Program Manager

Element Materials Technology; Lancaster (CA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Element Materials Technology is seeking a Program Manager in California to lead customer programs related to precision cleaning and contamination control for aerospace hardware. This hands-on role demands strong technical skills and operational discipline to ensure programs are executed on time and comply with industry standards.

Ideal candidates will have a Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, significant experience in the aerospace sector, and a proven ability to manage complex programs. Offers a competitive salary ranging from $90,000 to $120,000 per year plus benefits.

Qualifications

• 5–10+ years of experience in aerospace, defense, or space industry.
• 3+ years in program/project management roles.
• Strong understanding of quality systems.

Responsibilities

• Own full lifecycle program management from contract award through delivery.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for customers.
• Ensure compliance with applicable standards.

Skills

Program management

Technical oversight

Quality control

Customer communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering

Job description

Overview

The Program Manager (PM) is responsible for leading customer programs related to precision cleaning, contamination control, and processing of aerospace and spaceflight hardware. This role sits at the intersection of engineering, operations, quality, and customer interface, ensuring that all programs are executed on time, within scope, and in full compliance with stringent industry and customer requirements (e.g., NASA, DoD, and commercial space standards).

This is a hands‑on role requiring strong technical fluency, operational discipline, and the ability to manage high‑stakes hardware through tightly controlled cleaning and verification processes.

Salary: $90,000 - $120,000/yr DOE

Responsibilities

• Program Leadership & Execution
  • Own full lifecycle program management from contract award through delivery
  • Develop and maintain program schedules, milestones, and deliverables
  • Ensure alignment between customer requirements and internal execution
  • Drive on‑time delivery while maintaining strict quality and contamination control standards
  • Identify risks early and implement mitigation strategies
• Customer Interface
  • Serve as the primary point of contact for customers
  • Lead technical discussions, status reviews, and program updates
  • Translate customer specifications into actionable internal requirements
  • Manage scope changes, pricing impacts, and contract modifications
• Technical Oversight
  • Develop deep understanding of precision cleaning processes (e.g., aqueous, solvent, ultrasonic, vacuum bakeout)
  • Ensure compliance with applicable standards (e.g., IEST, ASTM, NASA contamination control requirements)
  • Partner with engineering and quality teams on process validation, nonconformance resolution, and continuous improvement
  • Review and approve technical work instructions, travelers, and acceptance criteria
• Operations Coordination
  • Coordinate across production, quality, lab/testing, and logistics teams
  • Balance capacity, throughput, and priority programs
  • Drive efficiency improvements without compromising compliance or cleanliness levels
  • Support scheduling and resource planning
• Quality & Compliance
  • Ensure programs meet internal and external quality management requirements
  • Support audits (customer, regulatory, internal)
  • Participate in root cause analysis and corrective actions for program‑related issues
  • Maintain documentation traceability and configuration control
• Financial & Contract Management
  • Manage program budgets, margins, and cost tracking
  • Support quoting and proposal development
  • Identify opportunities for upsell or expanded scope within existing accounts

Skills / Qualifications

• Required Qualifications
  • Bachelor’s degree in Engineering (Mechanical, Aerospace, Chemical, or related field)
  • 5–10+ years of experience in aerospace, defense, or space industry
  • 3+ years in program/project management roles
  • Strong understanding of quality systems
  • Proven ability to manage complex, technically demanding programs
• Preferred Qualifications
  • Experience with precision cleaning, contamination control, or high‑spec manufacturing environments
  • Experience supporting spaceflight programs
  • Familiarity with standards such as:
    • IEST-STD-CC1246 (cleanliness levels)
    • ASTM G93 / G94 (cleaning for oxygen service)
    • NASA-STD-6016 / NASA-STD-5008
  • Experience in cleanroom operations (ISO Class 5–8 environments)
  • Background in materials, surface chemistry, or contamination engineering

Equal Employment Opportunity

All suitably qualified candidates will receive consideration for employment on the basis of objective work‑related criteria and without regard for the following: age, disability, ethnic origin, gender, marital status, race, religion, sexual orientation, or gender identity.