Manufacturing Systems Engineering Manager – Level 3

Jobtailor; Arizona; On-site; USD 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Jobtailor in the United States seeks a senior Program Manager to lead the program manufacturing strategy and execution for aerospace hardware. You will guide requirements through demonstrations to full-rate production, coordinating with suppliers, partners, and internal teams to ensure cost targets and on-time delivery.

The role requires 15+ years in production, development, or sustainment of complex weapon systems, secret clearance, and ability to manage globally distributed manufacturing.

Qualifications

• Bachelor of Science degree in engineering or related STEM with 10+ years' experience.
• Active U.S. Government Secret clearance, current and within scope.
• Experience in project or program management, engineering, and supply chain.
• Lead production operations and design-to-cost, full-rate production or subcontracting.
• Experience with AI and automation tools to enable scalability.

Responsibilities

• Develop and lead the program manufacturing strategy and execution.
• Deliver a significant number of space vehicles annually.
• Own manufacturing scope and approve manufacturing changes.
• Lead end-to-end programs including design-to-cost and sourcing.
• Coordinate manufacturing site selection and facility transition plans.
• Build customer relationships and support proposals.

Skills

Program Management

Production Operations

Supplier Oversight

Aerospace Hardware Development

Engineering Leadership

Education

Bachelor of Science in Engineering or related STEM field

Master’s degree (preferred)

Tools

SAP

Manufacturing Automation Tools

Job description

• Develop and lead the program manufacturing strategy and execution from requirements development and demonstration through large-scale production at full rate
• Deliver a significant number of space vehicles on an annual basis
• Work collaboratively with all elements of the organization
• Lead projects through all manufacturing readiness level phases
• Own manufacturing scope and serve as approval authority for manufacturing-related engineering changes
• Provide design ownership and oversight across a product portfolio
• Lead programs end-to-end, including the full development lifecycle, subcontractors/partners, Design-to-Cost, sourcing, and alternate suppliers
• Build customer relationships and lead Manufacturing Technical Strategy to support proposals
• Establish design concepts and criteria and provide engineering for R&D, integration, and test
• Recommend cost- and performance-improving changes
• Translate state-of-the-art process capabilities for designers
• Build cost models and affordability assessments to meet targets
• Coordinate manufacturing site selection and facility transition plans
• Manage risks and opportunities
• Develop production strategies across multiple classification and SAP levels
• Support acquisition, design, integration, execution, supplier oversight, subcontract management, and supply chain activities

Requirements

• Bachelor of Science degree in engineering, science or other relevant STEM area and 10 years or more of related experience OR a Master’s degree and 8 years of related experience
• Active U.S. Government Secret security clearance at time of application, current and within scope
• Related professional and/or military experience in project or Program management, engineering, capture efforts, supply chain, and/or business management
• Project lead or integrated program team lead experience in Production Operations, Design to Cost, Subcontract Management, Full-Rate Production or Supplier sourcing
• Experience with the full lifecycle of aerospace hardware development and builds
• Ability to obtain Top Secret security clearance level and SAPs as determined by the company to meet its business needs
• Minimum 15 years of experience in production, development or sustainment management and integration of complex weapon systems
• Experience transitioning programs from engineering development to full rate/high volume production
• Experience leading program execution across a geographically distributed manufacturing organization
• Experience engaging in supplier oversight and management
• Proven performance as an engineering leader in all phases of acquisition, design, integration, and execution
• Working knowledge and/or experience across engineering disciplines
• Experience with use and integration of AI and automation tools to support scalability and production
• Ability to identify and proactively address organizational and program impacts through a systematic, proactive approach to problem resolution
• Ability to support identification, selection, and management of subcontract and supply chain elements of the program
• Strong communication, team-building, collaboration, ethical conduct, and customer-trust capabilities
• U.S. Citizenship required for positions with a government clearance and certain other restricted positions
• Willingness to travel 10% of the time

Core Competencies

Demonstrates expertise in leading manufacturing strategy and execution for aerospace hardware development, with a strong focus on program management, supplier oversight, and production operations. Proven ability to manage complex weapon systems through all lifecycle phases while ensuring cost-effectiveness and performance improvements.

Highest-signal resume keywords

• Program Management
• Production Operations
• Supplier Oversight
• Aerospace Hardware Development
• Engineering Leadership

Hard Skills

• Manufacturing Strategy
• Design-to-Cost
• Production Readiness Levels
• Cost Modeling
• Risk Management
• Integration and Test Engineering
• Lifecycle Management
• AI and Automation Integration
• Subcontract Management
• Supply Chain Management

Soft Skills

• Communication
• Team-Building
• Collaboration
• Ethical Conduct
• Customer Trust

Certifications & Qualifications

• Active U.S. Government Secret Security Clearance
• Ability to Obtain Top Secret Security Clearance

Industry Keywords

• Aerospace
• Weapon Systems
• Full-Rate Production
• Geographically Distributed Manufacturing
• Engineering Disciplines

Tools & Technologies

• SAP
• Manufacturing Automation Tools