Senior Program Manager

Northwest Partners is seeking an experienced Senior Program Manager to join a leading defense and aerospace organization specializing in mission-critical technology and hardware solutions. This is an opportunity to lead complex government programs across the full lifecycle, from proposal development and contract award through engineering, production, and sustainment. The ideal candidate brings 10+ years of program management experience within the defense or aerospace industry, with a strong background in government contracting, financial management, customer negotiations, and hardware manufacturing.

Work Schedule: 9/80 schedule

Work Arrangement: Primarily onsite; remote work may be authorized by management.

What You Will Do

• Lead cross-functional programs from proposal development and contract award through engineering, production, and sustainment.
• Manage program cost, schedule, technical performance, risks, and contractual deliverables.
• Develop and maintain program budgets, financial forecasts, estimates at completion (EAC), and margin analysis.
• Partner with Finance and senior leadership to support annual business plans, revenue forecasts, and profitability targets.
• Manage complex government contracts and ensure compliance with FAR, DFARS, and applicable procurement regulations.
• Serve as the primary customer interface, leading program reviews, resolving issues, and negotiating scope, pricing, and delivery commitments.
• Collaborate with Business Development on capture strategies, proposals, RFQs, pricing, and contract negotiations.
• Establish and maintain integrated master schedules, risk registers, mitigation plans, and program performance reports.
• Lead integrated product team meetings, management reviews, and formal design, qualification, and production readiness reviews.
• Work closely with Engineering, Operations, Quality, and Supply Chain to support product development, manufacturing readiness, and delivery.
• Oversee configuration management, engineering change control, supplier performance, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Identify opportunities to improve cost control, schedule performance, operational efficiency, and customer satisfaction.
• Support government contract compliance, audits, and applicable quality management requirements.

What You Will Bring

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or a related field.
• 10+ years of program management experience within the defense and/or aerospace industry.
• Proven experience managing complex government contracts and working within Department of War (DoW) environments.
• Strong knowledge of FAR, DFARS, and government procurement regulations.
• Experience managing programs across the technical design-to-production lifecycle.
• Experience with program financial management, including budgeting, forecasting, cost control, and profitability.
• Experience leading cross-functional teams within a hardware manufacturing, electronics, or engineering environment.
• Strong customer relationship management, negotiation, and business development experience.
• Knowledge of integrated master schedules, earned value management, risk management, and program governance.
• Understanding of AS9100 Rev D and applicable quality standards.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and experience working with ERP systems.
• Strong communication, leadership, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. security clearance.
• Ability to travel without restrictions.

Disclaimer: All candidates will be asked to briefly show a government-issued ID on video during the first interview. This step protects the integrity of the hiring process given the rise in applicant impersonation and employment fraud.

Benefits Include: Health Insurance, Vision Insurance, Dental Insurance, Disability Insurance, Life Insurance, 401(k) with Company Match, Paid Time Off, Tuition Assistance, and Career Development Opportunities.

About Northwest Partners

Northwest Partners is an equal opportunity employer. At Northwest Partners we are dedicated to moving at the speed of innovation. We work with clients across the globe to provide exceptional knowledge, talent, and resources. As a trusted partner, we merge the client's vision with our expertise to deliver powerful results. Northwest Partners is known for building and managing elite teams in technology across diverse industries. Our mission is to empower every talent and every client to achieve more.