Employee Experience Program Manager Jobs in Tucson, AZ

Program Manager

Workplace Type: On-site

Location: Tucson, AZ

Employment Type: Full-time

Seniority Level: Mid-Senior level

Industries: Defense Manufacturing, Aerospace, Industrial Manufacturing

Job Functions: Program Management, Project Management, Manufacturing

About the Opportunity

Leonard Workforce Solutions is conducting a confidential search on behalf of a growing defense manufacturer in Tucson, Arizona, seeking an experienced Program Manager to own the end-to-end execution of a newly awarded Department of War prototype program. The work is publicly disclosed: the client received a $27.7M Defense Production Act (DPA) Title III award flowing through a Defense Industrial Base Consortium (DIBC) Other Transaction Agreement, sitting inside a broader $120M, eight-project industrial base initiative tied to the U.S. solid rocket motor supply chain.

This Program Manager will be the primary point of contact between the company and the government sponsor, the Consortium Management Organization (CMO), and internal cross-functional teams. The role spans approximately three years of dedicated program ownership during the prototype buildout, with a planned transition into the company's broader programs and sales function once the new line is operational.

The seat reports directly to senior leadership and offers high visibility, real ownership, and a clear long-term career path in a growing defense manufacturer.

What You'll Do

- Serve as the primary interface with the government sponsor and the Consortium Management Organization throughout program execution.

- Own contract compliance across FAR, DFARS, CUI, and CMMC requirements applicable to the OT Agreement.

- Translate program requirements into executable milestones, deliverables, schedule, and budget.

- Lead cross-functional coordination across engineering, operations, supply chain, contracts, finance, and quality.

- Manage cost share execution, invoicing, and financial reporting against the agreement.

- Drive risk management, mitigation planning, and proactive sponsor communication.

- Integrate a newly awarded prototype manufacturing line into the company's existing production environment.

- Deliver executive-level reporting, milestone documentation, and audit-ready records.

- Build the program governance, reporting cadence, and traceability infrastructure from the ground up.

What We're Looking For

- 8 to 10 years of program or project management experience, ideally in a DoD, government contracting, or federally regulated environment.

- US Person status (US citizen or lawful permanent resident). The role is ITAR and EAR controlled.

- Strong written and verbal communication skills. This role lives or dies on how clearly the program manager represents the company to the government sponsor and CMO.

- Demonstrated experience in at least two of the following lanes: industrial manufacturing, defense industry, supply chain, DoD contracting and federal regulations.

- Comfort with structured, compliance-driven program execution, including FAR, DFARS, CMMC, and CUI requirements.

- Resourcefulness and comfort building program rails on a new initiative rather than inheriting a defined playbook.

- Strong people-side leadership skills and cross-functional coordination experience.

Nice to Have

- Direct experience with Other Transaction Agreements (OTAs) or non-FAR contract vehicles such as DIBC, NSTXL, MCDC, S2MARTS, CRADAs, or federal grants.

- PMP certification.

- Aerospace, defense, or industrial manufacturing industry background.

- Manufacturing program integration or NPI (New Product Introduction) experience.

- Active Security Clearance.

- Earned Value Management (EVM) experience.

Compensation

Compensation will be discussed with qualified candidates and reflects the seniority and visibility of the program. The position includes a comprehensive benefits package.

Location

Full-time on-site in Tucson, Arizona. This role is not eligible for remote or hybrid work arrangements.

How to Apply

Submit your resume directly through this listing. Qualified candidates will be contacted for an initial conversation to discuss the role, the program, and compensation in detail.

Skills

Program Management, DoD Contracting, FAR / DFARS, CMMC, CUI Compliance, Risk Management, Cross-Functional Leadership, Stakeholder Engagement, Manufacturing Operations, Cost and Schedule Management