Sr. Program Scheduler

nLIGHT; Longmont (CO); On-site; USD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

4 weeks of Paid Time Off

11 paid Holidays

Employee Stock Purchase Plan

Tuition Assistance Program

Health, Vision and Dental Care

Competitive 401k with company match

Job summary

nLIGHT in Longmont, CO is seeking a Senior Program Scheduler with over 10 years of experience to support complex programs within the Finance organization. The role includes developing processes for insightful reporting and program execution, ensuring alignment across program scope and resource planning.

The ideal candidate has extensive experience in Integrated Master Scheduling (IMS) and provides guidance for best practices. Benefits include a competitive pay range of $120,000-$160,000 based on experience, and comprehensive health coverage.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of experience in program/project scheduling, ideally in aerospace and defense.
• Ability to communicate complex information clearly across teams.
• Experience with Earned Value Management (EVM) metrics.

Responsibilities

• Lead improvement projects and develop scheduling processes.
• Develop and maintain Integrated Master Schedules (IMS) and Work Breakdown Structures (WBS).
• Perform critical path and variance analysis to provide insights.

Skills

Program scheduling

Communication

Attention to Detail

Earned Value Management

Microsoft Project

Integrated Master Scheduling

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration or related field

Advanced degree preferred

Tools

Microsoft Project

Job description

Location: Longmont, CO (onsite)

Experience: 10+ years of experience

Minimum Education: Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration, Engineering, Finance or related field. Advanced degree preferred

Compensation: $120,000-$160,000 depending on experience

Who We Are

nLIGHT-DEFENSE Systems, Inc. is one of the nation’s leading developers of Directed Energy systems, which is a top modernization priority of the Department of Defense. Our High Energy Laser (HEL) systems, Adaptive Optical (AO) systems, and Acquisition / Pointing / Tracking (APT) solutions are designed to overcome the most difficult challenges facing the deployment of high energy laser solutions to the United States military and our allies. Located in Longmont, Colorado, nLIGHT-DEFENSE Systems, Inc. is a vertically integrated business that leverages internal capabilities – from semiconductor device through target identification – to develop systems that are both high-performance and cost-effective. We continue to invest in capabilities, facilities and technology to bring leading edge HEL solutions to the warfighter. This is a great opportunity to work at a company that is on the leading edge of the HEL industry and provides a culture of excellence and commitment to delivering solutions to the warfighter and our country.

Headquartered in Camas, Washington, nLIGHT is a publicly listed company (NASDAQ: LASR).

Summary

nLIGHT DEFENSE Systems is seeking a Senior Program Scheduler with 10+ years of experience to support complex development and production programs within the Finance organization. This is a highly visible role in a fast-growing organization, involving coordinating with teams across disciplines and sites. As a senior member of the team, developing processes to drive better results and insightful reporting, providing guidance on best practices to support successful program execution across the organization, and the ability to execute detailed planning with a broader view across a portfolio of programs will be critical for success in this position.

This role is responsible for the end-to-end development, integration, maintenance, and analysis of Integrated Master Schedules (IMS) on major programs, ensuring alignment across program scope, technical execution, and resource planning. Responsibilities include ownership of schedule baseline integrity, critical path and variance analysis, earned value integration, and forecasting to proactively identify risks, opportunities, and performance trends, as well as supporting proposal efforts, Integrated Baseline Reviews (IBRs), and schedule compliance with internal standards and customer requirements.

All applicants must possess or be qualified to obtain a U.S. DoD Personnel Security Clearance. Preference will be given to candidates with an existing U.S. DoD Personnel Security Clearance. Further information on requirements to obtain a security clearance is available at: https://www.dcsa.mil/mc/pv/mbi/gicp/. Please review this information before applying.

Responsibilities

• Lead improvement projects and audits to further develop scheduling processes, tools, and reporting to meet internal needs and best practices.
• Develop and maintain Integrated Master Schedules (IMS) and Work Breakdown Structures (WBS) based on program contract requirements, supporting Earned Value Management (EVM) and reporting for variety of audiences.
• Perform critical path, variance, and trend analysis, providing actionable insights and projections. This includes supporting schedule recovery planning and monitoring of risks and opportunities.
• Partner with Program Management, CAMs, IPT Leads, Engineering, Operations, Finance, and Executive Partners to align schedules with scope, resources, and execution plans and to understand level of inherent risk in schedule.
• Provide direct schedule support on major programs while partnering with Program Controls to ensure visibility across whole portfolio of programs, ensuring resolution of critical conflicts across programs.
• Support new business proposals and Integrated Baseline Reviews (IBRs), including development of compliant schedules.
• Provide regular updates to leadership and maintain strong cross-functional relationships.

Required Experience / Capability

• Commitment to Excellence. Attention to Detail. Pride in Workmanship.
• Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Engineering, Finance, or related field from an accredited institution (or equivalent experience). Advanced degree preferred.
• Minimum of 10 years of directly related experience in program/project scheduling, ideally in the aerospace and defense industry.
• Ability to communicate complex information clearly and effectively across technical and non-technical teams.
• Demonstrated ability to take lead in executing on improvement initiatives.
• Strong experience with Integrated Master Scheduling (IMS) and schedule management, including a demonstrated ability to integrate cost and schedule data within a Work Breakdown Structure (WBS).
• Experience with Earned Value Management (EVM), including SPI/CPI metrics.
• High level of proficiency with Microsoft Project (including resource management) and strong understanding of industry scheduling standards (e.g., DCMA 14-point assessment).
• Experience supporting defense development and manufacturing projects through lifecycle of program.

Benefits Summary

• 4 weeks of Paid Time Off per year
• 11 paid Holidays
• Employee Stock Purchase Plan
• Tuition Assistance Program
• Health (ACA Gold Plan), Vision and Dental Care paid by employer 100% for Employee and 75% for Dependents
• Paid Family Leave, Short and Long Term Disability paid by employer 100%
• Competitive 401k with company match and immediate vesting

Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, disability, or age. For more information about our commitment to equal employment opportunity, please see this government poster: Know Your Rights: Workplace Discrimination is Illegal. If you are an individual with a disability and need a reasonable accommodation in the application or hiring process, please contact Human Resources at [e-mail].