Project Manager - New Product Development (Engineering)

Chemring Energetic Devices; Downers Grove (IL); On-site; USD 103,000 - 139,000; Full time

Job summary

Chemring Energetic Devices in Downers Grove, IL, seeks an NPD Project Manager (Engineering) to drive new product development from inception to completion. You will manage scope, schedule, and budget while coordinating across engineering, contracts, and quality teams.

Experience in aerospace/defense and PMP certification are highly valued. The role requires effective leadership, risk management, and communication to ensure timely delivery and alignment with company policies.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering.
• PMP certification, or ability to obtain within 12 months of hire.
• MSME, MBA or related advanced degree preferred.

Responsibilities

• Leads all phases of NPD projects, customer and internally funded.
• Defines clear scope of work and manages scope creep with Contracts/Pricing.
• Employs EVM to manage project schedule and cost.
• Manages risks by identifying risks and developing risk mitigation plans.
• Communicates across functions to manage resources and stakeholder expectations.
• Lead and motivate project team.

Skills

Project management

Earned value management

Cross-functional collaboration

Analytical thinking

MS Office Suite

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering

PMP certification within 12 months

MSME/MBA or related advanced degree preferred

Tools

MS Office Suite

Job description

Description

As Chemring Energetic Devices (CED) celebrates 50 years of building products that protect our country, protect the individual warfighter, and send rockets into outer space, our growth is creating new opportunities to expand our team with talented individuals who want to shape the next era of mission-critical innovation.

CED is well situated in Downers Grove, Illinois - we are located a commuter train ride West of Chicago and a short drive from farmland. CED's current salary range for this role is $102.5k to $138.5k. At CED, it is not typical for an individual to be hired at the top of the range for their role and compensation decisions may vary based upon, but not limited to education, skills, experience, proficiency, performance, shift, location and geography. In addition to base salary, the total compensation package may also include participation in a bonus, commission or incentive program. CED’s benefit offerings include medical, dental, and vision coverage, paid time off, disability insurance, 401(k) with company match, life insurance and other voluntary supplemental insurance coverages, plus parental leave, adoption assistance, tuition assistance and employer/partner discounts.

Job Summary

The NPD Project Manager (Engineering) leads new product development (NPD) projects from the inception to completion. The NPD Project Manager drives the projects on time and budget by employing appropriate project management tools, managing resources and collaborating across departments

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

• Leads all phases of NPD projects, both customer and internally funded
• Defines clear scope of work and effectively manages scope creep by working closely with Contracts/Pricing department
• Employs EVM (earned value management) to manage projects effectively. Creates and manages the project schedule and cost
• Manages risks by identifying risks and developing risk mitigation plan to keep project on track
• Execute projects in accordance with AS-9004 and Chemring’s New Product Development policy and ensures all necessary actions are addressed to keep the projects on course
• Maintains the cadence of reporting, e.g., weekly NPD/PV status, monthly EAC’s and PV status updates, including quarterly NPD reviews with CED’s senior staff
• Effectively communicate across functions to manage necessary resources, ensure collaboration, and set clear stakeholder expectations
• Lead and motivate project team by fostering collaborative environment

Other Job Functions

• Follow all company policies and procedures
• Other duties/responsibilities as assigned
• Comply with government and corporate laws, rules, regulations, policies, and procedures

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY

N/A

EDUCATION

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering
• Current PMP certification, or ability to obtain within 12 months of hire
• Advanced degree or certificate in a related discipline a plus. MSME, MBA, etc. preferred

Experience

Minimum of 5 years of progressive project management experience within Aerospace/Military industry experience

SKILLS And QUALIFICATIONS

• Lawful US person (ITAR)
• Must be eligible to possess explosives under the Safe Explosives Act of 2003 (as amended) as required by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF) for all employees of Chemring Energetic Devices
• Experience and industry knowledge with a background in energetics, prime commercial contractors in the U.S. aerospace, space, and defense industries, preferred, including DoD, NASA, the USAF, and USN desired; experience with similar devices applicable to missiles and space is preferred
• Experience in earned value management of new product development projects
• Expertise in rigorous engineering principles and processes is a mandatory requirement
• Experience and industry knowledge in project management of both internally and externally funded programs. Experience with pyrotechnic devices, energetic materials, or high-pressure gas systems, preferred
• Ability to successfully manage multiple projects simultaneously
• Ability to direct and document design and test activities
• Proficient in the application of systems engineering and project management principles.
• Ability to work in a team setting with peers and cross-functional teams. Solid interpersonal skills with ability to easily communicate, interact, and work across departments and through challenges.
• Ability to make decisions with an analytical approach; a degree of creativity and latitude is expected.
• Proficient with MS Office Suite (e.g., Word, Excel, Power Point, Project, etc.).
• A high degree of business acumen and ability to work independently
• Knowledge of procedures in a safety-focused organization and familiarity with HSE fundamentals is required
• Technical thinker but also pragmatic; quick learner and agile; willing to get involved in detail

Physical And Other Requirements

Lifting, carrying, pushing, pulling, or otherwise moving objects, weighing up to 20 pounds occasionally and/or a negligible amount of weight frequently. Involves sitting much of the time but may involve walking or standing for brief periods of time. Use of computer.

DISCLAIMER

The preceding job description has been designed to indicate the general nature and essential job functions of this position. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications required of employees assigned to this job. Employees will be expected to perform other job functions and duties as may be needed and/or required.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

Chemring Energetic Devices is an equal-opportunity employer. We evaluate applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, disability, veteran status, genetic information, and other legally protected characteristics.

The “Know Your Rights” Poster is available here: EEO Know Your Rights

CED’s EEO Policy Statement is available here: EEO Policy Statement

Chemring Energetic Devices is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities.

If you need a reasonable accommodation because of a disability for any part of the employment process, please send an e-mail to Human Resources at [e-mail] or call 630-969-0620 and let us know the nature of your request and your contact information.