Senior Program Manager

American Rheinmetall Vehicles; Auburn Hills (MI); On-site; USD 120,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

American Rheinmetall seeks a Senior Program Manager to lead high-velocity tactical programs focused on robotic and autonomous wheeled vehicle systems for the U.S. Armed Forces.

You will drive programs from contract award through delivery, coordinating engineering, manufacturing, supply chain, and business development to meet mission-critical deadlines. You will manage risk, cost control, and schedule adherence while engaging with subcontractors and government customers, ensuring compliant,

Qualifications

• 10+ years delivering complex US defense programs.
• Experience with program management tools including Earned Value Management and DELTEK.
• Experience leading cross-functional teams and coordinating with suppliers and government customers.
• Proven track record in bid negotiations and delivery planning.

Responsibilities

• Direct support to the Tactical Programs Director and lead end-to-end autonomous/robotic vehicle programs.
• Coordinate cross-functional teams across engineering, production, and business operations.
• Manage subcontractors, suppliers, and government customers to ensure on-time, on-budget delivery.
• Oversee risk, cost control, and schedule adherence while advancing AR PM tools and processes.

Skills

Program management

Leadership

Stakeholder management

Risk management

Budget control

Earned Value

Education

BSc in Engineering or Business

Tools

DELTEK Suite

MS Project

SAP

Job description

Senior Program Manager

American Rheinmetall (AR) is a leader in the design, development, and production of advanced tracked and wheeled vehicles, vehicle systems, and critical components that support U.S. military modernization. Our expertise spans electronic and mechanical systems, fabricated structures, armored products, rubber solutions, and track systems, delivering reliable innovation to both defense and commercial markets at the speed of need. As part of the global Rheinmetall family, we combine proven heritage with forward-looking technology to provide solutions that defend and feed the world.

American Rheinmetall is seeking a dynamic Senior Program Manager to lead the execution of high-velocity tactical programs focused on robotic and autonomous wheeled vehicle systems for the U.S. Armed Forces. This role sits at the intersection of cutting-edge defense technology and operational excellence, driving programs from contract award through delivery in fast-paced, mission-critical environments.

As a key member of the Tactical Programs team, you will serve as the primary program leader responsible for planning, executing, and delivering autonomous ground vehicle programs on schedule and within budget. You will orchestrate complex, multi-disciplinary efforts across Rheinmetall's global enterprise—collaborating with engineering, manufacturing, supply chain, quality, and business development teams—while managing relationships with subcontractors, suppliers, and government customers.

This position demands a leader who thrives in rapid-cycle development programs, balances technical complexity with programmatic discipline, and excels at stakeholder management across military, industry, and internal boundaries. You will be accountable for contract performance, risk management, cost control, and schedule adherence while ensuring that American Rheinmetall delivers world-class robotic capabilities to warfighters.

Essential Functions:

• Direct support to the Tactical Programs Director.
• End-to-end program management of autonomous/robotic wheeled vehicle contracts.
• Cross-functional leadership spanning engineering, production, and business operations.
• Subcontractor and supplier coordination and performance management.
• Customer engagement with U.S. Army, Marine Corps, and other service branches.
• Rapid prototyping, testing, and fielding in compressed timelines
• Financial management, earned value, and contract compliance.
• Lead a team by example, ensuring adherence to all agreed process and operating procedures.
• Support the continued development and maturation of AR Program Management tools and processes.
• Contribute toward AR Capture and Proposal teams in the development of compliant and winning proposals.
• Manage program data elements to ensure on-time delivery to the USG customer, and that configuration of the documents is maintained using Company Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) tools.
• Generate program metrics to support monitoring and control.
• Continuous improvement of processes/efficiencies as well as product portfolio.
• Ability to travel in the US and abroad as required.
• Undertake other duties as tasked by the Program Director or their delegate.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

Assist with mentoring PM and PM Specialist within the Tactical Programs team.

Minimum Qualifications:

Specific knowledge that can be determined objectively; suggested vocabulary below:

• Communication: Must be able to communicate effectively in a variety of settings and be able to assimilate complex instructions easily. Ability to communicate with all levels of management and staff to establish productive relationships. Superior consultation, diplomacy, influencing and negotiating skills are required. Must possess the ability to explain complex concepts in a way that makes sense to someone less knowledgeable about the topic.
• Strategic Thinking and Decisive Judgment: Must demonstrate an enthusiasm to engage with and support overseas colleagues to ensure all staff have the information and opportunity to perform to the best of their abilities.
• Teamwork: Must promote collaboration and facilitate teamwork across the organization and its external service providers. Must be tactful, diplomatic, and work with integrity, honesty, and respect for others.
• Client Oriented: Must display exceptional listening and analytical skills to understand client concerns and needs with the ability to respond promptly and effectively to those needs.
• Leadership: Shall support and encourage performance by motivating individuals and teams to achieve high performance. Will clarify and define the goals and strategies of the organization and successfully communicate this to all. Excellent interpersonal and communication skills are required to work effectively with the US team, suppliers, customers, and corporate parent staff.
• Drive for Results: High level of self-motivation and standards with the ability to multi-task; balancing "analysis" with "doing". Must be adaptable and able to prioritize and work under pressure to meet deadlines. Work on one's own initiative.

Education & Experience

• BSc in Business Administration, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Industrial Engineering or Mechanical Engineering Technology, Vehicle Technology, Systems Engineering or equivalent work experience
• 10+ Years' Experience in delivering complex US Defense programs, preferably in vehicle development domain
• Experience in capture, bid contract negotiations, and planning delivery.
• Experience with program management tools such as Earned Value Management, DELTEK Suite of Program Management Tools, MS Project, SAP - Proficient in Microsoft Office tools
• Experience in working with large cross-functional teams, varying in discipline (Engineering, Product Support, etc.), gathering information for submittal.
• Exceptional oral and written communication skills

Background Prerequisites:

Must undergo and meet company standards for background check, employment verification, reference checks, physical, and controlled substance testing. Candidate must be able to obtain and maintain suitability requirements for access to classified information.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Training in PMP, Agile, Systems Engineering
• Demonstrated ability to lead multi-disciplined, multi-company, geographically distributed team
• Experience in USG Defense deliverable systems, such as ARCUS
• Experience with encryption software helpful
• Knowledge of import and export regulations helpful (ex. ITAR regulations)
• Experience with reviewing documentation for data marking compliance
• Knowledge of DoD processes, and working on US Army programs
• 5+ years minimum data management experience
• Prior experience with system engineering practices to ensure the proper degree of engineering rigor is applied to all assigned tasks

Working Conditions and Physical Demands

With or without reasonable accommodations, requires the physical and mental capacity to perform effectively all essential functions. In addition to other demands, the demands of the job include:

• Ability to lift up to 25 pounds occasionally.
• Ability to support travel of up to 25%. Traveling in the US and abroad as required.
• Ability to perform job in a workspace (close proximity to others)

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement:

American Rheinmetall provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sex (including pregnancy), gender identity, national origin, age, disability, or marital status, in accordance with applicable federal, state and local laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including, but not limited to, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.

Equal employment opportunity, including veterans and individuals with disabilities.

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