Head of Engineering Programme Management

The Program Manager will lead complex, cross-functional manufacturing and product-development programs from initial planning through successful execution. This role develops and maintains fully integrated project plans, coordinates schedules and resources, manages risks and dependencies, and ensures clear documentation and communication across Engineering, Manufacturing, Quality, Operations, Procurement, and other key teams. The Program Manager provides accurate visibility into program health, proactively identifies and mitigates execution risks, escalates barriers when needed, and drives stakeholders toward agreed deliverables, budgets, and timelines.

Own and lead complex cross-functional programs and projects from planning through execution, rather than only participating as a team member.

Develop and maintain integrated project plans that align scope, schedule, resources, and deliverables across multiple functions.

Create, manage, and continuously update detailed schedules, milestones, and dependencies to keep programs on track.

Maintain comprehensive risk and issue logs, including identification, tracking, mitigation plans, and clear ownership.

Develop and manage parts trackers and resource plans to support manufacturing and product-development activities.

Own and monitor program budgets, ensuring financial alignment with program objectives and constraints.

Provide clear, accurate, and timely program status reporting to leadership and stakeholders, including progress, risks, and mitigation actions.

Proactively identify emerging risks before they become issues, define mitigation strategies, assign ownership, and escalate appropriately when needed.

Document the actual status of programs in detail, relying on written and structured documentation rather than informal or verbal updates.

Drive cross-functional accountability across Engineering, Manufacturing, Operations, Quality, Procurement, Supply Chain, and product teams.

Support new product introduction and development efforts, including planning and executing product launches.

Communicate program status, risks, and decisions clearly and directly to senior leadership, including delivering difficult messages when necessary.

Apply strong critical thinking to analyze program data, anticipate issues, and recommend practical, data-driven solutions.

Contribute to building and professionalizing the Project Management Office (PMO) by influencing how programs are planned, documented, and executed.

Model a proactive, organized, and accountable approach to program management that supports a culture of urgency and execution.

Bachelor's degree.

Manufacturing background with direct exposure to production or operations environments.

Demonstrated program and project management experience with ownership of complex programs or projects.

Strong capability in developing and maintaining detailed project plans.

Experience in risk identification and mitigation, including proactive risk management and escalation.

Cross-functional leadership experience across Engineering, Manufacturing, Operations, Quality, Procurement, Supply Chain, and product teams.

Demonstrated accountability, organization, and decisiveness in managing programs.

Comfort working in ambiguous situations while maintaining progress and structure.

More than 5 years of direct program or project management experience (preferred).

Project Management Professional (PMP) certification (preferred).

background in planning and executing product launches.

Technical manufacturing knowledge that enables effective collaboration with engineering and operations teams.

Demonstrated ability to influence how programs are planned and executed within a PMO environment.

High level of personal accountability and ownership for program outcomes.

Ability to work effectively with commercial, military, law-enforcement, NPD, and operational initiatives exposure.

This role is based in West Hartford, CT, within a fast-paced firearms manufacturing environment. The typical schedule is Monday through Friday, approximately 40 hours per week, with a usual start time between 7:00 and 8:30 AM and an end time between 4:00 and 5:30 PM. The position is primarily onsite, reflecting the hands-on nature of the work and the close collaboration required with Engineering, Operations, Manufacturing, Quality, Procurement, Supply Chain, and leadership. The Program Management Office (PMO) is in the process of being rebuilt under new leadership, offering significant opportunity to shape processes and standards. Dress is business casual and appropriate for a manufacturing environment.

This is a Permanent position based out of West Hartford, CT.

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.

Company Benefits Medical Insurance Dental Insurance Life Insurance Short-Term and Long-Term Disability Coverage Health Savings Account (HSA) 401(k) Retirement Plan 100% company match on employee contributions up to 6% Three weeks of paid vacation Discretionary annual bonus of up to 10% Paid company holidays Employee discount program Career development and internal advancement opportunities High-visibility exposure across Engineering, Manufacturing, Operations, Quality, Procurement, and Program Management leadership ReqQual Version Company Benefits: Medical, dental, life and disability insurance; paid holidays; and discretionary annual bonus opportunity up to 10%.

This is a Permanent position based out of West Hartford, CT.

Application Deadline

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.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 of Artificial Intelligence (AI): We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.