Program Manager (Defense & Industrial)

Position Title:

Program Manager – Defense & Industrial Projects

Location:

Cincinnati, OH or Geneva, OH

Schedule: Full-Time | Monday–Friday | Minimal Travel

Job Type:

Direct Placement | Contract-to-Hire Considered

Overview:

A leading designer and manufacturer of ruggedized military and industrial systems is seeking a skilled Program Manager to oversee cross-functional project execution across new and ongoing government contracts. This role blends traditional program leadership with a strong project management mindset, requiring someone who can manage internal coordination, risk mitigation, budgeting, and customer communication with precision and professionalism.

You’ll be responsible for the full project lifecycle—from kick-off through closeout—serving as the primary interface between internal stakeholders, engineering, production, and customers. This is a high-impact, direct placement role with exceptional benefits and the opportunity to work on mission-critical programs.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead execution of government and commercial projects from contract award through delivery
• Oversee cross-functional teams across engineering, operations, supply chain, and quality
• Track project milestones, manage schedules, and report on performance metrics
• Coordinate cost, scope, risk, and deliverables in line with contractual obligations
• Serve as point of contact for customer communication, reporting, and issue resolution
• Drive progress through internal meetings, external reviews, and supplier coordination
• Participate in bid and proposal development, including budgeting and technical input
• Ensure compliance with all relevant quality, safety, and government regulations (FAR/DFARS)
• Manage Earned Value and variance analysis where applicable
• Champion corrective action plans when deviations from targets occur
• Oversee inventory alignment, production planning, and change management
• Close out programs in accordance with process and documentation standards

Qualifications:

• U.S. Citizenship required (must be eligible for Secret Clearance)
• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Business, or related field (or equivalent experience)
• PMP or DAU Level 3 certification strongly preferred
• Minimum 3 years of experience managing government or defense-related programs
• Proficient in cost management, risk analysis, and project reporting tools
• Experience working with export-controlled projects and/or regulated industries (ITAR, EAR)
• Strong leadership, communication, and problem-solving skills
• Comfortable leading multi-disciplinary teams across engineering and manufacturing environments

Compensation & Benefits:

• Base Salary: $120,000 – $130,000/year
• Benefits:
• Full medical, dental, and vision coverage (telehealth included)
• Company-paid life, disability, and AD&D insurance
• 401(k) with company match
• Paid holidays and PTO
• Structured onboarding and support for obtaining a security clearance

Security Eligibility:

Due to the nature of the work, this position requires access to export-controlled information. Only U.S. Citizens eligible to obtain a Secret Clearance and ITAR/EAR authorization will be considered.