Senior Production Program Manager, Barracuda

ABOUT THE TEAM

As Production Program Manager for Barracuda, you will report to the Head of Production in overseeing the manufacturing and production lifecycle. You will work cross functionally with engineering, supply chain, operations, quality, program management, growth, and leadership teams to ensure the successful execution of production programs. Your role is critical in driving efficiency, managing schedules, mitigating risks, and ensuring that projects are delivered on time, within scope, and on a budget.

If you possess a good foundation for manufacturing operational excellence coupled with determination/grit, join us in shaping the future of military might. Your work will not only translate prototypes for scalable production but also change the balance of defense capabilities on a global scale. Apply now and become a vital part of our mission to secure a safer tomorrow.

Please note: There will likely be up 25% travel required for this role.

WHAT YOU'LL DO

• Process Optimization – Drive continuous improvement initiatives aligned with our COGs objectives to enhance production efficiency, scalability, and cost effectiveness during the development and pre-production phase.
• Budget & Cost Control – Monitor project budgets, track progress and ensure we are continually focused on identifying and solving issues to enable a successful transition to full scale production.
• Stakeholder Communication – Provide regular updates to internal teams and leadership, ensuring transparency on project status, risks, and solutions.
• Resource Management – Ensure appropriate allocation of materials, labor and equipment to meet production readiness goals.
• Risk Management – Identify, assess, and mitigate potential risks and roadblocks that could impact project timelines or operational readiness.
• Cross Functional Collaboration – Coordinate between engineering, supply chain, manufacturing, program management, growth, quality and leadership teams to align pre-production efforts with business objectives leading up to program transition to full scale production.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering, Operations Management or related field
• 8+ years of experience in operations program management, production, manufacturing, preferably in defense, aerospace, or complex hardware industries
• Strong understanding of manufacturing processes, supply chain management, and production workflows
• Experience launching new products with condensed timelines
• Experience with project management methodologies (Agile, Lean, TPS, Six Sigma, etc.)
• Proficiency in project management tools (Jira, Confluence, MS Project, Gantt Charts)
• Excellent problem-solving, analytical, and organizational skills
• Strong communication and leadership abilities to influence and align cross functional teams
• Ability to work in a fast-paced, dynamic environment with evolving priorities
• Eligible to obtain and maintain an active U.S. security clearance

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Experience in defense, aerospace, or automotive manufacturing
• Experience with ERP, MRP, MES, PLM systems