Senior Technical Program Manager

Compass Systems; Johnstown (Cambria County); On-site; USD 120,000 - 165,000; Full time

Job summary

Compass Systems Inc. in Johnstown, PA is seeking a Senior Technical Program Manager with an engineering background to lead and support complex programs in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.

You will oversee project execution across engineering, production, quality and operations, ensuring technical requirements, schedules, deliverables and customer expectations are met. The ideal candidate has hands-on engineering experience and strong project leadership, with prior work in defense,

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering or related technical field.
• PMP certification or formal project management training.
• 5+ years of experience in project management, manufacturing engineering, or technical program leadership.
• Prior experience supporting DoD, aerospace, government contracting, or other highly regulated environments.
• Strong understanding of engineering principles, manufacturing processes, and system integration activities.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, including customer-facing interaction and technical reporting.
• Ability to obtain and maintain any required security clearances.

Responsibilities

• Lead cross-functional technical projects supporting manufacturing, integration, and production operations.
• Manage project scope, schedules, deliverables, risks, and resource planning across multiple programs.
• Coordinate activities between engineering, production, quality assurance, supply chain, and program stakeholders to ensure successful project execution.
• Support the development, integration, testing, and deployment of hardware and electro-mechanical systems.
• Facilitate project meetings, status reports, and customer communications.
• Interpret technical requirements, drawings, specifications, and deliverables to ensure alignment across teams.
• Support system integration, troubleshooting, validation, and verification activities throughout the project lifecycle.
• Drive continuous improvement focused on operational efficiency, process optimization, and program execution.
• Develop and maintain project documentation including schedules, action trackers, technical reports, configuration documentation, and program status updates.
• Provide technical leadership and mentorship to junior engineers, technicians, and project team members as needed.
• Support proposal development, planning efforts, and customer site visits when applicable.
• Develop and manage project budgets, labor forecasts, cost estimates, and resource planning.

Skills

Technical leadership

Project management

Engineering background

Cross-functional coordination

Education

Bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering or related technical field

Job description

Overview

We are seeking a Senior Technical Program Manager with an engineering background to lead and support complex programs and technical initiatives within a fast-paced manufacturing environment in Johnstown, PA. This role oversees project execution across engineering, production, quality, and operations while ensuring technical requirements, schedules, deliverables, and customer expectations are met.

The ideal candidate brings hands-on engineering experience combined with strong project leadership skills, particularly within defense, aerospace, or other highly regulated industries. This individual will serve as a key liaison between technical teams, leadership, customers, and external stakeholders to drive projects from concept through production and sustainment.

Responsibilities

• Lead cross-functional technical projects supporting manufacturing, integration, and production operations.
• Manage project scope, schedules, deliverables, risks, and resource planning across multiple programs.
• Coordinate activities between engineering, production, quality assurance, supply chain, and program stakeholders to ensure successful project execution.
• Support the development, integration, testing, and deployment of hardware and electro-mechanical systems.
• Facilitate project meetings, status reports, and customer communications.
• Interpret technical requirements, drawings, specifications, and deliverables to ensure alignment across teams.
• Support system integration, troubleshooting, validation, and verification activities throughout the project lifecycle.
• Drive continuous improvement focused on operational efficiency, process optimization, and program execution.
• Develop and maintain project documentation including schedules, action trackers, technical reports, configuration documentation, and program status updates.
• Provide technical leadership and mentorship to junior engineers, technicians, and project team members as needed.
• Support proposal development, planning efforts, and customer site visits when applicable.
• Develop and manage project budgets, labor forecasts, cost estimates, and resource planning.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering or related technical field required.
• PMP certification or formal project management training required.
• 5+ years of experience in project management, manufacturing engineering, or technical program leadership.
• Prior experience supporting DoD, aerospace, government contracting, or other highly regulated environments.
• Strong understanding of engineering principles, manufacturing processes, and system integration activities.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, including customer-facing interaction and technical reporting.
• Ability to obtain and maintain any required security clearances.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee routinely is required to learn and apply new information and/or skills. Must be able to interpret data, information, and documents. Occasionally will need to lift/and or move up to 45 lbs. Regularly works around moving mechanical parts and in outside conditions that include inclement weather, heat and humidity. Noise level may be loud at times. 20% Occasional travel may be required.

Compass Systems Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer, including disability and veteran status. Use of any external recruitment or job placement agency is based upon its compliance with our commitment to equal opportunity.