At Watlow's Global Headquarters in St. Louis, Missouri, we combine a rich legacy with forward-thinking innovation. Founded in 1922 in the heart of St. Louis, Watlow has grown from a small heating element manufacturer into a global leader in thermal systems. Our headquarters is more than just an office, it's a hub for collaboration, advanced engineering, and customer focused solutions.#PoweredByPossibilityWe are hiring a: Sr. Program Manager - Aerospace & Defense (A&D)St. Louis, MO (Onsite)Watlow is seeking a proactive, detail-oriented Sr. Program Manager to serve as the critical internal link between our Aerospace & Defense (A&D) commercial sales team and our manufacturing, engineering, quality, and operations functions. This factory-based role owns the full program lifecycle for A&D accounts, from business case development through contract execution, compliance management, and delivery, ensuring Watlow can successfully compete and deliver in a highly regulated, technically complex market. You will build credibility with both customer-facing commercial teams and the internal teams that deliver the work, directly influencing execution from within Watlow's operations.What you'll do:
Business case & commercial support: Partner with the A&D commercial sales team to develop business cases, multi-year program strategies, and go/no-go recommendations, providing feasibility and manufacturing readiness input on new opportunities with OEMs, Tier 1 suppliers, and defense contractors.Program ownership: Own end-to-end program management for all active A&D accounts, from initial order entry through production, delivery, and ongoing program support.Compliance management: Manage all aerospace and defense compliance requirements, including AS9100, NADCAP, ITAR, and DFARS, ensuring internal teams understand and can meet customer and regulatory obligations.Cross-functional coordination: Serve as the primary point of coordination across engineering, manufacturing, quality, supply chain, IT, and customer service, pulling together the right resources and removing barriers to program execution.Customer engagement & advocacy: Act as the voice of the customer inside Watlow's factory and functional teams, participating in customer visits, site audits, and technical reviews alongside the commercial lead to build long-term customer confidence.Market & industry leadership: Maintain awareness of aerospace and defense industry trends and regulatory requirements, and provide market intelligence and customer insights to leadership and product development teams.
What you'll need to succeed?
Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Business, Manufacturing, or a related field5+ years of experience in aerospace and defense, industrial manufacturing, technical sales, program management, or account managementProven track record of developing customer relationships and growing business within complex technical environmentsStrong project and program management skills, with excellent communication, negotiation, and presentation abilitiesAbility to travel up to 30-50% as required
Preferred qualifications:
Experience supporting aerospace OEMs, defense contractors, or Tier 1 suppliersKnowledge of aerospace and defense quality systems and standards (AS9100, NADCAP, ITAR, DFARS, etc.)Experience with thermal systems, sensors, controls, industrial components, or engineered manufacturing solutionsPMP certification, MBA, or advanced technical degree
| Location | Saint Louis, MO |