Senior Ship Design Program Manager (Hybrid)

TAI Engineers, LLC.; Houston (TX); Hybrid; USD 170,000 - 210,000; Full time

Job summary

TAI Engineers, LLC is seeking a Program Manager 4 to lead large, complex ship design programs. You will oversee program planning, budgeting, scheduling, and resource deployment while coordinating with executives to deliver high-quality outcomes.

Strong leadership, communication, and government contracting knowledge are essential. You will manage executive-level relationships, forecast resources, and drive risk mitigation across multiple programs, ensuring on-time delivery within funding

Qualifications

• Minimum 10 years of experience in program management, project engineering, production design, or technical program execution in a marine or government contracting environment.
• Minimum 5 years of shipyard construction experience.
• Expert knowledge of program planning, budget management, resource optimization, and schedule control for ship design programs.
• Advanced knowledge of ship design and construction practices, classification society requirements (ABS, DNV), and applicable government regulations (USCG, NAVSEA).
• Demonstrated ability to manage executive-level customer relationships, lead high-performing program teams, and resolve complex programmatic issues.
• Proficiency with project planning tools and ERP software (e.g., Primavera, Microsoft Project, Deltek).
• Excellent leadership, organizational, and communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Leading the full program execution of large, complex, or multiple concurrent ship design programs to ensure goals are accomplished within prescribed time frames and funding parameters.
• Developing, owning, and managing comprehensive program plans including objectives, schedules, funding parameters, staffing requirements, risk registers, and contractual obligations.
• Serving as the senior customer interface for all assigned programs; managing executive-level customer relationships and ensuring high levels of customer satisfaction.
• Planning, forecasting, and deploying program resources — engineers, designers, project managers, and technical staff — to optimize performance across all program phases.
• Managing program budgets and cost performance; conducting trend and variance analyses and implementing corrective actions to maintain cost and schedule baselines.
• Leading development and management of program execution strategies including vendor and subcontractor support, contract management, and make/buy decisions.
• Proactively identifying, assessing, and managing program risks and issues; developing and implementing mitigation strategies and escalating critical issues as appropriate.
• Leading and coordinating all program staffing activities; directing the assignment, and performance management of program team members.
• Directing program teams across all disciplines; providing strategic guidance, mentoring, and accountability for program performance.
• Ensuring Company performance against all contractual commitments; managing scope change control and negotiating change orders with customers.
• Coordinating with department directors and discipline managers to resolve complex technical and resource conflicts across programs.
• Reviewing and approving program status reports, deliverable registers, earned value reports, and customer-facing documentation.
• Leading program reviews, milestone briefings, and technical interchange meetings with customers and executive leadership.
• Using financial reporting, earned value data, and performance measures to forecast program outcomes and develop proactive recovery plans.
• Ensuring all programs adhere to Company project methodology standards, quality requirements, and compliance obligations.
• Leading or contributing to proposal development including program plans, staffing estimates, and cost volume inputs.
• Driving continuous improvement of program management tools, processes, and reporting practices across the organization.
• Evaluating programs upon close-out; capturing lessons learned and implementing improvements.
• Adhering to all Company safety, environmental, quality assurance, and security programs.
• Mentoring Program Managers and project management personnel at all levels.
• Performing other related activities as directed.

Skills

Program management

Budget management

Resource forecasting

Schedule control

Leadership

Customer relationships

Communication

ERP software

Primavera

Microsoft Project

Deltek

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Engineering/ Naval Architecture/ PM/ Business Administration

Master's Degree in Engineering Management or MBA (preferred)

PMP certification (preferred)

Tools

Primavera

Microsoft Project

Deltek

Job description

TAI Engineers, LLC is seeking a Program Manager 4 to lead large, complex ship design programs. You will oversee program planning, budgeting, scheduling, and resource deployment while coordinating with executives to deliver high-quality outcomes.

Strong leadership, communication, and government contracting knowledge are essential. You will manage executive-level relationships, forecast resources, and drive risk mitigation across multiple programs, ensuring on-time delivery within funding