Program Manager

Gilder Search Group; Saint Paul (MN); Hybrid; USD 93,000 - 114,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health & dental insurance

Paid holidays

MN Earned Sick & Safe Time

Weekly paychecks

Job summary

Konik—a Minnesota-based engineering and manufacturing liaison—seeks a Program Manager to steer complex government and defense programs from proposal through design, production, testing, and delivery.

The role interfaces with customers and cross‑functional teams to control cost, schedule, and technical performance, while ensuring compliance with federal requirements and effective communications with stakeholders.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, business, or related field.
• 4–7 years of program management experience, including at least 3 years leading programs.
• Experience managing DoD or federal government contracts.
• Working knowledge of FAR requirements and government vs commercial program execution.
• Demonstrated ability to manage budgets, schedules, technical deliverables, risks, proposals, and customer communications.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and Microsoft Project.
• U.S. Person status under ITAR requirements.

Responsibilities

• Lead programs across engineering, manufacturing, testing, and cross‑functional disciplines.
• Own program cost, schedule, technical performance, milestones, budgets, deliverables, and execution.
• Serve as primary customer contact, respond to questions, communicate status, and coordinate reviews.
• Monitor schedules and risks, identify issues early, and develop mitigation plans.
• Prepare proposals and task‑order responses with estimates and content.
• Plan and facilitate program meetings, design reviews, testing activities, and deliverables.
• Provide reports to leadership and stakeholders.

Skills

Program management experience

DoD / federal contracts

FAR compliance

Budget & schedule management

ITAR compliance

Customer communications

Leadership of cross-functional teams

Education

Bachelor’s degree in engineering, business, or related field

Tools

Microsoft Project

Microsoft Office

Job description

Program Manager

Eagan, MN | Contract-to-Hire | $45-$55/hr | Hybrid, 4 days onsite / 1 day remote

Konik is partnering with a local engineering and manufacturing organization seeking a Program Manager to lead complex government and defense programs from proposal development through design, production, testing, and delivery.

This role serves as the primary customer interface and is responsible for cost, schedule, and technical performance. The ideal candidate brings hands‑on leadership of government programs, working knowledge of federal acquisition requirements, and the judgment to keep cross‑functional teams, budgets, and deliverables on track.

Program Manager Responsibilities:

• Lead assigned programs across engineering, manufacturing, testing, quality, and other cross‑functional disciplines.
• Own program cost, schedule, technical performance, milestones, budgets, deliverables, and overall execution.
• Serve as a primary customer contact, respond to questions, communicate program status, and coordinate reviews and key decisions.
• Monitor schedules and task status, identify risks early, and develop practical mitigation and recovery plans.
• Prepare proposals and task‑order responses, including estimates and management, technical, and cost content.
• Plan and facilitate program meetings, design reviews, testing activities, and customer deliverables.
• Assess performance, maintain accurate program documentation, and provide clear reports to leadership and stakeholders.

Program Manager Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, business, or a related field.
• 4-7 years of program management experience, including at least 3 years directly leading programs or major projects.
• Experience managing U.S. Department of Defense or other federal government contracts and programs.
• Working knowledge of Federal Acquisition Regulation requirements and the differences between government and commercial program execution.
• Demonstrated ability to manage budgets, schedules, technical deliverables, risks, proposals, and customer communications.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and project scheduling tools such as Microsoft Project.
• Applicants must qualify as a U.S. Person under International Traffic in Arms Regulations, including U.S. citizens, lawful permanent residents, refugees, or individuals granted asylum.

Preferred Experience:

• Project Management Professional certification.
• Background supporting engineering, manufacturing, software, or technical product development in a hybrid waterfall environment.

Benefits:

• Health & dental insurance
• Paid holidays
• MN Earned Sick & Safe Time
• Weekly paychecks
  

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Konik is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, status as a protected veteran, status as a qualified individual with a disability, or any other protected class status.

Konik has been creating impactful relationships between technical talent and employers for more than 50 years. Konik has specialized in placing professional, qualified personnel in Minnesota and western Wisconsin businesses since its inception, and maintains a strong commitment to customer service.