Program Manager

Actalent; Madison (AL); On-site; USD 100,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

401(k) plan with company match

Paid time off

Job summary

Actalent is seeking a Program Manager to lead manufacturing improvement initiatives across UAS production lines, overseeing process development and automation projects. You will coordinate internal and external deliverables, ensuring programs meet schedule, budget, and contract requirements.

You’ll drive multi-disciplinary collaboration among engineering, production, and quality, managing risk, milestones, and customer communications through kickoff to execution.

Qualifications

• 5+ years PM experience in aerospace/defense/advanced manufacturing
• Background in materials/process engineering (composites, metals, bonding)
• Experience with production line stand-ups or manufacturing scale-up
• Experience with automation projects (robotics, CNC, tooling)
• Familiarity with UAS/UAV production environments
• PMP certification or equivalent training
• Lean/Six Sigma or similar CI methods
• Experience with ERP/PLM systems and CAD-adjacent workflows
• Bachelor’s degree in engineering or related field; equivalent experience
• Proven ability to plan, schedule and execute multi-disciplinary manufacturing projects

Responsibilities

• Lead programs across manufacturing improvement initiatives and automation projects
• Coordinate engineering, production, and quality to keep programs on schedule and budget
• Own risk and deliverable tracking from kickoff to execution
• Manage outward-facing activities including customer status reporting and milestone reviews
• Collaborate with engineering and production to resolve materials/process issues
• Drive risk mitigation and escalation for assigned projects

Skills

PM leadership

Aerospace/defense

Lean/Six Sigma

ERP/PLM familiarity

PMP certification

Manufacturing process development

Automation projects

Education

Bachelor's degree in engineering or related

Tools

MS Project

Visual ERP

ePDM

Job description

Job Title

Program Manager

Description

Product Manager to lead manufacturing improvement initiatives across our UAS production lines, including process development and manufacturing automation. This role will own project execution across both internal manufacturing initiatives and external customer-facing deliverables, coordinating engineering, production, and quality functions to keep programs on schedule, on budget, and aligned to contract requirements. Serve as program manager for manufacturing capacity and process improvement initiatives, owning schedule, budget, risk, and deliverable tracking from kickoff through execution

Coordinate inward-facing manufacturing initiatives supporting UAS production, including process development, materials/process qualification, and production line readiness

Lead manufacturing automation projects, coordinating with engineering, production, and outside vendors from concept through implementation to reduce touch labor and improve repeatability

Manage outward-facing program activities, including customer status reporting, milestone reviews, and coordination with government program offices

Partner with engineering and production to resolve materials, process, and manufacturing issues affecting cost, schedule, or quality

Drive risk identification and mitigation across assigned projects, maintaining risk registers and escalating issues proactively

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• 5+ years of project or program management experience in aerospace, defense, or advanced manufacturing
• Background in materials and process engineering, such as composite fabrication, metallics, bonding/adhesives, or manufacturing process qualification
• Experience managing production line stand‑ups, process development efforts, or manufacturing scale‑up projects
• Experience with automation projects such as robotics, CNC integration, or fixture/tooling development
• Familiarity with UAS/UAV production environments
• PMP certification or equivalent formal project management training
• Familiarity with Lean, Six Sigma, or other continuous improvement methodologies
• Experience with ERP/PLM systems (e.g., Visual ERP, ePDM) and CAD‑adjacent documentation workflows
• Bachelor's degree in engineering, materials science, business, or a related technical field; equivalent experience will be considered
• Proven ability to plan, schedule, and execute multi-disciplinary manufacturing projects on time and on budget
• Strong working knowledge of project management fundamentals, including scope, schedule, risk, and budget management
• Manufacturing experience, with working knowledge of materials and process considerations affecting production (e.g., composites, metallics, finishing, or assembly processes)
• Ability to coordinate across engineering, production, quality, supply chain, and outside contractors/vendors
• Strong communication and presentation skills, with the ability to interface effectively with all levels of management, customers, and government representatives
• Ability to manage multiple concurrent projects and shifting priorities in a fast‑paced manufacturing environment
• Proficiency with project management and scheduling tools (e.g., MS Project or similar)

Job Type & Location

This is a Permanent position based out of Madison, AL.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $100000.00 - $150000.00/yr.

