Manager - Advanced Programs

FMI | solutions for the most extreme places in the universe

FMI's manufacturing facility has been a leading solutions provider of high temperature materials and composites for more than 50 years, serving the Department of Defense and NASA. The focus in Maine is on multidirectional reinforced Carbon/Carbon (C/C) and Ceramic Matrix Composites (CMCs) that enable high-temperature components such as: thermal protection systems, re-entry vehicle nose tips as well as rocket motor throats and nozzles. 

Our materials are being used on ground-breaking space initiatives such as the Orion Multi-Purpose Crew Vehicle and the heat shield for NASA's Mars 2020 mission, important missile programs, airfoils in commercial and military jet engines, and as lightweight armor for U.S. military ground vehicles. 

Your role:

FMI is seeking a proactive Manager of Advanced Programs with a demonstrated history of building the processes, systems, and culture that allow Integrated Product Teams to operate with excellence, technical rigor, and pace. The Manager of Advanced Programs will bring a systems mindset, promote cross-functional alignment, and be able to efficiently deliver advanced materials and structures projects across the full product lifecycle. The Manager of Advanced Programs will be tenacious, an excellent communicator, and have an innate bias to constantly improve. The Manager of Advanced Programs will never lose sight of customer and company commitments and always act with integrity.

Job Responsibilities:

• Establish and continually improve R&T project management frameworks, standards and governance
• Drive a consistent operating rhythm across all projects;
  • IPT meetings, risk and gate reviews, technical and financial reporting, etc
• Monitor overall project portfolio health, risks, resource loading, and cross-program dependencies; 
  • Ensure timely escalation and resolution
  • Drive a common standard among individual projects
  • Responsible for the portfolio financials, schedule and technical performance
• Hire, manage, develop, and mentor IPT Leads; build a strong project management culture
• Build, maintain, and enforce high-quality integrated schedules, WBS structures, and cost/schedule baselines; 
  • Own the R&T Integrated Master Schedule (IMS) to drive execution and ensure alignment with department and company strategic objectives
• Develop dashboards and execution metrics to enable real-time visibility for leadership
• Ensure IPTs operate effectively with clear charters, RACIs, communication paths, and integration with functional teams
• Align processes with FMI Quality Management System (QMS) and customer program requirements
• Participate in the analysis of contractual deliverables; ensure creation of project charters and engineering requirements definition for Verification & Validation planning
• Lead key customer reviews; virtual and in-person
• Participate in the generation and management of the R&T annual revenue forecast and headcount plan
• Support proposal planning, estimating and writing
• Ensure all project technical data is properly documented, stored and shared
• Promote the generation and capture of Intellectual Property
• Cultivate an environment of Continuous Process Improvement and participate in major initiatives
• Foster values-driven execution – clarity, transparency, urgency, cross-functional collaboration, technical excellence, and ownership

What we need from you:

• 15+ years of progressively complex technical and leadership experience in an advanced manufacturing, prototyping or development engineering environment
• 5+ years of leadership experience managing Technical Project Managers, IPTs and/or a Project Management Office (PMO), including hiring, managing and developing talent
• Capable of managing multiple projects simultaneously to ensure proper time phasing of deliverables and alignment with strategic business objectives
• PMP, PgMP, PMI-ACP or equivalent certification
• Working knowledge of APQP, NPI, T/MRL advancement
• Demonstrated success maturing advanced product technologies in a manufacturing environment
• Demonstrated command of project management fundamentals and the ability to mentor and teach;
  • IMP/IMS generation, requirements management, tasking, WBS development, risk management, cost/schedule integration, EVMS concepts and reporting, customer management, etc.
• Practical knowledge of Verification & Validation processes and structure
• Demonstrated experience with IPT structures and matrix organizations
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills; able to communicate, motivate, influence and deliver across organizational disciplines and levels, from the shop floor to management reviews
• Ability to build trust, drive alignment, and hold teams accountable
• U.S. Citizenship with the ability to obtain and maintain a Security Clearance

Preferred:

• Advanced degree with a focus in Systems, Mechanical, Materials or Manufacturing Engineering or Engineering / Program Management with an emphasis on Technology Development and New Product Introduction
• Deep experience with DoW programs: 
  • T/MRL advancement of advanced materials-based manufacturing and flight vehicle application; high temperature carbon and ceramic composites
• Experience building a new PMO or transforming an existing one
• Active Secret Security Clearance

What you'll get from us:

• 16 ETO days
• 12 paid holidays (including Winter Closure!)
• Medical / Dental / Vision Effective on Day 1
• 401k Company Match
• Tuition Reimbursement
• The anticipated salary range for this position is $140,000-$180,000 dependent on experience