Program Manager II

Communications & Power Industries (CPI); Kilgore (TX); On-site; USD 110,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

Communications & Power Industries (CPI) in Plano, Texas, seeks an experienced Program Manager to lead SatCom programs from proposal development through execution. You will oversee NRE-heavy programs, manage budgets, schedules, and performance requirements, and maintain robust configuration control.

The role requires strong leadership, exceptional communication, and the ability to collaborate with engineering, operations, supply chain, and finance.

Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in a technical, engineering-, or business-related field.
• Master’s degree or PMP preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage all phases of SatCom programs from proposal through execution and closeout.
• Analyze program budgets, forecasts, and cost to complete to maximize profit and cash flow.
• Identify, track, and mitigate program risks and opportunities.
• Serve as primary contact for external customers and internal leadership with regular status updates.
• Lead cross-functional teams and develop program plans, budgets, and Schedules.
• Negotiate program decisions with stakeholders to align scope, budgets and timelines.

Skills

Analytical skills

Communication skills

Teamwork & conflict resolution

Travel flexibility

Education

Bachelor’s degree in technical/engineering/business

Master’s degree or PMP

Tools

Microsoft Project

MS Office

ERP systems

Master schedules

Job description

MUST BE A US CITIZEN

You Will Be Accountable For

• Program Management & Execution:
  • Lead and manage all phases of SatCom programs from proposal development through execution and closeout, ensuring timely and successful delivery of projects.
  • Oversee programs with extensive Non-Recurring Engineering (NRE), ensuring effective management throughout the development lifecycle.
  • Develop cohesive program plans that outline clear budgets, schedules, work plans, and performance requirements, ensuring alignment with business and customer goals.
  • Lead and manage all Changes to the Program (Internal and External) to maintain Configuration Control and Secure any changes to the program are funded accordingly and to minimize scope creep.
• Financial Management:
  • Analyze program financial data and maintain a strong understanding of program budgets, forecasts and cost to complete, ensuring adherence to financial objectives while maximizing profit and cash flow.
  • Develop and manage integrated Work Breakdown Structure (WBS)-based budgets and schedule baselines, including management reserves, particularly for advanced development programs or complex subcontracts.
  • Assist in identifying cost drivers and improvement opportunities to maintain or improve program financial health.
• Risk & Opportunity Management:
  • Participate in identifying, tracking and mitigating program risks, elevate issues when necessary.
  • Support risk mitigation strategies and opportunity analysis to enhance program performance.
• Customer and Stakeholder Relations:
  • Serve as the primary point of contact for external customers and internal leadership, providing regular program/product status updates and ensuring customer satisfaction.
  • Coordinate communication across engineering, operations, supply chain, finance, leadership and other key stakeholders to maintain program visibility and momentum.
• Team Leadership & Development:
  • Lead cross-functional teams in the development and execution of program plans, promoting collaboration and alignment across technical, operational, and business functions.
  • Foster a positive and high-performing team environment, guiding team members through conflict resolution, motivation, and team-building activities.
• Program Planning & Scheduling:
  • Develop and maintain integrated program schedules using project management software
  • Track progress against milestones and support corrective actions when delays or risks arise.
  • Contribute to development and upkeep of product-oriented WBS and related documentation.
• Negotiation & Decision-Making:
  • Demonstrate expertise in negotiating program/product decisions with internal and external stakeholders, ensuring alignment on scope, budgets, and timelines.
  • Balance program needs with customer requirements, ensuring satisfaction without compromising technical or business goals.

YOU ARE THE RIGHT PERSON FOR THIS JOB IF YOU HAVE:

• Education:
  • Bachelor’s degree from an accredited university or college in a Technical, Engineering-Related, or Business-Related field of study.
  • Master’s degree or PMP certification is preferred.
• Experience:
  • 5-7 years of experience in technical programs in a manufacturing environment, ideally within SatCom, Telecom, Defense, or Aerospace industries.
  • Experience with programs that include NRE, moderate technical complexity preferred.
  • Familiarity with FAR/DFAR’s and ITAR Regulations preferred
  • Prior experience managing domestic and international programs preferred
  • Proficient in Microsoft Project, MS Office and Familiarity with creating and maintaining Master Schedules using project management software and working knowledge of ERP systems and related processes.
  • Working knowledge of program cot tracking and schedule performance tools.
• Skills & Competencies:
  • Ability to lead and manage programs under various contract types including Firm-Fixed Price (FFP), Cost-Reimbursable, and Commercial.
  • Strong analytical skills with the ability to develop and maintain program plans, budgets, schedules.
  • Solid risk and opportunity management and problem-solving skills.
  • Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to present complex information to leadership and customers clearly.
  • Ability to assess quality of deliverables and ensure compliance with requirements.
  • Demonstrated teamwork, conflict-resolution, and interpersonal skills.
  • Must be able to travel as needed

U.S. Citizenship Required: Due to government contract and facility security requirements, this position is limited to U.S. citizens. Candidates requiring employment authorization through an EAD, visa, or other non-citizen work authorization are not eligible for consideration.

Desired Skills

• Experience in SatCom, Telecom, aerospace or defense industries is highly desirable. Candidates with other relevant experience will also be considered.
• Knowledge of contract management and government regulations related to satellite communications programs is a plus.
• Familiarity with satellite system architecture, payload development, or space-based communication technologies is beneficial.
• International Program Management Experience desired

SHAPING THE FUTURE THROUGH INNOVATION AND DISCOVERY!

With a history spanning more than seven decades, Communications & Power Industries’ thousands of products have impacted people’s lives in numerous unseen ways every day. Our highly engineered products serve as the backbone of modern-day commercial and military communications systems, assist in diagnosing medical conditions, empower scientific discoveries and space exploration, and much more.

CPI is headquartered in Plano, Texas and is a global manufacturer of electronic components and subsystems. We have manufacturing locations in the United States, Canada, Europe, and Asia. With a heritage of technological excellence, our team serves customers in the communications, defense, medical, industrial, and scientific markets.

What We Offer

Whether you are a seasoned professional or just embarking on your career, CPI is an ideal place to expand your knowledge and expertise. We cultivate a healthy, dynamic, and team-oriented environment that empowers our employees to develop, create and deliver innovative, reliable technology solutions to power, connect, protect, and support a better tomorrow.

We offer our employees an attractive compensation package with competitive salaries and comprehensive benefits, including health and wellness programs, career development, generous retirement savings plan with company match and more!

Who We Are

We value the unique and diverse skills, qualities, and backgrounds that each employee brings to CPI, and we respect each employee as an integral member of our growing team. CPI is committed to providing equal employment opportunities for all current and prospective employees, as well as to promoting a culture of inclusion and respect for everyone. We celebrate the innovation that diversity creates in the work environment, and we recognize that each employee brings their own unique capabilities, experiences, and perspectives to the organization. It is this variety that adds value to our teams, as well as to our stakeholders. We welcome and encourage applicants to reach their full potential with us.

CPI is proud to be an Equal Opportunity and Affiant employer. We do not discriminate based upon race, religion, color, national origin, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, transgender status, sexual stereotypes, age, status as a protected veteran, status as an individual with a disability or other applicable legally protected characteristics.