The Role
The Defense Program Manager oversees defense programs from prototype through production, ensuring alignment between customers and operations while improving processes and communication across teams.
Summary Generated by Built In
Position Overview:
As Velo3D continues to expand its footprint across Defense and Aerospace, the Defense Program Manager will play a critical role in bridging Business Development wins with successful program execution. This role ensures that awarded defense programs transition seamlessly from capture to production, delivering value to customers while aligning internal teams around performance, quality, and readiness.
The Defense Program Manager will oversee key customer programs from prototype and qualification through scaled production working closely with internal stakeholders and external partners. Initially an individual contributor role, this position has the potential to grow into a leadership position as the defense business scales.
Responsibilities
- Customer-Facing & Program Leadership
- Serve as the primary point of contact for critical defense programs (e.g., Eglin AFB, DEVCOM, NAVAIR, or prime contractor initiatives), ensuring post-award alignment between customer requirements and Velo3D execution.
- Own all aspects of program execution post-PO, including:
- Schedule and deliverable management
- Change order coordination and documentation
- Customer and internal reporting cadence
- Proactively manage stakeholder communications to ensure expectations, milestones, and risks are clearly understood and mitigated.
- Sales-to-Production Transition
- • Lead the handoff process from Business Development to Operations by translating Statements of Work (SOWs), technical data packages, and contractual requirements into executable manufacturing plans.
- • Ensure technical, contractual, and commercial elements are documented and traceable across all program phases—from qualification to repeat production.
- • Coordinate cross-functionally to ensure readiness for program start, including facility, material, and resource alignment.
- Operational Excellence & Process Control
- Maintain and continuously improve:
- Program quoting tools and templates
- Vendor and subcontractor quote repository
- Technical data management systems for defense compliance and ITAR-controlled information
- Own the creation and maintenance of the RPS Master Schedule for defense programs, ensuring visibility and accountability across teams.
- Support compliance and readiness reviews tied to AS9100, ITAR, DFARS, and defense customer audits.
- Internal Operations & Continuous Improvement
- Act as a RPS LEAN leader within the Defense organization, driving process improvements that enhance delivery performance, reduce waste, and strengthen scalability.
- Serve as the operational liaison between:
- Applications Engineering
- Operations & Manufacturing
- Supply Chain & Vendors
- Quality Assurance
- Fulfillment & Logistics
- Finance & Contracts
- Prioritize work-in-progress (WIP) and production scheduling to meet customer delivery timelines and align with internal capacity.
Travel
- Expect 25–50% travel to Velo3D headquarters, partner sites, and customer locations to ensure program alignment, readiness, and execution success
Top Skills
As9100
Itar
Lean
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The Company
What We Do
Velo3D provides a fully integrated metal 3D printing solution for mission-critical parts used for space exploration, to enhance transportation efficiency, and to produce cleaner energy. Our advanced solution helps innovators build the complex parts they need without compromising design or quality, empowering the visionaries of today to build the technologies of tomorrow.
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