Sr. Principal Program Manager

We’re looking for an experienced leader in engineering program management to help our growing world-class custom optics fabrication and optical subsystem businesses at Coherent Aerospace & Defense. 

The ideal candidate is an optics industry veteran with deep knowledge of the specialty custom optic business. Prior experience in managing aerospace & defense related projects and interacting with aerospace and defense customers is imperative; experience in higher-level program and product management is also highly desirable. The candidate must be a charismatic problem-solving and solutions-oriented team player. This is an important role reporting directly to the Product Line Director and represents a unique opportunity to help craft the culture and program management processes for a growing stable business within Coherent Aerospace & Defense. The successful candidate will work on complex problems and exciting opportunities that enable technologies in current and future cutting-edge defense and commercial optical systems. 

Coherent Aerospace & Defense is a leading provider of cutting-edge optical technologies dedicated to enhancing various industries including aerospace, defense and scientific research. Our commitment to innovation and quality has positioned us as a global leader in the field of optical fabrication and assembly. We are seeking an experienced Sr. Principal Program Manager to join our team. The position is based in Murrieta, California.

• You will be responsible for leading a cross-functional team of engineers and operations personnel to develop, define, and execute project plans, schedules, budgets and deliverables. 
• Ensure revenue projects achieve profitability targets. Identify and mitigate project technical, schedule, and financial risks.
• Coordinate cross-functionally to ensure customer requirements are well understood by engineering and operations. Coordinate engineering design development with functional leads.
• Coordinate with operations to define the Statement of Work and Specifications for subcontracted processes (substrate blanks, precision machining, coating, etc.). 
• Manage project scope and changes for all assigned projects; coordinate with contracts and sales functional teams and ensure project changes are captured appropriately.
• Support the management of customer relationships for the custom optics projects from the end of the sales process through product delivery with effective communication; will be required to engage and impress high-end commercial, aerospace, military and government organizations.
• Present all aspects of project status to internal and external stakeholders.
• Produce customer required reports and other contractual deliverables relating to custom optics projects.
• Drive feasibility studies, vendor selections and proposals for evaluation by appropriate key stakeholders. 
• Initiate investigations into new technology when necessary.
• Drive resolution of quality issues that require customer inputs; ensure shipped product meets specifications and quality goals.
• May be called upon to support marketing efforts and product road map development.

 

Education & Experience

• BS/MS in a relevant engineering or applied science discipline with 12+ years related experience, or 10 years of experience and a Master’s degree 
• 5+ years of program management experience, including tracking and planning projects. Expertise with MS Project and other project management tools.
• In depth knowledge of optical systems engineering and optical fabrication
• 5+ years of experience working in optics
• Demonstrable customer relationship management experience
• Drive for ambitious results and accountability of business needs
• Ability to work cross-functionally to achieve common business objectives
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills
• Decisiveness in prioritization and quick resolution of business challenges

Skills

• Strong planning and leadership ability to coordinate and get tasks accomplished through non direct reports. Ability, flexibility, versatility and comfort level for working with multiple individuals and personalities.
• Strong interpersonal, teaming, and problem-solving skills.
• Strong communication skills and business acumen. Must be able to judge situations regarding the larger business picture as well as the immediate need. Must be able to structure internal and especially external communication accordingly.

Working Conditions

Job operates in a professional environment. Routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, filing cabinets and fax machines. Noise leve