Program Manager

***Position open to permanent US residents only...

***CANDIDATES MUST HAVE EXPERIENCE WITH SOME TYPE OF AEROSPACE OR DEFENSE (Sorry no exceptions)

The Opportunity

StaffRight Associates his recruiting for a premier aerospace and defense client to identify an exceptional Program Manager to spearhead high-impact component sourcing, technical coordination, and program delivery. Operating out of Rockford, Illinois, this on-site role positions you at the nexus of business growth, cross-functional leadership, and full-lifecycle hardware oversight for both commercial and defense initiatives.

In this key capacity, you will cultivate high-value partnerships with premier OEMs and defense procurement agencies, oversee complex supply chain strategy, and guarantee the seamless, compliant execution of advanced electronic and electromechanical programs. StaffRight Associates is managing the end-to-end recruitment process for this high-visibility position, offering an outstanding platform for a strategic professional to drive operational and commercial success.

What You’ll Do

• Drive Commercial Expansion: Uncover and secure lucrative program opportunities across commercial aviation and defense markets.

• Champion Key Relationships: Serve as the primary client face and executive contact for premier OEMs and military procurement leadership.

• Synthesize Market Insights: Analyze emerging developments across avionics and electromechanical markets to proactively address evolving customer specifications.

• Formulate Pricing Models: Calculate detailed labor, material, and operational costs to build competitive pricing proposals while safeguarding target margins.

• Mitigate Program Risk: Assess lead-time constraints and technical feasibility, focusing on obsolete or high-demand electronic hardware.

• Direct Full Lifecycle Execution: Guide schedules, deliverables, risk profiles, and allocations for specialized electronic assemblies, printed circuit boards, and harness systems.

• Orchestrate Supply Roadmaps: Formulate long-lead procurement plans aligned with engineering milestones and production schedules.

• Maximize Supplier Alignment: Qualify top-tier suppliers, negotiate high-value vendor contracts, and drive competitive proposal processes.

• Align Technical Requirements: Interpret complex engineering drawings, bills of materials, and RFQs to ensure full supplier compliance and manufacturability.

• Uphold Regulatory Excellence: Ensure all materials and vendor workflows conform strictly to ITAR, DFARS, MIL-STD, RoHS, FAA, and AS9100 quality standards.

• Resolve Operational Bottlenecks: Direct root-cause analyses and corrective action plans for delivery delays or technical changes.

• Lead Cross-Functional Teams: Coordinate efforts across engineering, quality, manufacturing, and legal departments to achieve program milestones.

• Maintain System Documentation: Oversee program dashboards, risk registers, and configuration control records for leadership reviews.

• Optimize Sourcing Workflows: Implement continuous improvement practices to decrease costs, enhance vendor efficiency, and streamline technical execution.

What You Bring

Bachelors Degree, Program Management, Aerospace & Defense Industry Experience, Supply Chain & Sourcing, Technical Drawing Analysis, Bill Of Materials Management, Regulatory Compliance Frameworks, ITAR, DFARS, MIL-STD, RoHS, FAA, AS9100, ERP & MRP Systems, Project Management Tools, Cross-Functional Leadership, Negotiation & Risk Mitigation

Compensation & Total Rewards

• Annual Base Salary: $100,000 – $125,000 per year

• Performance Bonus: Potential bonus eligible based on performance milestones

Joining StaffRight Associates

When you partner with StaffRight Associates in your search for your next role, you’re doing more than pursuing a job, you’re aligning yourself with a team of experts committed to placing top-tier talent in truly impactful positions. We take pride in fostering professional growth and connecting forward-thinking individuals with organizations that value innovation and excellence. We look forward to showcasing your expertise in a way that resonates with our clients and opens the door to meaningful opportunities.