Program Manager

Program Manager

This Program Manager role focuses on leading complex engineering programs that span product development, manufacturing, and global launch of physical products, with a particular emphasis on data center cooling and other engineered solutions. The position requires a strong engineering foundation and the ability to drive cross-functional teams through influence rather than direct authority. You will work closely with engineering, manufacturing, and leadership teams across multiple regions to guide products through the full development lifecycle, from concept to production and launch. This role offers high visibility with leadership, significant global collaboration, and the opportunity to contribute to innovative products that serve industrial, automotive, fluid power, and data center cooling markets.

Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end program management for new physical products, from concept through development, manufacturing, and global launch.
• Drive new product introduction (NPI) programs by coordinating engineering, manufacturing, and other cross-functional teams to meet schedule, cost, and quality objectives.
• Guide technical teams through the product development lifecycle, ensuring key engineering deliverables are completed on time and to specification.
• Collaborate closely with manufacturing teams to ensure products are designed for manufacturability and that production ramp-up and launch activities proceed smoothly.
• Coordinate and align global stakeholders across North America, Europe, Asia, and other regions to ensure program milestones and deliverables are understood and met.
• Lead cross-functional teams through influence rather than direct authority, setting clear expectations and driving accountability across all stakeholders.
• Prepare and deliver program updates, presentations, and status reports to leadership and executives, providing clear visibility into risks, issues, and progress.
• Push projects forward proactively by identifying obstacles, proposing solutions, and ensuring timely decision-making rather than simply reporting status.
• Manage and facilitate early-morning and late-evening meetings and calls with international teams to support effective cross-time-zone collaboration.
• Support strategic initiatives in data center cooling and other engineered product lines, aligning program execution with broader business objectives.
• Ensure adherence to established processes related to product development, engineering deliverables, and manufacturing processes.
• Coordinate with global teams on trade shows and related activities when required, ensuring program priorities and messaging are aligned.
• Work within ERP and PLM systems (if experienced) to track program data, product configurations, and lifecycle milestones.
• Collaborate with leadership to continuously improve program management practices and cross-functional coordination across the organization.

Essential Skills

• Bachelors degree or equivalent foundation in Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a closely related engineering discipline.
• Proven experience developing and launching physical products, including hands-on involvement in product development and new product introduction (NPI).
• Experience working in a manufacturing environment and understanding how engineering decisions impact production and operations.
• Strong program or project management skills, particularly in new product development and product launch contexts.
• Demonstrated ability to lead cross-functional teams without direct authority, using influence, communication, and leadership presence to drive outcomes.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple projects, priorities, and stakeholders simultaneously.
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to interface effectively with both engineers and executives and present clearly to leadership.
• Solid understanding of the product development lifecycle, including key engineering deliverables, product launches, and manufacturing processes.
• Comfort working with global teams and managing collaboration across multiple time zones, including early-morning and late-evening calls.
• Ability to operate effectively in a technical, engineered products environment spanning industrial, automotive, fluid power, and data center cooling solutions.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience in New Product Introduction (NPI) program management, product development program management, engineering program management, or technical project management.
• Formal project management experience in an engineering or manufacturing context.
• Project Management Professional (PMP) certification or similar project management credential.
• Experience in the data center cooling industry or related thermal management domains.
• Experience working with ERP and PLM systems to support product lifecycle and program management.
• Demonstrated command and leadership presence, with a track record of driving accountability and influencing stakeholders at multiple levels.
• Experience managing or contributing to strategic initiatives in engineered products, such as industrial equipment, fluid handling, thermal management, hydraulics, or automotive applications.
• Ability to thrive in a collaborative, team-oriented culture with a focus on continuous improvement and innovation.

Work Environment

The role operates within a global, engineering-driven organization that designs, manufactures, and launches engineered products across industrial equipment, fluid handling, thermal management, hydraulics, automotive, and data center cooling markets. You will report into a leadership structure that values high visibility, regular interaction with executives, and clear, data-driven communication. The environment emphasizes cross-functional collaboration with engineering, manufacturing, and other technical teams, and requires regular coordination with colleagues in regions such as China, Europe, and other global locations. Work hours are generally aligned with standard business schedules, but you should expect early-morning and late-evening calls a couple of times per week to support international teams and cross-time-zone collaboration. Travel is limited, with occasional domestic trips for trade shows or key meetings, while the primary focus remains on global stakeholder management and virtual collaboration. Flexible work arrangements may be available where applicable, and remote work may be considered, although in-person collaboration in the Denver area is viewed positively and could influence long-term conversion to full-time employment. The culture is collaborative and team-oriented, with a strong focus on health, safety, and employee well-being. Employees benefit from development opportunities, including tuition reimbursement, recognition programs for high performers, and global career paths. The role involves working with modern engineering and manufacturing tools, ERP/PLM systems, and structured program management practices in a professional, safety-conscious environment.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Denver, CO.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $50.00 - $72.00/hr.

Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors.

Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following: Medical, dental & vision Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital 401(k) Retirement Plan Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents) Short and long-term disability Health Spending Account (HSA) Transportation benefits Employee Assistance Program Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)

Workplace Type

This is a fully onsite position in Denver,CO.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Oct 5, 2026.

About Actalent

Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 20,000 consultants and 5,000 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be an Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm for our engineering design services and a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® winner for both client and talent service.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email View email address on click.appcast.io for other accommodation options.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil