Senior Program Manager

Founded in 1918, Kearfott Corporation, a global Aerospace and Defense supplier for over 100 years, is a leader in the design and manufacture of precision motion control products and inertial navigation components.  Kearfott has a very long history of innovation and excellence and is the go-to brand for many of our global clients. Kearfott is trusted, respected, and plays a vital role in the success of America’s aerospace and defense industries. With over a century of expertise & experience, Kearfott is dedicated to providing quality, reliability, and cutting-edge technology to customers worldwide to meet their sea, land, air, and space navigation and guidance requirements.

We are looking for talented individuals who want to be part of a world-class workforce. Join Kearfott and become part of a company that is recognized for technical expertise and respected worldwide as a ‘full service’ provider.

For more information, visit our website at www.kearfott.com

Senior Program Manager

Position Summary

The Senior Program Manager is responsible for leading complex development programs and Internal Research & Development (IRAD) efforts that support company growth and future product development. This role works closely with engineering, operations, finance, business development, and leadership teams to plan, execute, and monitor programs from concept through completion.

The Senior Program Manager ensures program objectives are achieved by coordinating resources, managing risks, tracking performance, and facilitating communication among stakeholders.

The role serves as a key leader in driving program execution, resolving issues, and ensuring alignment between technical, operational, and business objectives while serving as the primary customer interface and Voice of the Customer throughout the program lifecycle.

Key Responsibilities

Program Leadership

• Lead complex development programs and IRAD initiatives from planning through execution and transition.
• Define program scope, objectives, schedules, budgets, and success criteria.
• Coordinate resources and activities across multiple functional organizations.
• Monitor program performance and implement corrective actions when needed.
• Identify and manage program risks, issues, and dependencies.
• Provide regular status updates and recommendations to leadership.
• Coordinate the transition of successful IRAD efforts into customer-funded programs or product development activities.
• Serve as the primary point of contact between customers and internal stakeholders for assigned programs.
• Represent customer requirements, priorities, and concerns within internal program reviews and decision-making activities.
• Establish and maintain strong customer relationships to support successful program execution and long-term business objectives.

Program Execution & Process Management

• Develop and maintain integrated program plans and schedules.
• Establish program plans, budgets, schedules, and technical objectives.
• Ensure program activities are executed in accordance with company processes and customer requirements.
• Ensure program activities are executed in accordance with company processes, contractual obligations, and customer requirements.
• Drive issue resolution and facilitate decision-making across functional teams.
• Support continuous improvement of program management practices and execution processes.
• Monitor program performance related to cost, schedule, quality, and technical objectives.
• Support Earned Value Management System (EVMS) requirements when applicable.

Cross-Functional Leadership

• Lead coordination between engineering, manufacturing, quality, supply chain, finance, and business development teams.
• Build alignment among stakeholders to support successful program execution.
• Facilitate program reviews, status meetings, and milestone assessments.
• Serve as the primary internal and external interface for assigned programs, coordinating communications between customers and cross-functional teams.
• Facilitate customer program reviews, status meetings, milestone assessments, and issue resolution activities.

Business Support

• Support proposal efforts, customer discussions, and business development activities as needed.
• Assist in evaluating future opportunities and technology investments.
• Provide program management input to support company growth initiatives.
• Support customer engagements, program reviews, contract execution activities, and change management discussions as required.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Business, Program Management, or a related discipline.
• Minimum of eight (8) years of progressive program management experience, including responsibility for planning, executing, and delivering complex programs.
• Demonstrated success leading cross-functional teams in a technical, manufacturing, aerospace, defense, or other highly regulated environment.
• Experience managing development programs, technology maturation efforts, new product introductions, or Internal Research & Development (IRAD) initiatives.
• Strong knowledge of program planning, scheduling, risk management, cost management, and performance tracking.
• Experience coordinating activities across engineering, operations, manufacturing, quality, supply chain, finance, and business development organizations.
• Excellent communication, presentation, facilitation, and stakeholder management skills with the ability to influence decisions and drive alignment across multiple organizations.
• Experience supporting customer interactions, proposal activities, contract execution, and program reviews is preferred.
• Experience with Earned Value Management Systems (EVMS) is preferred.
• PMP certification through PMI is preferred.
• Aerospace, defense, navigation, guidance, control systems, electronics, or other complex product development experience is preferred.
• Must be a U.S. citizen

In compliance with pay transparency requirements, the salary range for this role in New Jersey is $150,000 - $190,000 Annually. This is not a guarantee of compensation or salary, as the final offer amount may vary based on factors including but not limited to job-related knowledge and skills, experience, and internal consistency.

Additionally, we offer medical, prescription, dental, vision, life, and disability insurance, a 401(k) plan with company match, tuition assistance, paid vacation and sick days, paid holidays, and a 9/80 work week with every other Friday off. Our work environment embraces our people as we enjoy monthly employee events that celebrate our workplace culture.

Equal Opportunity Employer/including Disabled/Veterans