Program Manager

Program Manager

Reports to: Director, Program Management

Work Model: Full-time, On-site – est. 10-20% Travel

Schedule: Monday – Friday 8am-5pm

At Crystal Group, we do hard things – designing and building rugged tech and tech solutions that provide predictable performance in the world's most unforgiving environments. As a 100% employee-owned company, here you take extreme ownership of your role and work and invest in your own success and that of your teammates. Together we use a zero limits approach to wow our customers.

Crystal Group offers a comprehensive benefits package including:

• Medical/dental/vision insurance
• Paid time off
• Tuition reimbursement
• Wellness programs
• Participation in our Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP)
• On-Site Gym

Job Summary

The Program Manager is responsible for the successful execution and delivery of assigned programs from contract award through completion. Serving as the primary customer interface, this role leads cross-functional teams to achieve program objectives while ensuring customer satisfaction, contract compliance, and execution excellence. The Program Manager maintains comprehensive ownership of program performance, balancing cost, schedule, technical execution, delivery commitments, and risk to deliver successful outcomes.

Essential Functions

• Lead execution of assigned programs while managing cost, schedule, technical performance, quality, delivery, profitability, and risk.
• Maintain comprehensive ownership and situational awareness of contract status, forecasts, production readiness, engineering milestones, financial performance, customer commitments, and business risks.
• Serve as the primary customer-facing representative and internal point of contact building long-term relationships through proactive communication, issue resolution, and execution excellence.
• Execute customer programs in accordance with contractual requirements while ensuring delivery commitments are achieved.
• Lead cross-functional teams through complex technical and operational challenges while influencing decisions without direct authority.
• Manage program financial performance, including forecasting, revenue recognition support, margin performance, change management, and resource planning.
• Partner with subcontracts management team to monitor subcontractor performance and ensure timely achievement of program milestones.
• Coordinate with Engineering, Operations, Supply Chain, Finance, Quality, Manufacturing, and Business Development to ensure successful program execution.
• Establish and manage customer expectations throughout the program lifecycle.
• Provide accurate customer reporting, leadership updates, and program performance metrics.
• Lead internal program management workflows while identifying risks, driving corrective actions, and promoting continuous improvement.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Proficient in program management principles, forecasting, risk management, contract execution, and customer relationship management.
• Familiarity with rugged computing systems, embedded hardware, and/or industrial/defense-grade electronics
• Ownership mindset with a high degree of accountability and commitment to execution excellence.
• Customer-focused with the ability to build trusted relationships through responsiveness, transparency, and consistent delivery.
• Strong business acumen with the ability to balance customer priorities, operational execution, and financial performance.
• Influential leader capable of driving alignment and achieving results across cross-functional teams without direct authority.
• Structured, analytical, and critical thinker with strong problem-solving and decision-making skills.
• Strong planning, organization, and prioritization skills in a fast-paced environment.
• Effective verbal and written communication skills with the ability to present clearly to customers, leadership, and cross-functional teams.
• Collaborative team player who builds strong partnerships across engineering, operations, supply chain, finance, quality, and customer organizations.

Required Qualifications

• Must be a US Person (US Citizen, person granted US Permanent Resident Card or any individual granted status as a "protected person")
• Bachelor's degree in business or related field
• 3-5 years of program, project, or operations management experience within aerospace, defense, manufacturing, or another highly regulated industry
• Experience leading cross-functional projects or customer programs
• Demonstrated ability to manage cost, schedule, customer expectations, and competing priorities

Preferred Qualifications

• Master of Business Administration
• Familiarity with forecasting, CRM systems, and pipeline management tools (Salesforce, EPICOR, etc.).
• Strong financial literacy, including understanding of pricing models, gross margin, and EBITDA
• Experience leading cross-functional teams through the full program lifecycle, from proposal support and contract award through delivery and sustainment.
• Experience presenting to executive leadership, key clients, or other high-stakes audiences, with the ability to clearly communicate complex technical and business information in a professional and persuasive manner
• Ability to obtain and maintain any required security clearance, if applicable

Working Conditions

Work is primarily performed in an office environment. Occasional exposure to manufacturing floor and testing environments. May require lifting up to 25 lbs, standing for extended periods during product testing, and occasional travel (up to 20%).

EEO Statement

Crystal Group, Inc, maintains a program of equal employment opportunity designed to ensure that employment and advancement opportunities are made available to all employees and applicants on the basis of individual qualifications and without regard to race, religion, color, creed, national origin, disability, age, sex, genetic information, military status, or any other classification protected by federal, state, or local laws.

Offer Contingency

All job offers are contingent on the applicant successfully completing the background check and drug screen.

This job description is intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by individuals assigned to this position. It is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required. Management reserves the right to modify, add, or remove duties and to assign other responsibilities as necessary. Employment with Crystal Group remains at-will.