Program Director

Dayzim; Middletown (IA); On-site; USD 143,000 - 215,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical/Rx coverage

Dental and vision coverage

Life, AD&D and disability insurance

Flexible spending accounts

Maternity/Parental leave

Job summary

Day & Zimmermann seeks a Program Director to lead warhead development and manufacturing programs for US DoD contracts. You’ll drive cross-functional teams, manage risk, and oversee budgets while maintaining strong government partnerships.

You will act as the primary liaison to customers, pursue new business opportunities, coordinate with proposals, and ensure readiness of production programs. A results-oriented leader with deep technical & financial acumen is essential.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering Required.
• 10+ years experience in US Government contracting.
• Knowledge of military explosives.
• Extensive knowledge of ammunition/missile warhead systems.
• Ability to read and understand engineering drawings/tech data.
• Ability to secure secret clearance.
• Must possess a valid REAL ID-compliant driver’s license or current passport.
• A positive attitude and the ability to collaborate with team members.
• Successful completion of a background screening process.

Responsibilities

• Oversee cross-functional teams to meet cost, schedule and technical objectives; drive risk management and continuous improvement.
• Primary point of contact for customers to communicate status and resolve issues.
• Drive revenue growth by identifying new business opportunities and managing budgets; oversee business plans and profit/loss.
• Coordinate with Proposals Group on responses to RFPs and secure future work; lead business development for legacy items.
• Drive production core teams to ensure resource availability and coordinate shared resources; drive Betterment projects.
• Identify new technologies and prototype readiness with cross-functional partners.

Skills

Leadership

Financial acumen

Manufacturing

Operations

Project management

Problem solving

Analytical skills

Revenue growth

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering

Job description

American Ordnance is seeking a strategic leader to oversee warhead development and manufacturing programs supporting multiple Department of Defense contracts. This role leads cross-functional teams across engineering, operations, quality, and supply chain to achieve cost, schedule, and technical goals while serving as the primary liaison to government stakeholders. With full P&L responsibility, the Program Director drives risk management, modernization, business development, and revenue growth, ensuring strong customer partnerships and mission success.

As the Program Director here’s the work you’ll do:

• Oversees integrated teams in engineering, operations, quality and supply chain to ensure cost, schedule and technical objectives are met. Drives risk management, compliance, modernization initiatives and continuous improvement within warhead R&D and production lines. Coordinates with Engineering on all development efforts.
• Primary point of contact for customers to communicate status and resolve any issues or obstacles that threaten contractual requirements and commitments.
• Build and nurture partnerships and long‑term client relationships. Drive revenue growth by uncovering and identifying new business opportunities through targeted, strategic prospecting. Oversee business plans and budgets and actively involved in the strategic planning process. Responsible for profit and loss of programs.
• Coordinate with the Proposals Group on responses to RFP's and customer requests in order to secure future business opportunities. Lead business development for legacy items and customer relations.
• Drive production core teams to ensure resource availability and coordinate with the other Directors on the most efficient use of shared resources. Drive Betterment projects for all production programs to achieve continuous improvement.
• Lead innovative initiatives by identifying new technologies and enhancing products to maintain a competitive advantage. Design. build and test prototypes while collaborating with cross-functional partners to enhance readiness.

This role is for you if you have these skills:

• Strong Leadership and communications skills.
• Strong financial skills to estimate work, preform bid completion and complete RFP's
• Manufacturing, operations and project management
• Problem solving and analytical skills
• Record of driving revenue growth through client relationships and lead generation. Proficient in translating complex data into actionable executive insights.

