Program Manager

shapecareers; Trenton (OH); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

ShapeCareers is seeking a proactive Program Manager to lead high-visibility, customer-facing initiatives within a fast-paced aerospace environment. You will coordinate between customers, leadership, engineering, operations, and manufacturing to ensure on-time execution and clear communication.

The role emphasizes ownership, structured problem solving, and the ability to adapt to shifting priorities while driving schedules, risks, and cross-functional tasks to closure.

Qualifications

• Minimum of one year post undergraduate degree experience in a project team or process/manufacturing engineering role.
• Bachelor's of Science in Engineering or Business Administration.
• Masters of Business Administration preferred.
• Must meet ITAR Compliance.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to interact with associates and customers at all levels.
• Proficient with Microsoft Office applications.
• Ability to interpret and analyze technical procedures and customer specifications.
• Independent and organized work style with time management.

Responsibilities

• Manage program with scope provided.
• Summarize and report project status to teammates.
• Initiate and manage production and prototype engineering requests.
• Develop and utilize the open issues matrix.
• Develop an open issues list with assigned task owners and required due dates.
• Manage projects as defined with assistance from the Senior Program Manager.
• Communicate program timeliness to internal company departments.
• Ensure the program team maintains all PRP forms, program management tracking documents, and customer APQP documents, including appropriate storage.
• Complete the tracking, documentation and monitoring of all aspects of the PCR/ECN process for a specific program.
• Ensure relevant documents are amended and relevant personnel are made aware of the change requirements.
• Conduct timely and meaningful performance evaluations for direct reports, and provide input into the performance evaluations of associates reporting under indirect supervision.
• Help set the direction for team members and hold individuals accountable to performance standards and strategic objectives.
• Identify and train a back-up(s) to manage key tasks when absent.
• Additional functions not specifically outlined in this position description as directed by the leader.

Skills

Project management

Communication

Cross-functional leadership

ITAR Compliance

MS Office proficiency

Education

BS in Engineering

BS in Business Administration

MBA (preferred)

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Position Summary:

We're partnering with a rapidly growing manufacturer supporting some of the most innovative launch vehicle and satellite programs in the commercial aerospace industry and are seeking a highly driven Program Manager to lead critical customer-facing initiatives.

This is not a traditional program management role. We're looking for a leader who thrives in fast-paced environments, embraces ambiguity, and can drive execution across complex, high-visibility programs. The successful candidate will serve as the central point of coordination between customers, leadership, engineering, operations, and manufacturing teams, ensuring programs remain on track while navigating evolving priorities and aggressive timelines.

The ideal candidate brings a strong ownership mentality and a proven ability to transform complex challenges into structured execution plans. This individual will be responsible for managing program scope, schedules, risks, and cross-functional activities while maintaining clear communication with both internal stakeholders and customers. Success in this role requires sound decision-making, adaptability, and the ability to execute with urgency in an environment where priorities can shift quickly

Essential Job Functions include, but not limited to, the following:

• Manage program with scope provided.
• Summarize and report project status to teammates.
• Initiate and manage production and prototype engineering requests.
• Develop and utilize the open issues matrix.
• Develop an open issues list with assigned task owners and required due dates
• Manage projects as defined with assistance from the Senior Program Manager.
• Communicate program timeliness to internal company departments.
• Ensure the program team maintains all PRP forms, program management tracking documents, and customer APQP documents, including appropriate storage.
• Complete the tracking, documentation and monitoring of all aspects of the PCR/ECN process for a specific program.
• Ensure relevant documents are amended and relevant personnel are made aware of the change requirements.
• Conduct timely and meaningful performance evaluations for direct reports, and provide input into the performance evaluations of associates reporting under indirect supervision.
• Help set the direction for team members and hold individuals accountable to performance standards and strategic objectives.
• Identify and train a back-up(s) to manage key tasks when absent.
• Additional functions not specifically outlined in this position description as directed by the leader.

Position Skills and Experience Requirements:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty effectively. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential job functions.

• Minimum of one year post undergraduate degree experience in a project team or process/manufacturing engineering role.
• Bachelors of Science in Engineering or Business Administration.
• Masters of Business Administration preferred.
• MUST meet ITAR Compliance
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to effectively interact with associates and customers at all levels.
• Proficient with Microsoft Office applications.
• Ability to interpret and analyze technical procedures and customer specifications.
• Independent and organized work style: effectively manages time and prioritizes multiple tasks.
• Ability to create project plans and timelines based on input from other team members.
• Understand task dependencies and each task’s potential to impact project timing.
• Prior experience managing or coaching less experienced team members.