Program Manager

About Us Swift Universal Optical Systems designs and manufactures precision components and integrated systems for both defense and commercial customers. Our products support applications where performance, reliability, and quality are critical. We are a manufacturing-focused organization with in-house engineering, production, assembly, and testing capabilities. Our team works together to solve complex technical challenges, outperform expectations, and deliver innovative, high-quality products that perform reliably in the field. We take pride in doing the job right the first time and continually raising the bar for ourselves and our customers. About the Role We are seeking an experienced Program Manager to lead customer programs from contract award through final delivery. This position serves as the primary point of coordination between customers, engineering, manufacturing, supply chain, quality, and leadership to ensure projects are executed safely, on schedule, within budget, and in accordance with contractual requirements. The Program Manager will oversee a portfolio of both defense and commercial manufacturing programs, balancing customer expectations with production capacity, material availability, and regulatory obligations. Success in this role requires a strong attention to detail, and the ability to identify and resolve issues before they affect schedule, cost, or product quality. This is an active, plant-facing position. The successful candidate will spend time working directly with internal teams, monitoring program status, addressing production challenges, and communicating progress to customers and management. The role is best suited for someone who is comfortable making decisions, holding teams accountable to commitments, and maintaining momentum from project kickoff through shipment. What You’ll Do Lead and manage programs from kickoff through completion Develop and maintain project schedules, budgets, and resource plans Coordinate with engineering, production, quality, procurement, and logistics teams Serve as the primary point of contact for internal stakeholders and external customers Ensure compliance with contractual, regulatory, and quality requirements Identify and mitigate project risks, issues, and bottlenecks Track project performance and provide regular status updates to leadership Manage change requests and ensure proper documentation and communication Oversee vendor and subcontractor performance as needed Drive process improvements to increase efficiency and scalability Required Qualifications Minimum of 5 years of project or program management experience in a manufacturing environment. Demonstrated success managing projects through all phases, from planning and procurement through production and final delivery. Working knowledge of manufacturing operations, production scheduling, material planning, quality systems, and production processes. Experience coordinating cross-functional teams, including engineering, manufacturing, supply chain, quality, and customer-facing personnel. Ability to develop and maintain project schedules, manage priorities, identify risks, and implement corrective actions to ensure project success. Strong organizational, problem-solving, and decision-making skills with the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously. Excellent written and verbal communication skills with the ability to provide clear status updates to customers, suppliers, and internal stakeholders. Experience using ERP systems and project management or production planning software. Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, including Outlook, Excel, Word, and Teams. Ability to work independently with minimal supervision while maintaining accountability for project performance, schedule adherence, and customer commitments. Preferred Qualifications Experience supporting defense, military, aerospace, or government programs. Familiarity with contract requirements, change management processes, and customer compliance obligations. Understanding of manufacturing documentation, bills of material, engineering change processes, and configuration control. Project Management Professional (PMP) certification or equivalent project management training. Compliance Requirements To comply with U.S. Government defense export regulations (ITAR), applicants must be: U.S. citizens, lawful permanent residents, or otherwise eligible to obtain required authorization Pre-employment drug screening is required. Why Join the Team at Swift Universal? Join a mission-driven team supporting critical military and civilian programs Take ownership of high-visibility manufacturing projects from start to finish Work in a fast-growing company where your impact is immediate and measurable Collaborate with a skilled, cross-functional team in a hands-on environment Benefits 401(k) with company match Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance Paid Time Off (PTO) that increases with tenure Parental leave Relocation assistance (where applicable) Schedule Monday–Friday 8-hour day shift Pay: $95,000.00 - $130,000.00 per year Benefits: 401(k) matching Dental insurance Health insurance Paid time off Vision insurance Work Location: In person