Lead Operations Program Manager, Defense Manufacturing

QinetiQ US; Massachusetts; On-site; USD 115,000 - 175,000; Full time

Job summary

QinetiQ US is hiring an Operations Program Manager to lead the execution of flagship production programs at the Franklin, Massachusetts site. You will manage the connection between program commitments and manufacturing output—schedule, materials, sequence, and constraints—while running the operational cadence and providing executive-ready status updates.

You will own the build plan, coordinate with engineering, supply chain and quality, and drive recovery plans when schedules slip.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, Industrial Technology, Manufacturing, Supply Chain, Business Administration, or a related technical field.
• 8+ years in manufacturing operations, production planning, or operations program management.
• Experience on a DoD or federal production program, or in a comparably controlled hardware environment.
• Demonstrated ownership of a production schedule integrated to a master schedule.
• Experience managing production in an active change environment — configuration control, ECP/ECO.
• Hands-on experience planning material in an MRP/ERP environment against build-need dates.
• Experience with turnaround track record — recovery plan and CC.
• Proficiency with scheduling tools (MS Project/Deltek Open Plan/Primavera); advanced Excel.
• Knowledge of PLM and configuration management; engineering change processes.
• Familiarity with quality systems in a regulated production setting (inspection, nonconforming material, corrective action).
• Ability to lead across a matrixed team and resolve conflicts.
• Excellent written and verbal communication with executive presence.

Responsibilities

• Own the build plan against the Integrated Master Schedule and keep a defensible link to floor execution.
• Drive material to build-need dates with supply chain and reconcile schedule.
• Assess operational impact of ECPs/ECOs and reflect changes in the plan.
• Identify driving path, quantify variance, and drive mitigation to closure.
• Lead corrective action on operational misses with quality and engineering teams.
• Partner with supply chain to hold subcontractors to committed dates and recovery schedules.
• Build and run production status rhythm and report progress to leadership.

Skills

Leadership across matrixed teams

Executive presence

Strong communication

Schedule management

Problem solving

Operational execution

Education

Bachelor’s degree in engineering or related field

Tools

MS Project

Deltek Open Plan

Primavera

Excel (advanced)

PLM

Costpoint

Job description

QinetiQ US is hiring an Operations Program Manager to lead the execution of flagship production programs at the Franklin, Massachusetts site. You will manage the connection between program commitments and manufacturing output—schedule, materials, sequence, and constraints—while running the operational cadence and providing executive-ready status updates.

You will own the build plan, coordinate with engineering, supply chain and quality, and drive recovery plans when schedules slip.