Program Manager

Boutique Recruiting; Braintree (MA); Hybrid; USD 160,000 - 190,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work flexibility

Relocation assistance

401(k) with company match

Generous paid time off

Tuition reimbursement

Job summary

Boutique Recruiting is seeking an experienced Program Manager to lead complex new product development programs from concept through production in a defense manufacturing setting. You will own execution, financial performance, customer relationships, and cross-functional coordination.

This role targets a technical leader who can navigate R&D and manufacturing, communicate with executive leadership and customers, and deliver results across engineering, quality, and supply chain.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of program management experience in manufacturing.
• Experience managing NPD or R&D development programs.
• Experience leading manufacturing or production programs.
• Ability to manage programs across multiple lifecycle phases.
• Strong engineering or technical background with engineering collaboration.
• Experience managing program financials, schedules, deliverables, and cross-functional teams.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and stakeholder management.
• Ability to obtain/maintain Secret Security Clearance.
• Bachelor's degree in Engineering or related field or equivalent experience.

Responsibilities

• Lead new product development programs from concept to production.
• Manage program scope, schedules, budgets, financial performance, and customer satisfaction.
• Coordinate cross-functional teams including engineering, manufacturing, quality, supply chain, contracts, and finance.
• Drive programs through lifecycle phases while balancing technical, operational, and business objectives.
• Build and maintain relationships with customers and executive leadership.
• Identify program risks early, develop mitigation plans, and keep programs on track.
• Present program updates, financial performance, and strategic recommendations to senior leadership.
• Ensure successful execution of milestones and readiness for production.
• Support proposal development, program planning, and long-term strategic initiatives.
• Foster accountability, transparency, and proactive communication across stakeholders.

Skills

Program Management

Cross-functional leadership

Stakeholder management

Communication skills

Security clearance

Education

Engineering degree or equivalent

Job description

Position Title:

Program Manager

We are seeking an experienced Program Manager to lead complex new product development programs from concept through production in a fast-paced, high-visibility defense manufacturing environment. This is a true program leadership role where you will own program execution, financial performance, customer relationships, and cross-functional coordination while guiding products through every phase of the development lifecycle. The ideal candidate is a well-rounded program manager with experience leading both research and development (R&D)/new product development initiatives and manufacturing production programs. This role is best suited for a technical leader who thrives in complex engineering environments, takes ownership, communicates confidently with executive leadership and customers, and successfully delivers results across cross-functional teams.

Salary Range:

$160,000–$190,000 / DOE

Responsibilities

• Lead new product development programs from concept, design, and engineering through manufacturing and production
• Manage program scope, schedules, budgets, financial performance, and customer satisfaction
• Coordinate cross-functional teams including engineering, manufacturing, quality, supply chain, contracts, and finance
• Drive programs through multiple lifecycle phases while balancing technical, operational, and business objectives
• Build and maintain strong relationships with customers and executive leadership
• Identify program risks early, develop mitigation plans, and keep programs on track
• Present program updates, financial performance, and strategic recommendations to senior leadership
• Ensure successful execution of development milestones while preparing programs for production readiness
• Support proposal development, program planning, and long-term strategic initiatives
• Foster accountability, transparency, and proactive communication across all stakeholders

Requirements

• 5+ years of Program Management experience within a manufacturing environment
• Proven experience managing new product development (NPD) or R&D development programs
• Experience leading manufacturing or production programs through successful execution
• Ability to manage programs across multiple lifecycle phases from development through production
• Strong engineering or technical background with the ability to partner closely with engineering teams
• Experience managing program financials, schedules, customer deliverables, and cross-functional teams
• Excellent leadership, communication, and stakeholder management skills
• Ability to obtain or maintain a Secret Security Clearance
• Bachelor's degree in Engineering or a related technical field preferred, or equivalent experience

Preferred Qualifications

• Aerospace or Defense industry experience preferred
• Experience leading high-complexity, low-volume manufacturing programs preferred
• Background supporting sonar, radar, undersea systems, or similar defense technologies preferred
• Experience recovering or turning around challenging development or production programs is preferred
• A strong development-focused background with the flexibility to support multiple engineering organizations is preferred

Benefits

• Competitive base salary with performance bonus opportunities
• Comprehensive medical plan options
• 401(k) with company match
• Generous paid time off that increases with tenure
• Tuition reimbursement and student loan assistance
• Relocation assistance for qualified candidates
• Hybrid work flexibility based on program performance
• Opportunity to lead highly visible, mission-critical programs with executive exposure
• Long-term career growth within a rapidly expanding organization