Director of Program Management

Rock West Composites is seeking a Segment Director of Programs to lead program execution and customer success across a business segment serving space programs.

This role provides strategic leadership for a team of Program Managers while owning segment performance across customer satisfaction, program execution, financial performance, and business growth. Working closely with Engineering, Operations, Supply Chain, Finance, and Executive Leadership, you'll ensure programs are delivered on schedule, within budget, and aligned with customer and business objectives.

This is a highly visible leadership role for someone who thrives on building teams, developing customer relationships, driving operational excellence, and growing a business.

Position Summary:

The Director of Program Management provides strategic leadership for all program management activities within an assigned Business Segment, overseeing a team of Program Managers and ensuring successful execution of customer programs. This role is responsible for delivering programs that meet customer and business objectives related to scope, cost, schedule, quality, and technical performance while driving customer satisfaction, contract compliance, and operational excellence. The Director is accountable for segment financial performance, including forecasting, budgeting, resource planning, and profitability, while establishing program management best practices that support business growth and organizational objectives.

What you'll own:

• Overall performance and profitability (P&L) of an assigned business segment
• Leadership and development of the Program Management organization
• Customer relationships, contract execution, and scope management
• Program execution across cost, schedule, quality, and technical performance
• Resource planning, forecasting, and business growth initiatives
• Continuous improvement of program management processes and best practices

Essential Functions:

Strategic Program Leadership

• Provide executive oversight of customer programs from proposal through production and delivery.
• Ensure programs achieve customer and business objectives for scope, cost, schedule, quality, and technical performance.
• Establish program priorities and allocate resources to support business objectives.
• Develop, implement, and enforce program management policies, procedures, and best practices.
• Provide technical guidance and executive support to critical programs as needed

Customer & Business Management

• Drive growth within existing customer accounts while supporting new business opportunities.
• Own contract scope management across the business segment.
• Guide customer engagement activities performed by Program Managers to ensure alignment with contractual commitments and business objectives.
• Partner with customers and internal stakeholders to resolve issues, negotiate changes, and ensure long-term customer success.
• Evaluate outsourcing opportunities and coordinate external resources to meet program cost, schedule, and technical requirements.

Financial & Operations Leadership

• Own segment Profit & Loss (P&L) performance and achievement of financial objectives.
• Lead forecasting activities including revenue, bookings, staffing, hiring, capital expenditures (CAPEX), IRAD investments, and operational capacity.
• Monitor program financial performance and monthly job costs, implementing corrective actions when necessary.
• Create functional strategies and operational plans that support enterprise growth and profitability.

People Leadership

• Lead, coach, and develop a team of Program Managers through hiring, mentoring, performance management, and succession planning.
• Assign Program Managers to customer accounts and programs based on business priorities and organizational capacity.
• Define roles, responsibilities, and departmental objectives while fostering accountability and continuous improvement.
• Build and maintain a collaborative, high-performing Program Management organization.

Non-Essential Functions:

• Manages individual programs and other duties as assigned
  

What You Bring:

Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Materials Science, or related technical discipline; or equivalent experience in advanced manufacturing.
• 10+ years of experience leading complex aerospace, defense, composites, or advanced manufacturing programs.
• 5+ years of leadership experience managing Program Managers or technical organizations.
• Proven success managing customer programs, financial performance, and organizational growth.

Technical & Business Expertise

• Strong understanding of manufacturing, engineering, product development, and program execution.
• Experience managing program budgets, forecasting, P&L, and strategic planning.
• Advanced knowledge of composite materials, metallics, coatings, bonding, product development, testing, or related technologies preferred.
• Strong understanding of customer contracts, scope management, and business operations.

Leadership & Professional Skills

• Strategic thinker with exceptional business acumen and decision-making abilities.
• Proven ability to build, develop, and lead high-performing teams.
• Strong customer relationship management and negotiation skills.
• Excellent communication and cross-functional leadership abilities.
• Demonstrated ability to drive operational excellence, business growth, and continuous improvement.

Compensation & Benefits

• Salary Range: $150,000 – $210,000 (based on experience and skillset)
• 100% Employer-Paid Medical & Dental
• Annual Bonus Program
• 401(k) with 5% Match
• Employee Stock Option Program
• 9/80 Work Schedule (every other Friday off)
• Paid Holidays + Generous PTO 
• $2,500 Tuition Reimbursement

Equal Opportunity Employer

Rock West Composites is an Equal Opportunity Employer. It is the policy of the company to provide equal opportunity for all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, religious creed, ancestry, gender, pregnancy, sex, sexual orientation, transitioning status, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, age, genetic information, military and veteran status, marital status, medical condition, mental disability, physical disability, or any other basis protected by local, state, or federal law. EEO is the law. We also prohibit compensation discrimination under all applicable laws. Certain positions require meeting the U.S. Person definition in 22 CFR 120.62.

ITAR Requirement

To conform to U.S. Government export regulations, applicant must be a (i) U.S. citizen or national, (ii) U.S. lawful, permanent resident (aka green card holder) as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1101(a)(20), (iii) Refugee under 8 U.S.C. 1157, or (iv) Asylee under 8 U.S.C. 1158, Must be authorized to work in the U.S. without the company’s immigration sponsorship now or in the future. Rock West Composites will not offer immigration sponsorship for this position. Rock West Composites will not seek an export authorization for this role. Rock West Composites maintains a Drug and Alcohol-Free Workplace. Depending on state law and the nature of the position, candidates who receive a conditional offer of employment may be required to complete a drug screening. Rock West Composites may also conduct drug and alcohol testing based on reasonable suspicion, post-incident, or for safety-sensitive positions as permitted by law.

Accommodation Notice

If you are an individual with a disability and require a reasonable accommodation to complete any part of the application process, or are limited in the ability or unable to access or use this online application process and need an alternative method for applying, you may contact 858-537-6260.