Senior Program Manager

Socket.dev; Garden Grove (CA); On-site; USD 145,000 - 165,000; Full time

Job summary

Winchester Interconnect Corporation seeks a Senior Program Manager to own the full program lifecycle for our critical aerospace and defense accounts. You will serve as the primary customer contact and voice of the customer within the facility, leading NPI projects, managing requirements, and ensuring flawless production execution.

The ideal candidate has 7-10+ years in program or product management, a strong technical background, and experience with AS9100 or similar aerospace quality systems.

Qualifications

• 7-10+ years of experience in Program Management, Product Management, or Key Account Management.
• PMP certification preferred with emphasis in Critical Chain Project Management; P&L experience a plus.
• Experience in aerospace/space/defense or high-reliability electronics manufacturing.

Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end program lifecycle for key aerospace/defense accounts.
• Develop customer roadmaps and drive productivity and margin expansion.
• Manage NPI projects and cross-functional teams to meet internal/external metrics.

Skills

Program management

PMP certification

Customer relationship

NPI leadership

Technical reading

Education

Bachelor's in Engineering or Business

MBA (nice to have)

Tools

ERP systems

CRM systems

MS Office

Job description

*At Winchester Interconnect, we always do the right thing, the right way.**

Winchester Interconnect is committed to inspiring the most innovative teams. We foster a dynamic, inclusive environment that thrives on collaboration and continuous growth. We hire exceptional people, celebrate wins, empower employee growth, and provide opportunities to thrive. Winchester is where potential transforms into purpose, and every team member plays a vital role in shaping our shared success.

Position Summary

As our Senior Program Manager, you will serve as the strategic and tactical owner for our most critical aerospace and defense customer accounts. This is a high-visibility leadership role where you will be responsible for the entire program lifecycle, acting as the primary point of contact for the customer and the "voice of the customer" within our facility. You will manage all customer activities, from leading New Product Introduction (NPI) projects and managing technical requirements to ensuring flawless execution on the production floor. You will use your business acumen to develop customer roadmaps, drive productivity/margin expansion, and collaborate with Business Development to ensure profitable sales growth. The ideal candidate is a hands‑on leader with a strong technical background and a proven ability to manage complex projects and high-value customer relationships. This position reports to the Senior Director, Strategic Programs. You will act as the bridge between key clients and the internal organization. This role involves capturing client requirements, developing program roadmaps, and leading a cross-functional team to meet both internal and external metrics and objectives.

Qualifications & Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering or business; an advanced degree (MBA) is a strong plus.
• 7-10+ years of experience in Program Management, Product Management, or Key Account Management.
• PMP certification is preferred with a strong emphasis in Critical Chain Project Management. Experience in P&L Management is a plus.
• Required experience in the space, aerospace, defense, or high-reliability electronic manufacturing industry.
• Strong technical knowledge of interconnect products, complex wire harnesses, overmolded assemblies, and cable assemblies.
• Demonstrated competency in product quoting, pricing strategies, and P&L (Profit & Loss) management.
• Proven ability to lead New Product Introduction (NPI) projects and manage the full product lifecycle.
• Experience with AS9100 or similar aerospace quality management systems is highly preferred.
• Strong ability to read and interpret technical data packages (TDPs), blueprints, and specifications.
• Must be a U.S. Citizen or Permanent Resident (Green Card Holder) to comply with ITAR regulations.
• Exceptional organizational, project management, and analytical skills; ability to develop and manage Gantt charts and program timelines.
• Polished communication, negotiation, and interpersonal skills, with the ability to represent the company with integrity and professionalism.
• Proficient with Microsoft Office (Word, PowerPoint, strong proficiency in Excel) and ERP/MRP & CRM systems.

Our core values - Accountability, Collaboration, and Empowerment (ACE) - are the foundation of how we operate and drive success. You will take ownership of your contributions, collaborate with a team that gets stuff done, and be empowered to innovate and pursue bold initiatives that drive our business forward.

Are You Our Next ACE?

• Develop and execute customer strategies to drive Year-over-Year (YOY) revenue growth and achieve targeted Gross Margins; you are empowered to execute all business initiatives required to generate demand and profitable growth.
• Serve as the central bridge and primary liaison between the customer and all internal functions (Operations, Production, Supply Chain, Planning, Engineering, Quality and Sales), managing the relationship across all customer stakeholders.
• Lead all New Product Introduction (NPI) projects for your accounts, serving as the customer champion for innovation, managing the program’s lifecycle from concept to full-rate production, and ensuring successful NPI expansion.
• Provide end-to-end project support, including the management of all customer documentation, to ensure quality products are delivered on time to the customer’s standards.
• Lead the request for quote (RFQ) process by validating the Technical Data Package (TDP), coordinating with internal teams to establish costs, developing pricing, and delivering formal proposals.
• Manage the contract review process for new orders, actively monitor internal production schedules, and prioritize jobs to support customer needs, providing timely and accurate status updates.
• Lead all customer reviews (e.g., QBRs, design reviews), disseminate meeting notes, and drive all post-meeting follow-up actions to completion.
• Process and manage all customer change orders, ensuring that all cost, schedule, and technical impacts are captured, quoted, and communicated effectively.
• Partner with the Sales team to gather valuable Voice of the Customer (VoC), market trends, and competitive landscape intelligence to identify new profitable opportunities and support future product roadmaps.
• Comply with all company policies and procedures.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Systems You’ll Use

• Google Workspace / ADP / Syspro / QMS / Smartviews / Salesforce / Planful / AwardCo

Pay Transparency

Winchester Interconnect Corporation is committed to pay transparency. The pay range for this position is $145,000 - $165,000 per year plus 15% AIP. Exact salary will be contingent upon your experience, education, skills, and any other factors Winchester Interconnect Corporation considers relevant to the hiring decision.

*Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities. In addition to federal law requirements, Winchester Interconnect complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities.*

*Winchester Interconnect expressly prohibits any form of workplace harassment based on race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, genetic information, disability, or veteran status.*