Engineering Program Lead

ND Defense; Madison Heights (MI); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

ND Defense in Michigan is seeking an Engineering Program Lead to manage military and government vehicle programs. This role includes overseeing systems engineering, managing program budgets, and ensuring compliance with government regulations.

The successful candidate will have a Bachelor's in engineering, 4+ years of relevant experience, and proficiency in program management tools. The position requires occasional travel and offers a dynamic work environment alongside state-of-the-art military technologies.

Qualifications

• 4+ years of experience in defense or automotive program/engineering management.
• Experience with AI technologies for optimizing engineering processes.
• Proficiency in program management tools.

Responsibilities

• Oversee full-lifecycle management of vehicle programs.
• Manage program budgets and execution.
• Serve as technical POC for government PMOs.

Skills

Systems engineering leadership

Requirements management

Product and configuration definition

Failure analysis and corrective action

Proposal development

Program management tools proficiency

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical, Electrical, Systems, or Aerospace Engineering

Tools

MS Project

JIRA

Deltek Costpoint

Job description

Overview

ND Defense is seeking an Engineering Program Lead to oversee the full‑lifecycle management of military and government vehicle programs. This role drives the planning, execution, and delivery of complex defense vehicle systems—including tactical wheeled vehicles, armored platforms, and ground mobility solutions—in compliance with U.S. government acquisition regulations and contractual requirements.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide systems engineering leadership across vehicle subsystems including drivetrain, suspension, armor/protection, electrical/electronic architecture, C4ISR integration, and survivability.
• Oversee requirements management, ensuring traceability from customer requirements through design, verification, and validation.
• Lead product and configuration definition of COTS and adapted vehicle/mission systems; review and approve drawings, specifications, trade studies, test plans, and qualification reports.
• Drive failure analysis and corrective action processes (FMEAs, 8D reports, corrective action plans).
• Support proposal development including BOE generation, technical volumes, and risk analyses.

Program Leadership & Execution

• Lead end‑to‑end technical program execution for military ground vehicle development and production contracts across wheeled vehicle platforms.
• Partner with Program Management to develop, maintain, and execute Program Management Plans (PMP) aligned with contractual milestones and government CDRLs.
• Drive and oversee the Integrated Master Schedules (IMS) for programs.
• Manage program budgets, cost‑at‑completion forecasts, variance reporting, and team member task execution.
• Coordinate across engineering, manufacturing, supply chain, test & evaluation, and quality assurance to ensure on‑time program delivery.
• Chair or support program reviews including PDRs, CDRs, TRRs, and milestone decision briefings.

Government & Customer Interface

• Serve as the primary technical POC for government PMOs, Contracting Officers, and CORs, interfacing with agencies such as U.S. Army TACOM, GVSC, AMC, and NAVFAC.
• Manage relationships with prime contractors and respond to RFIs, ECPs, and Program Review packages.
• Ensure compliance with all contract requirements, SOW deliverables, quality clauses, and applicable military standards (MIL‑SPEC, MIL‑STD).

AI & Process Optimization

• Identify and implement opportunities to apply AI and agentic technologies to streamline engineering processes, automate routine program management tasks, and improve decision‑making efficiency.
• Stay current on emerging AI tools and methodologies relevant to defense engineering and program execution, and champion their adoption where appropriate.

Risk, Compliance & Reporting

• Maintain program risk & opportunity registers and develop risk mitigation plans.
• Ensure full compliance with ITAR, EAR, FAR/DFARS, and other government acquisition and export control regulations.
• Prepare and deliver program status reports, metrics dashboards, and executive briefings.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical, Electrical, Systems, or Aerospace Engineering, or a related technical discipline.
• Minimum 4 years of progressive experience in defense or automotive program/engineering management, preferably supporting U.S. government vehicle or ground systems programs.
• Demonstrated experience applying AI or agentic technologies to optimize or automate engineering processes or program management workflows.
• Proficiency with program management tools (MS Project, JIRA, Deltek Costpoint, or equivalent EVM software).

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience managing military and government vehicle programs through full acquisition lifecycle.
• Knowledge of applicable military standards (MIL‑STD‑1553, MIL‑STD‑461, MIL‑DTL‑901, STANAG 4569, AV9660, etc.).
• PMP certification or DAU Program Management certification (Level II or III).
• Knowledge of low‑ and high‑voltage electrical systems, hybrid drive systems, drive‑by‑wire, and autonomy.

Work Environment

• Work is performed in office and manufacturing/production floor environments; PPE required in production areas.
• Travel up to 15%, including on short notice, to manufacturing facilities, government meetings, and proving grounds.
• Must be physically capable of working around military vehicles and accessing vehicle crew stations.

ND Defense is an Equal Opportunity Employer, Veteran/Disabled