Senior Engineering Program Manager Level 4

Location: Wichita, KS, US

Employment Type: FULL_TIME

Overview

We are seeking a highly accomplished Engineering Program Manager (Level 4 or Level 5) to lead complex aerospace manufacturing programs from contract award through production and delivery. This role is ideal for an experienced professional who can immediately step into customer-facing and cross-functional leadership responsibilities while driving execution across engineering, manufacturing, quality, supply chain, operations, and leadership teams.

The successful candidate will be a highly personable and influential leader with exceptional communication skills, strong technical acumen, and a proven ability to navigate complex organizations. This individual must be capable of building strong relationships with customers, internal stakeholders, and suppliers while ensuring all technical, quality, schedule, and financial objectives are met.

 

This is not an entry-level program management position. We are seeking someone who can quickly assess challenges, develop solutions, align teams, and drive results with minimal onboarding.

Responsibilities

• Lead complex aerospace manufacturing programs from contract award through production, qualification, and delivery.
• Serve as the primary customer interface for program execution, technical discussions, schedule commitments, and issue resolution.
• Lead cross-functional teams consisting of engineering, manufacturing, quality, supply chain, production planning, and operations personnel.
• Drive successful introduction of new products into manufacturing while ensuring readiness across all departments.
• Coordinate and monitor all program activities to ensure technical, schedule, quality, and financial objectives are achieved.
• Review customer drawings, specifications, engineering changes, and configuration requirements to ensure program compliance.
• Identify program risks, develop mitigation plans, and proactively resolve issues before they impact cost, schedule, or quality.
• Ensure production planning, routings, BOMs, tooling requirements, supplier support, and manufacturing processes are accurate and production ready.
• Review Product Configuration Control Information (PCCI), Bills of Material (BOMs), work instructions, and engineering documentation.
• Monitor program performance through KPIs, milestones, budgets, and schedule tracking.
• Lead customer meetings, program reviews, technical discussions, and status updates.
• Prepare and present executive-level program status reports and recovery plans when necessary.
• Coordinate engineering changes, corrective actions, revision updates, and customer-directed modifications.
• Support quoting activities, cost estimates, and business development efforts as needed.
• Participate in Lean Manufacturing and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Exercise authority to escalate or stop production activities when quality, safety, or contractual requirements are at risk.

Qualifications

Education (Required)

Bachelor's Degree in Engineering (Aerospace, Mechanical, Manufacturing, Industrial, or related engineering discipline) is required. Master's Degree in Engineering, Business Administration (MBA), or Program Management is preferred.

Experience

Level 4 Engineering Program Manager

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering required.
• Minimum 5+ years of aerospace, aviation, defense, or advanced manufacturing experience.
• Minimum 5+ years of program management, project management, engineering leadership, or New Product Introduction (NPI) experience.
• Demonstrated track record managing complex technical programs and cross-functional teams.
• Experience working directly with customers and executive stakeholders.

Level 5 Engineering Program Manager

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering required.
• Minimum 8+ years of aerospace, aviation, defense, or advanced manufacturing experience.
• Minimum 8+ years leading strategic programs, major customer efforts, or large-scale product launches.
• Demonstrated success managing high-value, high-complexity aerospace programs.
• Proven ability to influence executive leadership, major customers, and multi-discipline teams.
• Experience mentoring junior program managers and engineering personnel preferred.

Technical Qualifications

• Strong ability to interpret engineering drawings, specifications, manufacturing plans, and technical documentation.
• Strong understanding of aerospace manufacturing processes, assembly operations, fabrication, machining, and supply chain management.
• Experience with New Product Introduction (NPI) programs from concept through production.
• Working knowledge of configuration management and engineering change processes.
• Strong proficiency with ERP/MRP systems.
• Advanced Microsoft Office skills, including Excel, PowerPoint, and Project.
• Experience with CATIA V5 and aerospace design environments preferred.
• Familiarity with AS9100 quality systems and aerospace regulatory requirements preferred.

Leadership Competencies

The ideal candidate will be:

• Highly personable and relationship-oriented.
• An exceptional communicator capable of influencing without direct authority.
• Comfortable interacting with customers, executives, engineers, operators, and suppliers.
• A confident decision-maker who remains calm under pressure.
• Driven by accountability, ownership, and execution.
• Skilled at conflict resolution and stakeholder management.
• Able to prioritize competing demands in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.
• Focused on team collaboration while maintaining program objectives.

Physical Requirements

While performing the duties of this position, the employee is regularly required to communicate, collaborate, and work at a computer. The employee will frequently move throughout office and manufacturing environments and may occasionally be required to lift or move up to 25 pounds. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this role.

Work Environment

This position operates in both office and manufacturing settings.

• Regular interaction with engineering and manufacturing personnel.
• Occasional exposure to shop floor conditions and production operations.
• Required use of appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) when entering manufacturing areas.
• Moderate noise levels consistent with aerospace manufacturing operations.