• PERSONNEL POLICIES AND PRACTICES Work Week Monday through Friday; 8 hours per day; 40 hours per week. Different hours may be assigned to specific individuals when circumstances warrant.
• Holidays 10 holidays: New Year's Day, President's Day, Memorial Day, Fourth of July, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, and 3 additional Floating Holidays (1 awarded after 3 months employment, and 2 awarded after 6 months).
• Personal Time Off 3 weeks per year accrued at 10 hours per month: 1 to 5 years: 3 weeks
• 5 to 10 years: 4 weeks
• 10+ years: 5 weeks
• Paid time off (PTO) is available to use as vacation or sick leave.
• PTO may be accrued and carried over at the end of the year up to240 total accumulative hours after 1 year.
• Patriotic Service Pay The Company will compensate employees for jury duty so that there will be no loss of pay for a maximum of 40 hours.
• Jury duty for which compensation is provided is to be served during normal working hours.
• Up to 120 hours per fiscal year may be charged to administrative leave for absence due to military or National Guard obligations.
• The Company will pay the employee the difference between their regular base rate of pay and any pay received for military duty.
• Compensation Payment of wages is made by direct deposit every other Friday.
• Performance reviews are prepared at yearly anniversaries.
• Merit pay increases may be given at any time as circumstances warrant.
• Tuition Assistance Full‑time employees may be reimbursed for expenses of pre‑approved job‑related coursework completed at an accredited college or university, up to a limit of $1,000 per calendar year for undergraduate studies and $2,000 per calendar year for graduate studies.
• A grade of A or B is required to qualify for reimbursement.
• An employee who voluntarily terminates employment within 1 year of undergraduate level course completion or within 2 years of graduate level course completion must refund to the Company the cost of any reimbursement received.
• MEDICAL CARE BENEFITS Policy The Company provides medical and dental plans through Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama.
• The Company pays 100% of the premium for employees and 90% of the premium for family coverage.
• Coverage begins on date of hire.
• Premiums per pay period for medical and dental coverage are: Blue Access Gold Plan: Employee Only: $0 Employee + Child Dependent: $25.64 Employee + Adult Dependent: $29.24 Family: $55.13 Blue Choice 100 (Merit): Employee Only: $46.01 Employee + Child Dependent: $110.75 Employee + Adult Dependent: $121.26 Family: $186.26 Hospitalization Coverage - Blue Access Gold Plan 100% after $250 per day hospital co‑pay for days 1–5 for each admission. Outpatient 100% after $250 co‑pay. Calendar Year Deductible: $600 Individual; $1,200 Family Office Visits: $30 Primary Care; $50 Specialist See Plan description booklet for more information.
• Hospitalization Coverage - Blue Choice 100 (Merit) 100% after $150 per day hospital co‑pay for days 1–5 for each admission. Outpatient 100% after $150 co‑pay. Calendar Year Deductible: $100 Individual; $200 Family Office Visits: $20 Primary Care & Specialist See Plan description booklet for more information.
• VISION CARE BENEFITS The Company voluntarily provides a Vision Plan through VSP.
• Premiums per month are: Vision Care Premium: Employee Only: $4.00 Employee + One: $5.80 Employee + Family: $10.39 Plan Frequencies Exam every 12 months Lenses every 12 months Frames every 24 months Co‑payment If using a network provider, each member's co‑payment at the time of service are: Exam: $10; Lenses and/or frames: $20
• DEATH BENEFITS PLAN Basic Life Insurance Mutual of Omaha. The Company pays 100% of premium. Coverage amount is $200,000. Effective date is first of the month following date of hire.
• Supplemental Life Insurance Mutual of Omaha. Supplemental life insurance is available to employee, spouse, and children. Effective date is first of the month following date of hire. Premium is calculated based on schedule on file in Human Resource Department.
• Accidental Death & Dismemberment Policy Mutual of Omaha. The Company pays 100% of premium. Coverage amount is $200,000. Effective date is first of the month following date of hire.
• INCOME PROTECTION PLANS Short Term Disability Mutual of Omaha. The Company Pays 100% of premium. Coverage amount is 60% of tax‑free weekly salary. There is a 15-day waiting period. Effective date is first of the month following completion of introductory period.
• Long Term Disability Mutual of Omaha. The Company pays 100% of premium. Coverage amount is 60% of tax‑free monthly salary. There is a 90-day waiting period. Effective date is first of the month following completion of introductory period.
• SAVINGS PLAN 401(K) Plan is available to all eligible employees. Contributions can be made by the employee beginning with the first payroll check. The Company will match the employee percentage contributed up to 5% starting in the first payroll check.

Workplace Type

This is a fully onsite position in Madison,AL.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Aug 31, 2026.

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.

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.