Program Manager

Actalent; Huntsville (AL); On-site; USD 70,000 - 139,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental & vision

401(k) Retirement Plan

Life Insurance

Short and long-term disability

Health Spending Account (HSA)

Transportation benefits

Employee Assistance Program

PTO / Vacation

Job summary

Actalent seeks an Intermediate Program Manager (Technical Electrical or Software Engineering) to lead complex engineering programs in a dynamic matrix environment. You will guide development through prototyping and fielding, coordinating a 56-person team across mechanical, electrical, and software disciplines.

The role emphasizes hands-on leadership, scheduling with Microsoft Project, and cost management, with security clearance requirements and a contract-to-hire path based in Huntsville, AL.

Qualifications

• Approximately 710 years of professional experience in program or project management responsibilities.
• Strong technical experience in electrical or software engineering with ability to lead complex technical efforts.
• Bachelor's degree in Software Engineering or Electrical Engineering preferred.
• Experience in systems engineering, software engineering, and related technical fields.
• Experience with budgeting, scheduling, and cost tracking.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage multiple engineering programs, including two current products related to test sets and verification systems, with future support for additional programs such as MULE.
• Oversee projects through the full lifecycle from development to prototyping and field deployment across end users in the field.
• Coordinate and guide a matrixed team of 56 engineers with diverse backgrounds, primarily mechanical, ensuring effective collaboration and leveraging electrical or software expertise to complement the team.
• Develop, maintain, and track integrated project schedules using tools such as Microsoft Project to ensure on-time delivery of milestones.
• Monitor program financial performance by working with finance and scheduling teams, including budgeting, cost tracking, and variance analysis.
• Ensure technical requirements are clearly defined, understood, and met throughout development and prototyping phases.
• Collaborate with software and electrical engineering teams to align technical work with program objectives and constraints.
• Support the creation, review, and refinement of prototypes and test systems, ensuring they meet performance and verification requirements.
• Prepare and deliver status reports, briefings, and updates to internal stakeholders and external partners as needed.
• Engage with business development efforts by participating in external meetings, supporting proposals, and identifying new opportunities.
• Use tools such as Microsoft Excel and Costpoint to support scheduling, financial tracking, and reporting activities.
• Promote a culture of collaboration, continuous improvement, and accountability within the program team.
• Ensure compliance with security requirements associated with holding and maintaining a Secret clearance.

Skills

Program management

Technical leadership

Budgeting

Scheduling

Cost tracking

Secret clearance

Embedded software/hardware

Education

Bachelors in Software or Electrical Engineering

Tools

Microsoft Project

Costpoint

Microsoft Excel

Job description

Job Title: Intermediate Program Manager (Technical Electrical or Software Engineering) Job Description This role offers an opportunity for an intermediate-level Program Manager with a strong technical Experience in electrical or software engineering to lead complex engineering programs within a dynamic matrix organization. You will oversee multiple development efforts related to advanced test systems and verification tools, guiding projects from development through prototyping and fielding. This position is ideal for a technically hands‑on professional with approximately 710 years of experience who is ready to transition into or deepen a leadership role in program management while contributing to a rapidly growing engineering organization. Responsibilities

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage multiple engineering programs, including two current products related to test sets and verification systems, with future support for additional programs such as MULE.


• Oversee projects through the full lifecycle from development to prototyping and field deployment across end users in the field.


• Coordinate and guide a matrixed team of 56 engineers with diverse backgrounds, primarily mechanical, ensuring effective collaboration and leveraging your electrical or software expertise to complement the team.


• Develop, maintain, and track integrated project schedules using tools such as Microsoft Project to ensure on-time delivery of milestones.


• Monitor program financial performance by working closely with finance and scheduling teams, including budgeting, cost tracking, and variance analysis.


• Ensure technical requirements are clearly defined, understood, and met throughout the development and prototyping phases.


• Collaborate with software and electrical engineering teams to align technical work with program objectives and constraints.


• Support the creation, review, and refinement of prototypes and test systems, ensuring they meet performance and verification requirements.


• Prepare and deliver status reports, briefings, and updates to internal stakeholders and external partners as needed.


• Engage with business development efforts by participating in external meetings, supporting proposals, and contributing to the identification of new opportunities.


• Use tools such as Microsoft Excel and Costpoint to support scheduling, financial tracking, and reporting activities.


• Promote a culture of collaboration, continuous improvement, and accountability within the program team.


• Ensure compliance with security requirements associated with holding and maintaining a Secret clearance.

Essential Skills

• Approximately 710 years of professional experience, including significant exposure to program or project management responsibilities.


• Strong technical experience in electrical engineering or software engineering, with the ability to understand and lead complex technical efforts.


• Bachelors degree in Software Engineering or Electrical Engineering is preferred.


• Experience working in or with engineering disciplines such as systems engineering, software engineering, and related technical fields.


• Demonstrated experience with program management activities, including planning, execution, and oversight of technical projects.


• Exposure to finance and scheduling functions, including budgeting, cost tracking, and schedule management.


• Proficiency with Microsoft Project for schedule development and management.


• Proficiency with Microsoft Excel for data analysis, reporting, and financial tracking.


• Experience using Costpoint or similar project accounting/ERP tools.


• Active or obtainable Secret security clearance.


• Interest in taking on external-facing responsibilities, including business development activities.


• Ability to work effectively in a matrix organization and collaborate with multidisciplinary engineering teams.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience writing software code is a strong plus.


• Experience in embedded systems development or integration is a plus.


• Prior experience in a small or rapidly growing engineering organization is beneficial.


• Demonstrated aptitude for business development, including comfort interacting with external stakeholders and supporting proposal efforts.


• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to lead and influence technical teams.


• Proven ability to balance technical understanding with programmatic considerations such as cost, schedule, and risk.


• Experience coordinating work across engineering, program management, finance, and scheduling functions.


• Candidates with an information technology (IT)focused Backgrund are not a fit for this role, as it requires a core Backgrund in software or electrical engineering related to embedded or hardware-adjacent systems.

Work Environment

Work Environment This position is based onsite in Huntsville, Alabama, within a small but rapidly growing engineering organization. You will work in a dynamic matrix structure, collaborating closely with a team of approximately 56 engineers who bring primarily mechanical backgrounds, as well as business support staff in finance and scheduling. Standard working hours are typically 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., with some flexibility provided as long as responsibilities are met and work is completed effectively. The environment emphasizes hands‑on engineering collaboration, exposure to multiple programs, and opportunities for leadership and professional growth in both technical and program management domains.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Huntsville, AL.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $51.00 - $101.00/hr. Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors. Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following:

• Medical, dental & vision


• Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital


• 401(k) Retirement Plan Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available


• Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents)


• Short and long-term disability


• Health Spending Account (HSA)


• Transportation benefits


• Employee Assistance Program


• Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Huntsville, AL.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Nov 3, 2026.

Workplace Type

This is a fully onsite position in Huntsville,AL. About Actalent

Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 20,000 consultants and 5,000 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be an Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm for our engineering design services and a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® winner for both client and talent service.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email [e-mail] for other accommodation options.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance

Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector

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.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI)

We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.