing manufacturing programs and complex deliverables.
• Strong understanding of manufacturing operations, production scheduling, and supply chain processes.
• Familiarity with government contracts and defense industry requirements, including FAR/DFARS, preferred.
• Experience with ERP/MRP systems and project management tools.
• Ability to interpret engineering drawings, technical specifications, and customer requirements.

Responsibilities

• Manage aerospace and defense programs from contract award through completion and final delivery.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for customers, maintaining strong relationships and ensuring customer satisfaction.
• Develop and maintain program schedules, budgets, forecasts, and resource plans.
• Monitor program performance to ensure milestones, deliverables, cost targets, and quality expectations are achieved.
• Coordinate cross-functional teams, including engineering, manufacturing, production, quality, supply chain, procurement, and finance.
• Identify program risks, production challenges, and potential delays while implementing corrective action plans.
• Monitor program financial performance, including revenue, profitability, labor costs, and material expenditures.
• Review customer contracts, purchase orders, specifications, and statements of work to ensure compliance with requirements.
• Lead internal and external program status meetings and provide regular updates to customers and senior leadership.
• Manage engineering changes, scope changes, and customer requests while evaluating their impact on cost and schedule.
• Ensure compliance with applicable aerospace and defense industry standards, government contract requirements, and company procedures.
• Support proposal development, contract negotiations, and new program launches as needed.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives to improve operational efficiency, program execution, and customer satisfaction.

Skills

Program management

A&D industry

Customer relations

Budget forecasting

Cross-functional leadership

ERP/MRP systems

Engineering drawings

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

MS Project

SAP

Job description

Guided Search Partners seeks an experienced Program Manager to lead multiple aerospace and defense manufacturing programs from award to delivery. You will serve as the main customer contact, ensuring programs meet deadlines, budgets, and contract requirements while upholding quality standards.

The ideal candidate has 5+ years in program management within aerospace/defense or manufacturing, with strong leadership, cross-functional coordination, and a proven ability to improve delivery performance.