Program Manager - Bilstein Defense

ThyssenKrupp Bilstein of America; Hamilton (OH); On-site; USD 110,000 - 160,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

State-of-the-art plant facilities

Health, Dental & Vision plans

401K matching

Paid time off + holidays

Tuition reimbursement

Gym reimbursement

Disability & life insurance

Internal growth opportunities

Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

Product discounts

Job summary

thyssenkrupp Bilstein of America, Inc. in Hamilton, OH seeks a Program Manager to drive growth and lead program execution for BILSTEIN Defense.

You will manage opportunities from pursuit through production, coordinating engineering changes and delivering on commercial, technical, quality, timing, and profitability objectives. The role requires expanding relationships with customers, suppliers, and partners, and leading cross-functional teams across lifecycle stages, with travel as needed and a

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in engineering or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Extensive Defense, heavy vehicle, and automotive industry experience with progressive leadership responsibility.
• Proven success leading large, complex programs from capture through execution and delivery.
• Strong knowledge of project management methodologies, tools, and best practices.
• Drives strategic growth through customer relationship management, capture planning, proposal development, contract negotiations, and identification of new business opportunities.
• Proven ability to build and maintain executive-level customer relationships, driving satisfaction, partnerships, and revenue growth.
• Strong track record of collaborating with customers, suppliers, leadership, and cross-functional teams to deliver objectives.
• Action-oriented leader with problem-solving, decision-making, and organizational skills.
• Effective communicator with executive presentation experience and ability to influence stakeholders at all levels.
• Technically proficient and comfortable participating in engineering and product development discussions.
• Capable of managing multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment with minimal supervision.
• Willing to travel domestically and internationally as required.
• Highly proficient in Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Project

Responsibilities

• Identify, pursue, and secure new defense and military vehicle business opportunities.
• Build and maintain relationships with customers, government agencies, OEMs, suppliers, and industry partners.
• Lead capture activities, proposal development, pricing strategies, business cases, and contract support.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to develop competitive solutions and support long-term growth strategies.
• Monitor market trends and represent BILSTEIN Defense at customer and industry events.
• Lead cross-functional teams through program launch, development, production, and customer support.
• Manage program scope, schedules, budgets, risks, profitability, and customer requirements.
• Track project performance, drive issue resolution, and implement corrective actions as needed.
• Provide regular program updates to leadership and ensure adherence to PM processes.
• Coordinate engineering changes, maintain project documentation, and support travel as required.

Skills

Leadership

Strategic planning

Customer relationship mgmt

Proposal development

Negotiation

Cross-functional collaboration

Public speaking

Travel readiness

Education

Bachelor's degree in engineering

Tools

Microsoft Word

Microsoft Excel

PowerPoint

Microsoft Project

Job description

Company

thyssenkrupp Bilstein of America, Inc. is a world class manufacturer of suspension solutions headquartered in Hamilton, Ohio USA. thyssenkrupp Bilstein of America supplies products to a wide range of Original Equipment Automotive Manufacturers as well as Aftermarket and Motorsports customers. Our Aftermarket operations are based out of Poway, CA and our Motorsports operations are based out of Mooresville, NC.

For decades, the name BILSTEIN has been synonymous with high tech in suspension design, driving comfort, and safety. In order to expand this position BILSTEIN became a division of thyssenkrupp Technologies AG in 1988, and a wholly owned subsidiary in 2005. This partnership has enabled us to continue the BILSTEIN tradition of excellence.

Your responsibilities

Position Summary

The Program Manager is responsible for driving business growth and leading program execution for BILSTEIN Defense. Serving as the primary customer interface, this role manages opportunities from initial pursuit through production and ongoing support, ensuring achievement of commercial, technical, quality, timing, and profitability objectives.

Key Responsibilities

Business Development

• Identify, pursue, and secure new defense and military vehicle business opportunities.
• Build and maintain relationships with customers, government agencies, OEMs, suppliers, and industry partners.
• Lead capture activities, proposal development, pricing strategies, business cases, and contract support.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to develop competitive solutions and support long‑term growth strategies.
• Monitor market trends and represent BILSTEIN Defense at customer and industry events.

Program Management

• Lead cross-functional teams through program launch, development, production, and customer support.
• Manage program scope, schedules, budgets, risks, profitability, and customer requirements.
• Track project performance, drive issue resolution, and implement corrective actions as needed.
• Provide regular program updates to leadership and ensure adherence to established project management processes.
• Coordinate engineering changes, maintain project documentation, and support domestic and international travel as required.

Your profile

Selection Criteria:

• Bachelor's degree in engineering or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Extensive Defense, heavy vehicle, and automotive industry experience with progressive leadership responsibility.
• Proven success leading large, complex programs from capture through execution and delivery.
• Strong knowledge of project management methodologies, tools, and best practices.
• Drives strategic business growth through customer relationship management, capture planning, proposal development, contract negotiations, and identification of new business opportunities.
• Proven ability to build and maintain executive‑level customer relationships, driving customer satisfaction, long‑term partnerships, and revenue growth.
• Strong track record of collaborating with customers, suppliers, leadership, and cross‑functional teams to deliver business and program objectives.
• Action‑oriented leader with strong problem‑solving, decision‑making, and organizational skills.
• Effective communicator with executive presentation experience and the ability to influence stakeholders at all levels.
• Technically proficient and comfortable participating in engineering and product development discussions.
• Capable of managing multiple priorities in a fast‑paced environment with minimal supervision.
• Willing to travel domestically and internationally as required.
• Highly proficient in Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Project

The [above] is intended to describe the general content of and requirements for the performance of this job. It is not to be construed as an exhaustive statement of duties, responsibilities, or requirements. To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Your benefits

Bilstein has great benefits to offer!

• A state‑of‑the‑art OE manufacturing plant with a strong focus on safety and cleanliness.
• Multiple competitive Health, Dental & Vision Coverage options.
• 401K matching program.
• Paid time off + 13 paid holidays.
• Paid volunteer hours.
• Tuition reimbursement program.
• Gym reimbursement.
• Company‑paid short‑term disability and life insurance.
• Internal growth opportunities.
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP).
• Discounted BILSTEIN products.

Contact

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