Program Manager - Ammunition

Position Summary:

Reporting to the Director of Engineering, the Program Manager - Ammunition is responsible for managing the execution of Barrett’s product roadmap, overseeing projects from inititial concept through to full-scale production. This inaugural position offers the unique opportunity to shape the execution of Barrett’s ammunition strategy, influencing product development, manufacturing processes, and operational execution.

This role requires a blend of project management, engineering expertise, and cross-functional leadership to ensure on-time, high-quality product launches while maintaining efficient ongoing production operations. The Program Manager is responsible for managing timelines, resources, budgets, and risks to align with Barrett’s business and customer objectives.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Lead and collaborate with cross-functional teams including engineering, operations, supply chain, and product management to create new products and support existing ones.
• Execute ammunition product development projects, ensuring an on-time launch rate of = 80% (T), 90% (O), with minimal schedule and budget variance.
• Collaborate with Product Managers to translate market gaps into actionable product development initiatives.
• Drive the design, development, and production of new ammunition products and components.
• Manage the engineering change order (ECO) process for all ammunition-related product modifications.
• Oversee process design and engineering work to support new ammunition designs and production workflows.
• Ensure ongoing manufacturing operations meet a production attainment rate of = 95% (T), 98% (O) with a scrap rate of = 2% (T), 0.5% (O).
• Coordinate with stakeholders to maintain efficient production schedules and quality standards.
• Participate in daily production meetings to address manufacturing challenges and optimize processes.
• Establish and maintain communication with internal and external stakeholders to drive project success.
• Attend Demand/Supply Integration meetings to align production with business objectives.
• Represent Barrett at trade shows to gain industry insights, understand competitive landscapes, and build key relationships with suppliers and program partners.
• Travel domestically and internationally to support sales, customer service, and supplier relationships as needed (up to 10% travel).
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications Requirements:

• Proficiency in mechanical engineering, materials science, fluid dynamics, and thermodynamics, with familiarity in ASME, ISO, and ASTM standards.
• Advanced CAD skills (SolidWorks preferred, post-hire training available) and knowledge of GD&T.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Outlook, Word, Excel, Project), Microsoft Dynamics Great Plains, and Smartsheet (post-hire training available).
• Demonstrated ability to learn new software and database programs as necessary.
• Strong interpersonal skills to lead and influence cross-functional teams while effectively resolving conflicts.
• Demonstrated ability to assess manufacturing processes, identify inefficiencies, and implement data-driven improvements. Evaluate designs, diagnose production issues, and develop solutions while considering scalability and long-term strategy.
• Ability to align manufacturing processes with organizational goals, anticipate production challenges, and optimize workflows through statistical analysis and process improvements.

Education and/or Experience:

• A Bachelor of Engineering or Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Chemical Engineering, or related field required.
• Post-hire training in Defense Priorities and Allocations System (DPAS) and SolidWorks.
• 2-5 years in an engineering or project management role within a firearms or ammunition production environment.
• Familiarity with firearms and ammunition design and manufacturing is preferred, and experience in government contracts is highly desirable.
• Experience in high-mix production environments and managing engineering efforts at an OEM is preferred.

Certificates, Licenses, Registrations:

• Maintain valid driver’s license.
• Maintain eligibility to work with firearms under state and federal guidelines.

Physical Demands and Work Environment:

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand, walk, and use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls. The employee is frequently required to talk and hear. The employee is occasionally required to reach with hands and arms and stoop, kneel, or crouch.

The employee must be able to lift and carry or move up to 70 pounds for long periods in accordance with proper safe lifting procedures. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.

The physical demands and work environment described below are representative of those that an employee must meet to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these functions.