Program Manager

Program Manager

Turn complex customer needs into successful launches.

Help bring next-generation liquid cooling programs to life. In this role, you’ll guide customer programs from early discussions and quoting through design, validation, and production launch—keeping customers and internal teams aligned at every step.

About Steel & O’Brien

Steel & O’Brien manufactures stainless-steel flow control components and is expanding into the data center cooling market. We support liquid cooling equipment and infrastructure for hyperscale and colocation data centers.

About the role

As Program Manager, you’ll lead multiple customer programs through their full lifecycle. You’ll serve as the main point of contact for assigned customers, translate their needs into clear internal plans, and coordinate teams to deliver programs on time and within scope.

This role is a strong fit for someone who enjoys organizing complex work, bringing people together, and building trusted customer relationships in a fast-moving, technology-focused market. You’ll also help identify future program management resource needs as the data center cooling organization grows and propose how those resources can be applied.

What you’ll do

• Lead customer programs from opportunity discovery through production launch.
• Serve as the primary contact for assigned customer programs.
• Turn customer requirements into internal deliverables, timelines, and clear expectations.
• Identify future program management resource needs as the data center cooling organization grows, and propose how to lead and apply those resources.
• Coordinate with Commercial, Engineering, Operations, Supply Chain, and Quality to align on requirements and execution.
• Lead regular program reviews and keep stakeholders informed about progress, risks, and needed actions.
• Coordinate resources to resolve issues and keep programs moving.
• Communicate proactively with customers to manage expectations, provide updates, and build trust.
• Share program progress, milestones, and risk mitigation plans with customers.
• Support business development teams during opportunity discovery and quoting with program-related insights.
• Build and track project plans with clear deliverables, owners, and deadlines.
• Keep programs on track to meet quality, cost, and delivery goals.
• Lead problem-solving when challenges arise and escalate issues when needed.

What you’ll bring

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Business, Operations, or a related field.
• At least five years of program or project management experience, ideally in industrial manufacturing or an engineering-driven industry.
• Experience leading teams.
• A track record of managing multiple projects at the same time.
• Familiarity with manufacturing processes, supply chain, and quality systems is preferred.
• PMP or another project management certification is a plus.
• Ability and willingness to travel up to 50%, including by air and car, with overnight stays.

Skills that will help you succeed

• Strong cross-functional coordination skills and the ability to influence without direct authority.
• Clear communication, presentation, and customer-facing skills.
• Comfort working in a fast-paced, evolving market focused on data center cooling and technology.
• A customer-first approach, sound judgment, and strong organization.

How you’ll contribute to our culture

• Help create a healthy work environment with strong communication.
• Communicate positively, clearly, and respectfully with others.
• Listen respectfully to concerns and ideas.
• Support and participate in company functions.
• Respect confidential information.
• Bring a customer-first mindset and look for ways to improve.
• Demonstrate Steel & O’Brien’s values: Integrity, Trust, Creativity and Courage, Teamwork, and Excellence.

Work environment and equipment

You must be able to safely navigate a manufacturing environment and use a phone, computer, and standard office equipment effectively.

Salary Range:  $145-190K, 20% bonus. 

Attendance Requirements: Attendance on a regular, consistent basis is mandatory.

Accommodations: If you need a reasonable accommodation under the ADA or other state or federal law to perform the essential job functions as listed above, you may request an accommodation in the interview process.