Program Manager IV

Job DescriptionThe Program Manager IV – Proposal Execution serves as the Proposal Content Lead for all Exeter program proposals. This role ensures alignment between Bid & Proposal activities and program execution by developing executable program plans that deliver customer value and reflect organizational capabilities. The Program Manager IV partners across Business Development, Program Management, Engineering, Operations, Finance, Supply Chain, and Manufacturing to validate customer requirements, schedules, resources, costs, and risks before commitments are made.This position is responsible for developing and continuously improving proposal planning processes, scheduling methodologies, and execution readiness standards. The primary objective is to ensure every proposal represents an executable commitment that aligns customer requirements with organizational capabilities across scope, schedule, cost, and technical performance.ResponsibilitiesProposal Planning & Execution ReadinessServe as the Proposal Content Lead from opportunity assessment through proposal submission, ensuring all required functional inputs are identified, coordinated, completed, and integrated.Lead the development and validation of executable program plans, resource-loaded schedules, and planning assumptions for production, development, and NPI opportunities.Validate organizational readiness by coordinating functional assessment of resource availability, manufacturing capacity, material lead times, operational constraints, and execution feasibility.Partner with Business Development, Engineering, Operations, and other functional leaders to ensure proposal strategies align customer missions, priorities, and desired outcomes with Frontgrade growth objectives.Facilitate cross-functional evaluation of proposed solutions to ensure they strengthen customer relationships, maximize customer value, and remain executable within organizational capabilities.Support bid/no-bid decisions by ensuring customer value, technical performance, cost, schedule, execution risk, and organizational capability are fully considered.Proposal Strategy & Customer ValuePartner with Business Development, Engineering, Operations, and other functional leaders to ensure proposal strategies align customer missions, priorities, and desired outcomes with Frontgrade growth objectives.Facilitate cross-functional evaluation of proposed solutions to ensure they strengthen customer relationships, maximize customer value, and remain executable within organizational capabilities.Support bid/no-bid decisions by ensuring customer value, technical performance, cost, schedule, execution risk, and organizational capability are fully considered.Requirements, Risk & EstimatingEnsure customer requirements, statements of work, specifications, and contractual obligations are reviewed, understood, addressed, and traceable to proposal plans.Coordinate the development and review of proposal planning inputs, including Basis of Estimates, work breakdown structures, execution assumptions, schedules, and resource plans.Facilitate identification, assessment, communication, and mitigation of technical, schedule, operational, supply chain, and resource risks while maintaining proposal competitiveness.Cross-Functional Leadership & GovernanceCoordinate proposal activities across Engineering, Operations, Manufacturing, Quality, Supply Chain, Finance, and Business Development to ensure functional inputs are complete and aligned.Lead proposal planning reviews, present integrated execution assessments, and drive closure of action items through proposal approval gates.Build stakeholder alignment, resolve conflicts related to scope, resources, schedule, and execution strategy, and support transition into program execution.Continuous ImprovementAnalyze proposal and program performance with functional stakeholders to improve planning accuracy, execution success, and schedule predictability.Capture and implement lessons learned from proposal development and program execution activities.Improve proposal planning processes, scheduling methodologies, and execution readiness standards.Experience QUALIFICATIONS Minimum eight (8) years of experience in a specialized functional discipline. OR (12) years of experience may be considered in lieu of a Bachelors Degree. OR (6) years of experience may be considered w/ a Masters Degree. OR (3) years of experience may be considered w/ a PhD.Demonstrated experience leading cross-functional planning activities that translate customer requirements into executable schedules, resource plans, program strategies, and business solutions.Experience evaluating technical, operational, schedule, and execution risk; proposal management experience in aerospace, defense, manufacturing, or another highly regulated industry strongly preferred.About Frontgrade ABOUT US At Frontgrade, we build mission-critical electronics that perform without compromise in the world’s most demanding environments, from deep space to national defense. With decades of proven heritage, we deliver high-reliability components, subsystems, and integrated solutions trusted when failure is not an option. But our strength is not just in what we build. It is in the people who make it possible. From engineers and product managers to sales teams, marketers, and skilled manufacturing professionals, every role plays a direct part in enabling missions that protect, explore, and connect our world. We move with purpose, collaborate across disciplines, and take pride in delivering solutions our customers rely on in the highest-stakes environments. If you want your work, whatever your specialty, to contribute to something bigger, you will find your place at Frontgrade.Why Work for UsWe believe mission success starts with taking care of our people. That’s why we offer competitive health, wealth, and wellbeing benefits from day one. You’ll also find real opportunities to learn, grow, and advance, whether you’re building technical expertise, leading teams, or expanding into new areas. Here, your growth is part of the mission.Additional InformationThis position may require access to technology, materials, software or hardware that is controlled by either ITAR or EAR U.S. export laws. As a condition of any job offer, in order to be employed in this position, you may need to obtain a U.S. Government export license(s), as required by law.Other Benefits IncludeImmediate Medical (FSA and HSA), Dental, and Vision401K Match with 100% immediate vesting9X80 compressed work schedule for qualifying rolesCareer Opportunity and GrowthTuition Reimbursement/Student Loan RepaymentGenerous PTO and 11 paid Holidays per year (9 designated holidays and 2 floating holidays) 8 weeks of 100% Paid Family Leave