Program Manager, Custom Machinery (Engineered-to-Order)

NPAworldwide; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 140,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

NPAworldwide, based in Addison, IL, is seeking a hands-on Program Manager for capital equipment manufacturing to own engineered-to-order programs from customer PO through delivery. The role requires close collaboration with Engineering, Manufacturing, Supply Chain, Procurement and Quality, and reports to executive leadership.

You will lead multi-function teams on schedules, budgets and risk, drive Stage-Gate development, and oversee transitions from design to manufacturing in a lean,

Qualifications

• 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.
• Direct customer-facing experience, including 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.

Responsibilities

• 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, and make the 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. This is a hands-on role, not a role managed from a schedule.
• Ensure customer requirements, technical specifications, quality standards, and delivery commitments are met.
• Drive continuous improvement in program execution, communication, and project management practice.

Skills

Program management

Cross-functional leadership

Risk management

Scheduling

Customer communications

Microsoft Project

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Manufacturing, Business, or another technical discipline

Tools

Microsoft Project

Job description

NPAworldwide, based in Addison, IL, is seeking a hands-on Program Manager for capital equipment manufacturing to own engineered-to-order programs from customer PO through delivery. The role requires close collaboration with Engineering, Manufacturing, Supply Chain, Procurement and Quality, and reports to executive leadership.

You will lead multi-function teams on schedules, budgets and risk, drive Stage-Gate development, and oversee transitions from design to manufacturing in a lean,