Program Manager

Program Manager

Job Description

We are seeking a Program Manager to lead complex product development, manufacturing, and operational programs from initiation through successful completion.

This role is responsible for establishing integrated project plans, schedules, budgets, risk registers, component tracking, and reporting mechanisms while coordinating execution across Engineering, Manufacturing, Quality, Procurement, Supply Chain, Operations, Marketing, and Sales.

The Program Manager will provide structure, visibility, and accountability across programs, identify risks before they affect key milestones, and drive cross-functional teams through product development, validation, manufacturing readiness, launch, and production transition.

Applicants must be authorized to work for any employer in the United States.

Responsibilities

• Lead product development and operational programs from initiation through completion.
• Develop and maintain integrated project plans, schedules, budgets, milestones, and risk registers.
• Define program scope, requirements, deliverables, resources, and execution plans.
• Coordinate activities across Engineering, Manufacturing, Quality, Procurement, Supply Chain, Operations, Marketing, and Sales.
• Monitor program performance and provide clear visibility into schedule, cost, risks, dependencies, and deliverables.
• Identify potential risks and constraints and develop mitigation plans before key milestones are affected.
• Document program decisions, responsibilities, action items, and completion status.
• Coordinate functional owners and stakeholders to support timely execution of program commitments.
• Lead products through development, sourcing, prototyping, validation, manufacturing readiness, launch, and production transition.
• Create and maintain detailed project schedules utilizing Microsoft Project.
• Establish task dependencies, milestones, critical paths, and baseline schedules.
• Monitor schedule variance and coordinate resources to address program risks.
• Track component and material readiness to support prototype, validation, and production activities.
• Support program budgets, business cases, project charters, and resource planning.
• Facilitate cross-functional program reviews and communicate status, risks, and recommendations to organizational leadership.
• Support continuous improvement initiatives related to program execution and product development processes.

Required Qualifications

• Demonstrated experience leading complex programs or projects within a manufacturing, engineering, or product development environment.
• Experience managing new product development programs through multiple stages of the product lifecycle.
• Experience developing and maintaining integrated program schedules.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Project or comparable project scheduling tools.
• Knowledge of task sequencing, dependencies, milestones, critical-path management, and schedule variance.
• Experience coordinating cross-functional teams and functional stakeholders.
• Experience managing program scope, timelines, budgets, resources, risks, and deliverables.
• Ability to track product, component, or material readiness during development and manufacturing activities.
• Strong organizational, analytical, and structured problem-solving skills.
• Ability to identify risks, establish mitigation plans, and drive action to maintain program objectives.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities within a fast-moving manufacturing environment.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor"s degree in Engineering, Business, Manufacturing, Project Management, or a related discipline.
• Experience leading new product development programs from concept through manufacturing and production transition.
• PMP certification or equivalent project/program management training.
• Familiarity with Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, APQP, stage-gate, or similar product-development methodologies.
• Experience supporting commercial, government, defense, or other regulated product programs.
• Experience working within manufacturing organizations where engineering, operations, supply chain, and commercial functions must coordinate closely.
• Experience supporting business-case development, resource planning, budgets, and program governance.
• Familiarity with ERP/MRP systems and product or component readiness tracking.

Key Skills

• Program Management
• Project Management
• New Product Development
• Microsoft Project
• Integrated Project Scheduling
• Critical Path Management
• Risk Management
• Budget Management
• Resource Planning
• Manufacturing Readiness
• Product Launch
• Cross-Functional Leadership
• APQP
• Lean Manufacturing
• Program Reporting

Work Environment

This position operates primarily onsite in West Hartford, Connecticut, Monday through Friday, approximately 40 hours per week.

The Program Manager works across Engineering, Manufacturing, Quality, Procurement, Supply Chain, Operations, Marketing, and Sales functions. The role requires independent project execution, regular interaction with organizational leadership, and the ability to establish structure and maintain visibility across multiple program activities.

The environment emphasizes accountability, collaboration, technical problem-solving, manufacturing execution, and timely delivery of program objectives.

Job Type & Location

This is a Permanent position based out of West Hartford, CT.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $90000.00 - $130000.00/yr.

Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors.

Company Benefits Medical Insurance Dental Insurance Life Insurance Short-Term and Long-Term Disability Coverage Health Savings Account (HSA) 401(k) Retirement Plan 100% company match on employee contributions up to 6% Three weeks of paid vacation Discretionary annual bonus of up to 10% Paid company holidays Employee discount program Career development and internal advancement opportunities High-visibility exposure across Engineering, Manufacturing, Operations, Quality, Procurement, and Program Management leadership ReqQual Version Company Benefits: Medical, dental, life and disability insurance; HSA; 401(k) with 100% company match up to 6%; three weeks paid vacation; paid holidays; employee discount program; and discretionary annual bonus opportunity up to 10%.

Job Type & Location

This is a Permanent position based out of West Hartford, CT.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Nov 27, 2026.

Workplace Type

This is a fully onsite position in West Hartford,CT.

About Actalent

Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 20,000 consultants and 5,000 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be an Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm for our engineering design services and a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing winner for both client and talent service.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email actalentaccommodation@actalentservices.com for other accommodation options.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI): We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.