Program Manager

Aerospace Program Manager – Tooling & ManufacturingSalary: $95,000–$120,000/yearEmployment Type: Direct HireLocation: Onsite- Chesterfield, MIPosition OverviewWe are seeking an experienced Aerospace Program Manager to lead complex aerospace tooling and manufacturing programs from initial customer kickoff through final delivery and closeout.This position serves as the primary point of coordination between the customer and internal teams, ensuring technical requirements, schedules, budgets, quality expectations, contractual obligations, and delivery commitments remain aligned throughout the program.The ideal candidate will have experience managing programs within an aerospace manufacturing environment and be comfortable working directly with Engineering, Tool Building, Machining, Fabrication, Purchasing, Quality, and production teams. Experience operating within an AS9100D Quality Management System is highly valuable.Key ResponsibilitiesProgram ManagementLead assigned aerospace tooling and manufacturing programs from customer kickoff through final delivery and closeout.Develop and maintain program schedules, milestones, priorities, deliverables, and key dates.Track program budgets, labor, materials, resources, schedule performance, and overall program health.Monitor progress against customer and internal commitments.Identify schedule, resource, cost, quality, and capacity concerns before they impact delivery.Provide clear program status updates to customers and company leadership.Coordinate activities across Engineering, Tool Building, Machining, Fabrication, Quality, Purchasing, and other supporting departments.Customer & Contract ManagementServe as a primary customer contact for program status, requirements, schedules, changes, and deliverables.Review purchase orders, contracts, Statements of Work, specifications, engineering drawings, models, BOMs, and related documentation.Participate in customer and contract requirement reviews.Ensure contractual, customer, regulatory, and statutory requirements are clearly understood and communicated internally.Identify and resolve unclear, incomplete, or conflicting requirements before work proceeds.Maintain appropriate documentation demonstrating customer requirement review and communication.Monitor customer satisfaction and escalate concerns when appropriate.Engineering & Manufacturing CoordinationPartner with Engineering to ensure technical requirements are incorporated into program planning and execution.Review drawings, specifications, BOMs, models, and manufacturing information for program clarity and feasibility.Coordinate program requirements with Tool Builders, Machinists, Welders/Fabricators, Quality, and other production personnel.Monitor manufacturing progress and identify issues that could affect cost, quality, schedule, or delivery.Facilitate communication between engineering, program management, and shop-floor manufacturing teams.Support the effective implementation and communication of engineering and manufacturing changes.Risk & Change ManagementProactively identify and manage risks related to:Product conformity and qualityCustomer and contractual requirementsSchedule and deliveryProgram costs and budgetsLabor and resource availabilityManufacturing capacityTechnical requirementsSupplier performanceCustomer satisfactionCommunicate identified risks to the appropriate stakeholders and help develop corrective or mitigation actions.Ensure program changes are properly evaluated, authorized, documented, and communicated.Prevent unauthorized changes from being implemented when formal customer or internal approval is required.Quality & ComplianceManage assigned programs in accordance with established company procedures and the AS9100D Quality Management System.Ensure customer, contractual, quality, and regulatory requirements are incorporated into program execution.Maintain accurate program records and documentation.Partner closely with Quality to address product conformity and customer requirement concerns.