Operations Program Manager III

Job Description
Our flexible work environment provides you a chance to change the world without giving up your personal life. We put our customers first - exemplified by our mission: "We Protect Those Who Protect Us®." Sound like a team you want to be a part of? Come build your career with us. We welcome all those who have big ideas, crave innovation, want to drive fielding velocity and have the passion to bring the warfighter home safe.
Our Operations Program Manager (OPM) will assist with managing a major development program(s) in the Small Form Factor Solutions (SFFS) product line. The OPM serves as the liaison between project management and planning, project team, Quality, engineering design team and line management along with the following duties:

• Coordinate closely with factories, Supply Chain, Procurement, and Program Management to ensure on-time, cost-effective delivery of parts and assemblies, including NRE and production transitions.
• Lead operational performance efforts, including CAB meetings, COPQ/HPU reduction, affordability initiatives, and risk mitigation across technical, schedule, and cost domains.
• Manage program execution by overseeing budgets, schedules, forecasts, quality, resource planning, capital needs, and alignment across functional areas.
• Present clear, concise operations data to leadership and provide guidance to teams on technical decisions, corrective actions, and priority setting.
• Drive cross-functional collaboration to improve processes, reduce defects, increase efficiencies, and maintain strong teamwork and communication.
• Serve as the primary operations interface to Program Management, ensuring coordination on delivery schedules, cost targets, and customer satisfaction.
• Support implementation of new systems, procedures, safety initiatives, and special projects to meet manufacturing and program objectives.

Required Education, Experience, & Skills

• Excellent Program/project management skills.
• Strong Supply Chain and/ or Manufacturing background.
• Risk and Opportunity Management.
• Cost Account Management (CAM).
• Demonstrated experience in production and sustainment or development programs.
• Experience with proposals and the Operations proposal process.
• Strong problem solving skills and demonstrated aptitude to manage scope and a budget.
• High degree of ethics and strong core values.
• Strong oral communication and formal presentation skills and a demonstrated ability to establish excellent internal and external customer relationships.
• Ability to work both independently and as a member of team with initiative, creativity, and innovation.

Preferred Education, Experience, & Skills

• Bachelor's degree with 8 years experience or relevant experiences.
• High degree of ethics and strong core values.
• PMP, Six Sigma or other related Certifications.
• Strong Foundation in Operations Function.
• Analytical skills and the ability to work independently to develop Leadership presentations for the Operations and Program function.
• Strong communication skills -
  • Having an ability to communicate a strategy or problem to other people.
  • Being able to speak at any level from factory floor to director level.
  • Willingness to ask questions to thoroughly learn manufacturing processes on the factory side, and financial implications on the program side.
• Strong Time Management Skills
  • Highly organized when balancing needs of multiple factories and programs.
• Ability to take initiative and be proactive when facing technical, cost, or schedule challenges.
• Ability to lead small teams.

Pay Information
Full-Time Salary Range: $132962 - $226035
Please note: This range is based on our market pay structures. However, individual salaries are determined by a variety of factors including, but not limited to: business considerations, local market conditions, and internal equity, as well as candidate qualifications, such as skills, education, and experience.
Employee Benefits: At BAE Systems, we support our employees in all aspects of their life, including their health and financial well-being. Regular employees scheduled to work 20+ hours per week are offered: health, dental, and vision insurance; health savings accounts; a 401(k) savings plan; disability coverage; and life and accident insurance. We also have an employee assistance program, a legal plan, and other perks including discounts on things like home, auto, and pet insurance. Our leave programs include paid time off, paid holidays, as well as other types of leave, including paid parental, military, bereavement, and any applicable federal and state sick leave. Employees may participate in the company recognition program to receive monetary or non-monetary recognition awards. Other incentives may be available based on position level and/or job specifics.
About BAE Systems, Inc.
BAE Systems, Inc. is a defense, aerospace, and security company headquartered in Falls Church, Virginia, with more than 40,000 employees worldwide. We serve, supply, and protect those who protect us. As one of the most geographically diverse international defense companies, we deliver a full range of products and services spanning air, land, maritime, space, and cyber, including advanced electronics, intelligence solutions, and dedicated customer support.
Our culture is performance-driven and values-led, built on curiosity, creativity, and collaboration. Purpose isn't a tagline here. It's what drives us. We're developing breakthrough technologies that defend national security and make a lasting impact on our communities and our planet. When you join BAE Systems, you're not just building a career. You're contributing to a mission that truly matters.
This position will be posted for at least 5 calendar days. The posting will remain active until the position is filled, or a qualified pool of candidates is identified.