Program Manager – Custom Machine Builds – Precision Capital Equipment Manuf

Software Placement Group, SPG; Addison (IL); On-site; USD 110,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

Software Placement Group, SPG is seeking a Program Manager in Addison, IL for a hands-on, on-site role overseeing complex engineered-to-order manufacturing programs from concept through production and delivery. You will be the primary customer contact, align functions, manage schedules and budgets, and drive continuous improvement in program execution.

The role operates in a growth phase with a move to a new facility and expansion to two shifts, reporting into executive leadership.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Manufacturing, Business, or a technical field.
• Minimum 5 years of manufacturing project/program management experience.
• Experience with Stage-Gate or similar phased-gate development is preferred.
• Direct customer-facing experience and program reviews are required.

Responsibilities

• Own complex engineered-to-order programs from concept to production and delivery.
• Be the primary customer contact, managing expectations and risk.
• Develop and manage schedules, budgets, milestones, and resources.
• Lead cross-functional alignment across Engineering, Manufacturing, Supply Chain, and Quality.
• Identify risks early and drive corrective actions to protect commitments.
• Lead new product development through a phased-gate process.
• Oversee transition of products from design into manufacturing and on the plant floor.

Skills

Cross-functional leadership

Program management

Risk management

Schedule management

Executive communication

Problem solving

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering/Manufacturing/Business

Tools

Microsoft Project

Job description

Location: Addison, IL (Greater Chicago Area) | Schedule: Full-time, on-site

Overview

A well-established global precision manufacturing organization specializing in capital equipment is seeking an experienced Program Manager to own complex, cross-functional manufacturing programs from initial planning and engineering through production, delivery, and customer implementation. This is a hands-on, onsite role based in the northwest Chicago suburbs, with no relocation assistance provided. The organization is entering a period of significant growth, including a move into a new purpose-built manufacturing facility, an expansion from one shift to two, and active pursuit of acquisition, making this a highly visible position reporting into executive leadership.

What you'll do

• Own complex manufacturing and engineered-equipment programs from concept through production, delivery, and customer implementation
• Serve as the primary program contact for the customer, managing expectations, communicating status and risk, and leading program reviews
• Build and manage program schedules, budgets, milestones, resources, and deliverables, making tradeoff decisions required to protect commitments
• Drive alignment across Engineering, Manufacturing, Supply Chain, Procurement, and Quality, holding functional partners accountable to program dates
• Identify program risks early, remove roadblocks, and drive corrective action before schedule impact occurs
• Manage multiple concurrent programs and deliver clear, direct status reporting to executive leadership
• Lead new product development activity through a Stage-Gate or comparable phased-gate process
• Own the transition of engineered products and equipment from design into manufacturing
• Work on the plant floor alongside engineering and production teams in a hands-on capacity
• Ensure customer requirements, technical specifications, quality standards, and delivery commitments are met
• Drive continuous improvement in program execution, communication, and project management practice

Required qualifications

• Direct experience owning engineered-to-order or custom machine builds from customer PO through factory acceptance test and delivery, in a machine tool, capital equipment, automation, or fabrication environment
• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Manufacturing, Business, or another technical discipline
• Minimum 5 years of manufacturing project management experience overall
• Minimum 2 years in a full lifecycle Program Manager role, owning programs from concept through customer delivery
• Stage-Gate or comparable phased-gate new product development experience
• Strong understanding of manufacturing processes and how Engineering and Operations interact
• Demonstrated experience managing complex, cross-functional technical programs
• Direct customer-facing experience, including leading program reviews and managing customer expectations through change and risk
• Proven command of program schedules, budgets, resources, risk, and deliverables
• Strong leadership, communication, and problem-solving skills
• Experience with Microsoft Project or comparable program management tools

Preferred qualifications

• Background in industrial machinery, automation, robotics, machine tools, engineered-to-order equipment, or capital equipment manufacturing

Why this role

This is a highly visible role reporting into executive leadership at an organization entering a period of significant growth, where the Program Manager has real influence over how programs are run rather than inheriting a process they simply administer.