Program Manager

Actalent; San Diego (CA); On-site; USD 130,000 - 145,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Paid time off

Flexible work arrangements

Job summary

Actalent in San Diego, CA is seeking a Program Manager to oversee complex production programs, driving planning through delivery in a defense/aerospace context. You will lead cross-functional teams and be the primary point of contact for customers and leadership.

The role emphasizes ensuring cost, quality, and schedule targets, coordinating internal stakeholders, and supporting manufacturing readiness for aerospace components. The position offers onsite work in San Diego with a 9/80 schedule.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience in project and/or program management in a manufacturing environment.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Project for developing and maintaining project schedules.
• Experience managing complex programs with cost, quality, and schedule accountability.
• Proven ability to coordinate and lead cross-functional teams to achieve program objectives.
• Strong customer-facing communication skills with external stakeholders.
• Ability to support manufacturing execution and production readiness activities.
• Bachelor's degree in a technical discipline preferred.

Responsibilities

• Program and manage existing production programs from planning through execution and delivery.
• Lead weekly Integrated Product Team (IPT) meetings to align cross-functional stakeholders and drive decision-making.
• Develop, maintain, and track detailed project and program schedules using Microsoft Project.
• Drive overall program execution, proactively identifying risks and implementing mitigation plans.
• Coordinate cross-functional teams across engineering, manufacturing, operations, and other support functions.
• Manage customer communications, ensuring timely, clear, and professional updates on program status.
• Serve as the primary customer point of contact for assigned programs, building strong relationships.
• Ensure programs meet established cost, quality, and schedule requirements and performance targets.
• Support manufacturing execution and production readiness activities for aerospace components.
• Provide regular program updates, status reports, and performance metrics to leadership.
• Support contract proposal efforts, including scope definition, schedule development, and cost estimates.
• Collaborate with internal stakeholders to address technical, schedule, and production challenges on active programs.

Skills

Cross-functional leadership

Customer-facing communication

Program management experience

Strong scheduling & risk management

Manufacturing execution support

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering / technical field

Tools

Microsoft Project

Job description

Job Description

This Program Manager role oversees complex, existing production programs in a manufacturing environment, driving execution from planning through delivery. The position leads cross-functional teams, manages customer-facing activities, and ensures that programs consistently meet cost, quality, and schedule requirements. You will play a key role in supporting defense and aerospace-related programs, coordinating internal stakeholders, and serving as the primary point of contact for customers and leadership.

Job Title: Program Manager

This Program Manager role oversees complex, existing production programs in a manufacturing environment, driving execution from planning through delivery. The position leads cross-functional teams, manages customer-facing activities, and ensures that programs consistently meet cost, quality, and schedule requirements. You will play a key role in supporting defense and aerospace-related programs, coordinating internal stakeholders, and serving as the primary point of contact for customers and leadership.

Responsibilities

• Program and manage existing production programs from planning through execution and delivery.
• Lead weekly Integrated Product Team (IPT) meetings to align cross-functional stakeholders and drive decision-making.
• Develop, maintain, and track detailed project and program schedules using Microsoft Project.
• Drive overall program execution, proactively identifying risks and implementing mitigation plans.
• Coordinate cross-functional teams across engineering, manufacturing, operations, and other support functions.
• Manage customer communications, ensuring timely, clear, and professional updates on program status.
• Serve as the primary customer point of contact for assigned programs, building strong, trust-based relationships.
• Ensure programs meet established cost, quality, and schedule requirements and performance targets.
• Support manufacturing execution and production readiness activities for composite and aerospace-related components.
• Provide regular program updates, status reports, and performance metrics to leadership.
• Support contract proposal efforts, including scope definition, schedule development, and cost estimates, as needed.
• Collaborate with internal stakeholders to address technical, schedule, and production challenges on active programs.

Essential Skills

• 5+ years of experience in project and/or program management, preferably in a manufacturing environment.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Project for developing and maintaining project and program schedules.
• Demonstrated experience managing complex programs or projects with cost, quality, and schedule accountability.
• Proven ability to coordinate and lead cross-functional teams to achieve program objectives.
• Strong customer-facing communication skills, with experience managing external stakeholders.
• Ability to support manufacturing execution and production readiness activities.
• Bachelors degree in a technical discipline such as Engineering, Business Administration, Project Management, or a related field preferred.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience in aerospace or defense programs, particularly composites or aircraft projects and programs, is a plus.
• Background in composite manufacturing, aerospace structural components, or aircraft systems is highly desirable.
• Familiarity with aerospace engine programs and F-35 related components is an advantage.
• Customer-facing program management experience in a technical or manufacturing environment.
• Contract proposal and contract management experience supporting program bids and ongoing obligations.
• Strong organizational, analytical, and problem-solving skills with attention to detail.
• Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced, growth-oriented environment with multiple concurrent programs.

Work Environment

The role operates within a growing program management team in a manufacturing environment that supports defense and aerospace programs. The existing team consists of three Program Managers, and this position is part of an expansion driven by business growth and increasing program demands. You will collaborate closely with engineering, manufacturing, and operations teams on programs such as composite manufacturing, aerospace structural components, F-35 related components, aircraft programs, and aerospace engine programs. The organization offers a 9/80 work schedule, providing every other Friday off, which supports work-life balance while maintaining focus on high-performance program execution.

Job Type & Location

This is a Permanent position based out of San Diego, CA.

Pay And Benefits

The pay range for this position is $130000.00 - $145000.00/yr. 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. Health and Insurance Medical Insurance: Standard healthcare plans with affordable out-of-pocket options reported by the majority of employees. Health and Wellness: Access to general medical, dental, and vision coverage. Paid Time Off (PTO) and Leave Sick Days: Sick time and vacation days are completely separate; employees do not have to draw from their vacation balance when out sick. Work-Life Balance: Flexible work arrangements are supported across engineering and manufacturing teams.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Nov 11, 2026.

Workplace Type

This is a fully onsite position in San Diego,CA.

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 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.