And if you have these qualifications:

• Candidates must be authorized to work in the United States.
• Candidates may be required to satisfy additional job‑related requirements, including those established and controlled by third parties, as part of the selection process.
• Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering Required.
• 10+ years Experience in US Government contracting Required.
• Knowledge of military explosives Required.
• Extensive Knowledge of Ammunition/Missile warhead systemsRequired.
• Ability to read and understand engineering drawings/tech dataRequired.
• Ability to secure secret clearance Required.
• Must possess a valid REAL ID-compliant driver’s license, which includes the gold or black star in the upper corner OR current passport, indicating it is federally compliant.
• A positive attitude and the ability to collaborate with team members is essential for contributing to a cohesive work environment.
• Successful completion of a background screening process is mandated for all candidates.

Candidates may be required to satisfy additional job‑related requirements, including those established and controlled by third parties, as part of the selection process.

In compliance with this state’s pay transparency laws, the salary range for this role is$143,440 - $215,160 annually. Please note that this range is not a guarantee of compensation; final offer amounts may vary based on experience and geographic location. The specific programs and options available to an employee may vary depending on the date of hire, schedule type, and the applicability of collective bargaining agreements.

We care about our Employees and it shows!

• Medical/Rx coverage
• Dental and vision coverage
• Life, AD&D and disability insurance
• Flexible spending accounts
• 100% paid maternity leave for up to 12 weeks, parental leave, family leave, other paid time off
• Voluntary benefits and discount programs to meet our employees individual needs including pet insurance for our furry family members

To ensure a safe work environment while meeting the physical demands of the job, you must be able to perform the following physical and mental tasks, with or without a reasonable accommodation:

• Visual acuity (e.g., needed to prepare and analyze data, to transcribe documents, to view a computer, to read, to inspect objects, to operate machinery
• Pushing or pulling (e.g., using a part of your body to press against something in a downward or outward direction, or in a dragging or hauling motion)
• Balancing (e.g., maintaining equilibrium when walking, climbing, crouching etc.)
• Manual Dexterity (e.g., picking, pinching, typing, or other working that uses the fingers)
• Stooping (e.g., bending the spine at the waist)
• Grasping (e.g., use of hand to apply pressure)
• Reaching (e.g., reaching the arms or legs in any direction)
• Feeling (e.g., perceiving an object’s size, shape, texture etc.)
• Lifting motion or lifting objects more than 15 pounds
• Climbing (e.g., ascending/descending ladders, stair, scaffolding, ramps, pole etc. using feet and legs or hands/arms to climb)
• Walking
• Hearing
• Repetitive motions of any part of the body
• Talking
• Kneeling, crouching or crawling
• Capacity to think, concentrate and focus over long periods of time
• Ability to write complex documents in the [English] language
• Ability to read complex documents in [English] language
• Capacity to express thoughts orally (e.g., accurately, quick and loudly convey spoken instructions to workers)
• Capacity to reason and make sound decisions
• Ability to wear a mask, respirator, bullet proof vest, or other equipment
• Ability to regularly perform all job functions at Company’s office or work site
• Ability to withstand environmental conditions (e.g., extreme heat or cold, grass, wind, sand, fumes, odors, gases, extreme noise, etc.)

#LI-FJ1

Notices to Applicants

For California applicants, qualified applicants with arrest or conviction records will be considered for employment in accordance with the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers and the California Fair Chance Act. All of the material job duties described in this posting are job duties for which a criminal history may have a direct, adverse, and negative relationship potentially resulting in the withdrawal of a conditional offer of employment.

It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability. If you receive a communication that appears suspicious or requests payment, contact Day & Zimmermann directly before responding or sharing personal information.

Diversity, Inclusion & Equal Employment Opportunity

Day & Zimmermann is committed to maintaining an inclusive workforce, where employees are hired, retained, compensated and promoted based on their contributions to our Company. Our collective strength is rooted in over a century of diverse employees and businesses, commitment to success, and delivery on promises made. Federal and state Equal Employment Opportunity laws prohibit employment discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, age, national origin, citizenship status, veteran status and disability status. Day & Zimmermann is committed to providing an equal opportunity work environment in full compliance with these laws. If you are an individual with a disability and you require an accommodation in the application process, please email [e-mail] , and please specify which position you are interested in, including job title and location.