Program Lead

Akkodis; Madison Heights (MI); On-site; USD 130,000 - 140,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401(k) with match

Medical insurance

Job summary

Akkodis is seeking an Engineering Program Lead for our Direct Hire role in Madison Heights, MI to oversee full-lifecycle defense vehicle programs.

The role combines systems engineering and program management, with responsibilities across requirements, schedules, budgets, and government interfaces, and requires experience with AI-enabled process improvements.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical, Electrical, Systems, or Aerospace Engineering.
• Minimum 4 years of progressive experience in defense or automotive program/engineering management.
• 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).

Responsibilities

• 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.
• 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.

Skills

Systems engineering

Program management

Defense acquisition

AI in defense

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical/Electrical/Systems/Aerospace Engineering

Tools

MS Project

JIRA

Deltek Costpoint

Job description

Akkodis is seeking an Engineering Program Lead for our Direct Hire role with our client in Madison Heights, MI.

Salary Range: $130K - $140K per annum. (The salary may be negotiable based on experience, education, geographic location, and other factors.)

Role: Engineering Program Lead

Location: Madison Heights, MI

Job Type: Direct Hire Role

Job Description

Seeking an Engineering Program Lead to oversee the full-lifecycle management of military, Defense 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.

The Engineering Program Lead serves as the primary leader for program technical planning and execution and represents program technical direction to government customers (DoD, Army, Marine Corps, DLA), and prime contractor partners. The role requires a combination of systems engineering expertise, program management discipline, defense acquisition knowledge, and a forward-looking ability to leverage AI and agentic technologies to optimize engineering workflows and program execution.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Systems Engineering & Technical Oversight

• 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.
• 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, Engineering Change Proposals (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.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Veterans/Disabled

Benefits offerings include but are not limited to:

• 401(k) with match
• Medical insurance

To read our Candidate Privacy Information Statement, which explains how we will use your information, please visit https://www.akkodis.com/en/privacy-policy.

The Company will consider qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records in accordance with federal, state, and local laws and/or security clearance requirements, including, as applicable:

• The California Fair Chance Act
• Los Angeles City Fair Chance Ordinance
• Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers