Program Manager

Johnson Controls; Westford (MA); Hybrid; USD 107,000 - 160,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid time off

Benefits package

Cross-training opportunities

Collaborative team environment

Zero Harm safety policy

Job summary

Johnson Controls in Westford, MA is seeking a results-driven Program Manager for Fire Detection NPI in a hybrid role with three days onsite and two remote days. The role oversees end-to-end development, budgets, and governance across software and hardware domains.

The ideal candidate has a strong track record in product development, PMO leadership, and cost-optimization initiatives, with proficiency in Excel, Power BI, and MS Project.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a related engineering field.
• 5+ years in product design and NPI in manufacturing.
• 2+ years in program management.
• Proven track record delivering product development to completion.
• Experience leading VAVE or cost-reduction initiatives.
• PMBOK familiarity and strong decision making.
• Excellent written and verbal communication.

Responsibilities

• Drive end-to-end development and commercialization of NPI projects for fire detection products.
• Oversee all facets of projects, deadlines, responsibilities, and progress summaries.
• Manage budgets, forecasting, tracking, and spend reporting.
• Maintain project portfolios in Enterprise PPM with governance adherence.
• Lead VAVE initiatives to reduce costs and improve design efficiency.
• Develop data-driven reports and dashboards; prepare upper-management reports.

Skills

Project management

Leadership

Communication

Analytical thinking

Teamwork

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering

Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering

Related field

Tools

Microsoft Project

Excel

Power BI

Visio

Jira

Job description

Build your best future with the Johnson Controls team!

Who We Are

Johnson Controls is global leader in smart, healthy, and sustainable buildings. Our mission is to reimagine the performance of buildings to serve people, places, and the planet. Join a winning team that enables you to build your best future! Our teams are uniquely positioned to support a multitude of industries across the globe. You will have the opportunity to develop yourself through meaningful work projects and learning opportunities. We strive to provide our employees with an experience focused on supporting their physical, financial, and emotional wellbeing. Become a member of the Johnson Controls family and thrive in an empowering company culture where your voice and ideas will be heard – your next great opportunity is just a few clicks away!

What We Offer

• Competitive salary
• Paid vacation/holidays/sick time
• Comprehensive benefits package including 401K, medical, dental, and vision care.
• On-the-job/cross-training opportunities
• Encouraging and collaborative team environment
• Dedication to safety through our Zero Harm policy

We are actively seeking a results-driven Program Manager to join our Fire Detection New Product Introduction (NPI) Program Management Office. Based in one of our advanced R&D facilities located in Westford, MA, this role offers a hybrid work environment requiring three days per week onsite and allowing two days of remote work.

What You Will Do

As a key leader, the Program Manager will drive the successful end-to-end development and commercialization of NPI projects delivering innovative fire detection products, spanning both software and hardware domains. This role entails overseeing all facets of projects, establishing deadlines, assigning responsibilities, and monitoring as well as summarizing project progress.

In Addition, This Role Will

• Manage project-level and departmental budgets, including planning, forecasting, tracking, and reporting on spend to ensure alignment with organizational goals.
• Administer and maintain project portfolios within JCI’s Enterprise PPM tool, ensuring accurate project setup, resource allocation, financial tracking, and governance adherence.
• Lead Value Analysis/Value Engineering (VAVE) initiatives to drive cost optimization, design efficiency, and product competitiveness across programs.

How You Will Do It

• You will leverage your extensive experience and sound judgment to strategically plan and accomplish objectives, engaging in a diverse range of tasks.
• Prepare reports for upper management regarding project statuses.
• Apply expert-level Excel and PowerBI skills to develop data-driven reports, build interactive dashboards, and automate workflows that enable actionable business insights.
• Maintain familiarity with various engineering, project management, and product concepts, practices, and procedures.
• Execute tasks with quality and timeliness, whether under direct supervision or independently.
• Establish and sustain effective working relationships across teams.
• Utilize strong organizational navigation skills to facilitate progress and drive results.
• Uphold the organization’s values by promptly escalating issues to the appropriate managers for resolution, sharing best practices across teams, serving as a brand advocate, and mentoring others to foster a supportive work environment.
• Build and maintain positive relationships with all stakeholders, offering assistance with issues or concerns to ensure satisfactory resolution.

Required

What We Look For:

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, or related field.
• 5+ years of professional experience in product design and new product introduction within a manufacturing context (e.g., collaboration with design engineers, manufacturing, sourcing, product management, marketing, etc.).
• 2+ years of experience in program management.
• Proven track record of successfully managing product development projects to completion.
• Demonstrated experience leading Value Analysis / Value Engineering (VAVE) or cost reduction initiatives, with proven ability to deliver measurable cost savings and design improvements in a manufacturing environment.
• Capacity to navigate ambiguity, manage change effectively, transition priorities, and make sound decisions.
• Proficient in Microsoft Project and advanced Excel reporting.
• Exceptional oral and written communication skills, along with strong analytical, writing, and presentation abilities.
• Strong conflict management and critical thinking skills.
• Proven ability to work effectively as part of a team.
• Familiarity with PMI's Project Management Book of Knowledge (PMBOK).
• Meticulous attention to detail and technical accuracy.
• Outstanding organizational and technical competencies.
• Effective interpersonal and multitasking skills.
• Product launch experience is essential.

Preferred

• Project Management Professional (PMP) Certification.
• Proficiency in Visio, Jira, Confluence, and Power BI.
• Experience within the fire protection industry.

SALARY RANGE

$107,000-$160,000 (Salary to be determined by the education, experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities of the applicant, internal equity, and alignment with market data.) This role offers a competitive Bonus plan that will take into account individual, group, and corporate performance. This position includes a competitive benefits package. The posted salary range reflects the target compensation for this role. However, we recognize that exceptional candidates may bring unique skills and experiences that exceed the typical profile. If you believe your background warrants consideration beyond the stated range, we encourage you to apply. To support an efficient and fair hiring process, we may use technology assisted tools, including artificial intelligence (AI), to help identify and evaluate candidates. All hiring decisions are ultimately made by human reviewers. For details, please visit the About Us tab on the Johnson Controls Careers site at https://jobs.johnsoncontrols.com/about-us