Program Manager

Location: Chatsworth, California

Time Type: Full time

Job Description

We are a fast-paced business with ambitious growth plans; so if you are dedicated, enthusiastic and always seeking ways to improve, you'll enjoy a career with us!

Position Summary

We are seeking a highly technical Program Manager to support Make/Buy and Inventory Management initiatives across aerospace manufacturing programs. This role is responsible for driving operational execution related to manufacturing planning, supplier coordination, production readiness, inventory alignment, and make/buy decision implementation.

The Program Manager will work cross-functionally with manufacturing, engineering, supply chain, quality, operations, and external suppliers to support production execution, resolve manufacturing and material constraints, and ensure alignment between program requirements and operational capabilities.

The ideal candidate combines hands-on aerospace manufacturing engineering experience with strong execution, coordination, and problem-solving capabilities in a fast-paced production environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead execution tracking, technical risk management, milestone delivery, and cross-functional coordination activities.
• Partner with engineering and operations teams to evaluate manufacturability, production capability, and sourcing strategy.
• Drive manufacturing execution planning, supplier coordination, production readiness, and material alignment activities.
• Coordinate build planning, manufacturing execution activities, process readiness, production support, and cross-functional issue resolution.
• Manage project schedules, action items, technical risks, and milestone execution.
• Evaluate internal manufacturing capabilities versus external supplier solutions.
• Support production issue resolution, root cause analysis, and corrective action implementation.
• Collaborate with suppliers to support manufacturing execution, quality improvement, material readiness, and production support activities.
• Ensure alignment between engineering requirements, manufacturing processes, and program objectives.
• Track program performance metrics including cost, schedule, yield, throughput, and quality.
• Support continuous improvement initiatives focused on efficiency, manufacturability, and cost reduction.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Manufacturing Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or related field.
• 7+ years of aerospace manufacturing engineering and/or production operations experience.
• Strong knowledge of aerospace manufacturing methods, tooling, fabrication, assembly, and production processes.
• Experience managing technical projects in a manufacturing environment.
• Familiarity with ERP/MRP systems and manufacturing documentation processes.
• Strong problem-solving and technical communication skills.
• Ability to lead cross-functional technical teams and coordinate multiple stakeholders.

Preferred Qualifications

• PMP certification preferred.
• Experience with AS9100 and aerospace quality systems.
• Background in composites, machining, assembly, structures, propulsion, or avionics manufacturing.
• Lean Manufacturing and Six Sigma certification.
• Experience with production transfer, supplier development, or factory readiness initiatives.

Compensation Pay Range

Please click here to review Ontic's California Consumer Privacy Act policy.

Ontic Engineering and Manufacturing Inc. is an Equal Opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex including sexual orientation and gender identity, national origin, disability, protected Veteran
Status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.

This position must meet export control compliance requirements. To meet export control compliance requirements, a “U.S. Person ” as defined by 22. C.F.R. §120.15 is required. “U.S. Person” includes U.S. Citizen, lawful permanent resident, asylee, or refugee.