Program Manager

Prefix Corporation; Rochester Hills (MI); On-site; USD 85,000 - 115,000; Full time

Job summary

Prefix Corporation in Rochester Hills, MI is seeking a Program Manager to lead teams in designing and manufacturing innovative systems for the entertainment industry. This role involves managing complex programs, ensuring customer satisfaction, and overseeing budgets and schedules.

The ideal candidate holds a bachelor's degree in engineering, has at least 4 years of leading program management tasks, and possesses strong communication and leadership skills. The position requires U.S. citizenship or authorization to work in the U.S.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 4 years of experience leading and reporting program elements.
• 3-5 years of product development experience in a technical area.
• Ability to influence and motivate cross-functional teams.

Responsibilities

• Manage all aspects of a program across its life cycle.
• Balance competing constraints while ensuring quality and satisfaction.
• Communicate program status consistently to senior management.

Skills

Leadership and communication skills

Strong computer proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite

Education

Bachelor’s degree in engineering or relevant technical field

Job description

Job Details

Job Location: 1400 Rochester Hills, MI 48307

Prefix Corporation is an engineering services company, developing innovative design and engineering solutions for various industries. Continuously owned and operated by the same founding family for over 40 years, today the company operates multiple facilities in Michigan with over 300 employees, and has become a single‑source American manufacturing, prototype, concept vehicle and production solutions provider to the automotive, aviation, motion picture, themed entertainment, and a variety of other industries.

At Prefix, we are looking for motivated, ambitious people who put the needs of our customers first, bring creativity to their work and will do whatever it takes to achieve success. If you share our passion for providing innovative solutions to complex challenges, we want you on our team. We have an opportunity for a Program Manager to lead a team in the design, manufacturing and assembly of ride and show systems and associated equipment for our exciting and rapidly growing Entertainment Systems group. As a Program Manager, you will be the central point of contact for the customer and oversee both direction of the program plan and the progress of the cross‑functional program team. Primary program scope involves high‑risk/complex programs, new or future business awards and includes existing programs that have major changes directed by the customer. Responsible for program completion within determined scope, quality, time and cost constraints. Promotes customer satisfaction by ensuring the program adheres to customer specifications and contract deliverables. The position is located at our Rochester Hills, MI facility.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Manage all aspects of a program including the Initiating, Planning, Executing, Monitoring & Controlling and Closing phases, over the entire life of the program and manage the day‑to‑day client interaction, including setting and managing client expectations and ensuring a positive customer experience.
• Effectively balance competing program constraints including but not limited to scope, quality, schedule, funding, budget, resources and risk while achieving the highest quality and stakeholder/customer satisfaction levels.
• Review and provide input to contracts, verify completeness of scope and communicate all program deliverables and customer contract requirements amongst the entire program team to ensure compliance to customer requirements and provide support for proposal development for new programs, as required.
• Develop and oversee program schedules, track and update milestones and key activity streams that enable the cross‑functional project teams to meet objectives and ensure the team knows what is expected of them, keeping important milestones front and center and insisting on timely completion of deliverables.
• Monitor progress of projects through internal reviews, leading team meetings and assistance where needed to quickly resolve impasses by addressing and/or elevating issues internally and with the customer, ensuring barriers that could impede program progress are removed.
• Communicate program status in a consistent manner with other Program Managers (financials, health, forecast, issues, risks, etc.) to senior management in an open and honest fashion.
• Monitor changes in program scope and communicate them to the Customer in accordance with the contract requirement to capture any costs or schedule changes.
• Identify risks in a timely manner, manage and develop mitigation/contingency plans with key stakeholders, removing blockers and impediments to support team efforts.
• Overall responsibility for managing the program budget and tracking the financial status of the program.
• Responsible for invoicing according to contract schedule of values or milestone invoice schedule.
• Identify and document lessons learned on a program and present to senior management.

Qualifications

Required:

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering or relevant technical field.
• Minimum of 4 years of experience leading, developing, and reporting program critical elements (open issues, project timing plans, budget variances, etc.) to various stakeholders including senior management, internal teams, and customers.
• 3‑5 years of product development experience in a technical area or related field.
• Leadership and communication skills in leading cross‑functional teams and ability to influence and motivate team members.
• Strong computer proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite.

Preferred:

• Master’s degree in technical or business field.
• Prototype, concept development, and/or research and development industry experience.
• Work experience and knowledge in themed entertainment industry.
• Project Management Professional (PMP), PMI Project Management Certification, or similar.

Additional Information

Direct Reports: 0‑3

Travel Requirements: 10% (current valid passport preferred / not required)

U.S. Citizen or legally authorized to work in the United States.