Defense Program Manager - Delivery & Contractor Enablement

US01 Wolfspeed, Inc.; Durham (NC); On-site; USD 110,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

Wolfspeed, Inc. in Durham, NC is seeking a results-driven Program Manager to own and accelerate program delivery with defense contractor partners. You will manage end-to-end execution, maintain IMS, and lead reviews to ensure on-time, high-quality outcomes.

Strong background in defense programs and an active U.S. Secret clearance are required. You will collaborate with engineering, operations, and supply chain teams to align internal readiness with contractor demand, while building trusted

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Business, or a related technical field
• 7+ years of program management experience, with at least 5 years inside a defense contractor (prime or significant sub-tier)
• Deep understanding of how defense prime contractors operate — their internal processes, incentives, culture, and decision-making structures
• Demonstrated track record of driving results and holding teams/partners accountable in a contractor environment
• Strong negotiation, communication, and influencing skills — comfortable pushing back on large organizations professionally and effectively
• Experience managing Integrated Master Schedules and multi-milestone program plans
• Active U.S. Secret Security Clearance (or ability to obtain)

Responsibilities

• Serve as Wolfspeed's primary point of contact with defense prime and sub-tier contractor program teams
• Hold contractors accountable to committed schedules, technical deliverables, and quality standards
• Proactively identify and escalate risks, delays, or gaps in contractor performance before they impact program outcomes
• Drive resolution of technical, contractual, and schedule issues across contractor organizations
• Manage program execution end-to-end — from contract award through delivery and acceptance — with a relentless focus on results
• Maintain Integrated Master Schedules (IMS) and track milestones across multiple concurrent contractor-driven programs
• Lead regular program reviews, status calls, and action item tracking with contractor teams
• Coordinate with Wolfspeed's engineering, operations, and supply chain functions to ensure internal readiness supports contractor demand
• Build deep, trusted working relationships with defense contractor program managers, engineering leads, and procurement teams
• Leverage knowledge of how prime contractors operate internally to navigate their processes efficiently and advocate for Wolfspeed's priorities
• Represent Wolfspeed professionally and credibly in environments where the other side of the table is a large, experienced defense organization
• Identify expansion opportunities within existing contractor relationships and feed them to business development
• Support proposal and pricing efforts for follow-on programs with current defense contractor customers

Skills

Negotiation

Communication

Influencing

Stakeholder management

Program management

Risk management

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Business, or related technical field

Job description

Wolfspeed, Inc. in Durham, NC is seeking a results-driven Program Manager to own and accelerate program delivery with defense contractor partners. You will manage end-to-end execution, maintain IMS, and lead reviews to ensure on-time, high-quality outcomes.

Strong background in defense programs and an active U.S. Secret clearance are required. You will collaborate with engineering, operations, and supply chain teams to align internal readiness with contractor demand, while building trusted