Program Manager - Defense

Wolfspeed; Durham (NC); In loco; USD 120.000 - 180.000; Tempo pieno

Descrizione del lavoro

Wolfspeed is seeking a results-driven Program Manager to lead defense contractor programs from award through delivery. You will coordinate with engineering, operations and procurement to maintain schedules, track milestones, and drive accountability across prime and sub-tier teams.

The role demands 7+ years in program management within defense contracting, strong negotiation skills, and a proven ability to navigate complex organizational processes. A U.S.

Competenze

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Business, or a related technical field.
• 7+ years of program management experience, with at least 5 years inside a defense contractor.
• Deep understanding of defense prime contractor operations, processes, incentives, culture, and decision-making structures.
• Proven track record driving results and holding teams/partners accountable in a contractor environment.
• Strong negotiation, communication, and influencing skills with large organizations.
• Experience managing Integrated Master Schedules and multi-milestone programs.
• Active U.S. Secret Security Clearance (or ability to obtain).

Mansioni

• Serve as Wolfspeed's primary contact with defense prime and sub-tier contractor program teams and hold them to schedules.
• Manage end-to-end program execution from award to delivery and acceptance.
• Maintain Integrated Master Schedules and track milestones across programs.
• Lead regular program reviews, status calls, and action item tracking with contractor teams.
• Coordinate with engineering, operations, and supply chain to meet contractor demand.
• Build deep, trusted relationships with defense program managers and procurement teams.

Conoscenze

Program management

Negotiation

Communication

Influencing

Stakeholder management

IMS

Formazione

Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Business, or related field

Descrizione del lavoro

At Wolfspeed, we do amazing things in a human way.We know that the achievements of our organization are due to the passion, hard work and creativity of our employees. We celebrate different perspectives to foster excellence across our organization, and our goal is to make diversity a foundation of what we do. We are proudly building an environment where you can bring your authentic self to work.Enjoy doing things that people say can’t be done? Innovation is at the center of everything we do.Hate red tape? We remove roadblocks instead of creating them.Working parent? We provide childcare assistance and paid parental leave.Student? We offer continuing education assistance.Looking for community? There are many ways to get involved, from Employee Resource Groups to local outreachThe Day-to-Day:Wolfspeed is seeking a results-driven Program Manager to own and accelerate program delivery through Wolfspeed's defense contractor partners. Working alongside an existing team that manages U.S. government program office relationships, this role is squarely focused on driving performance, accountability, and outcomes with prime defense contractors. The ideal candidate has worked inside a defense contractor, understands how these organizations operate, and knows how to cut through complexity to get things done.Key ResponsibilitiesContractor Performance & AccountabilityServe as Wolfspeed's primary point of contact with defense prime and sub-tier contractor program teamsHold contractors accountable to committed schedules, technical deliverables, and quality standardsProactively identify and escalate risks, delays, or gaps in contractor performance before they impact program outcomesDrive resolution of technical, contractual, and schedule issues across contractor organizationsProgram ExecutionManage program execution end-to-end — from contract award through delivery and acceptance — with a relentless focus on resultsMaintain Integrated Master Schedules (IMS) and track milestones across multiple concurrent contractor-driven programsLead regular program reviews, status calls, and action item tracking with contractor teamsCoordinate with Wolfspeed's engineering, operations, and supply chain functions to ensure internal readiness supports contractor demandRelationship ManagementBuild deep, trusted working relationships with defense contractor program managers, engineering leads, and procurement teamsLeverage knowledge of how prime contractors operate internally to navigate their processes efficiently and advocate for Wolfspeed's prioritiesRepresent Wolfspeed professionally and credibly in environments where the other side of the table is a large, experienced defense organizationBusiness Development SupportIdentify expansion opportunities within existing contractor relationships and feed them to business developmentSupport proposal and pricing efforts for follow-on programs with current defense contractor customersRequired QualificationsBachelor's degree in Engineering, Business, or a related technical field7+ years of program management experience, with at least 5 years inside a defense contractor (prime or significant sub-tier)Deep understanding of how defense prime contractors operate — their internal processes, incentives, culture, and decision-making structuresDemonstrated track record of driving results and holding teams/partners accountable in a contractor environmentStrong negotiation, communication, and influencing skills — comfortable pushing back on large organizations professionally and effectivelyExperience managing Integrated Master Schedules and multi-milestone program plansActive U.S. Secret Security Clearance (or ability to obtain)Preferred QualificationsPrior employment at a recognized defense primeExperience on programs involving one or more of the following defense application areas:Power electronics (high-voltage, high-frequency power conversion and management)Directed energy (high-power lasers or high-power microwave systems)Radar systems (airborne, ground-based, or naval radar platforms)Naval electrification (shipboard power distribution, electric propulsion, or energy storage systems)Electronic warfare (EW systems, signal intelligence, or RF subsystems)Familiarity with DFARS, FAR, and defense contract types (FFP, CPFF, T&M)Experience with ITAR and export-controlled program environmentsWhat Sets This Role ApartYou'll work with the most sophisticated defense organizations in the world — and you'll need to earn their respect while pushing them for results. Wolfspeed's Silicon Carbide (SiC) technology is a critical enabler for next-generation defense platforms, and this role puts you at the center of translating that technology into fielded capability across directed energy, radar, naval electrification, and electronic warfare programs.This role may require additional duties and/or assignments as designated by management.To put it legally - Wolfspeed is an equal opportunity employer.We recruit, employ, train, compensate and promote regardless of race, sex, religion, color, national origin, disability, age, veteran status, gender identity, sexual orientation and other protected status as required by law.We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.