Program Manager Defense Jobs in Stamford, CT (NOW HIRING)

Job Title: Program ManagerJob Description
The Program Manager oversees the planning, coordination, and execution of manufacturing programs within an aerospace and defense environment. This role collaborates closely with engineering, sales, and vendors to ensure accurate project scoping, scheduling, and delivery while maintaining strong relationships with customers. The Program Manager works across multiple functions, sees products through the full manufacturing lifecycle, and prepares presentations for customer meetings, offering the opportunity to wear many hats in a growing organization with very low attrition.
Responsibilities

• Assist in the development and review of Statements of Work for potential programs, ensuring scope, deliverables, and requirements are clearly defined.
• Support engineering and sales teams in estimating costs and resource needs for potential programs, contributing to accurate budgeting and planning.
• Confirm Bills of Materials and program schedules for assigned projects, ensuring all components and timelines are complete and accurate.
• Monitor vendor activity and performance in support of assigned programs, addressing issues and ensuring timely delivery of materials and services.
• Act as a liaison with engineering to verify accurate Bills of Materials and resource allocation for assigned programs.
• Monitor and enforce program schedules, proactively identifying risks and taking corrective actions to keep projects on track.
• Prepare and deliver clear, professional presentations for customer meetings related to assigned programs.
• Work closely with customers to understand requirements, provide updates, and maintain strong, collaborative relationships throughout the program lifecycle.
• Follow programs through the manufacturing process, ensuring alignment between program requirements and production activities.
• Adapt to changing priorities and responsibilities, effectively managing multiple tasks and projects while maintaining high standards of quality.

Essential Skills

• Proven experience in program management or project management within a manufacturing or similar technical environment.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications, including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, for documentation, analysis, and presentations.
• Hands-on experience using Microsoft Project for project planning, scheduling, and tracking.
• Ability to develop, review, and interpret Statements of Work and Bills of Materials.
• Strong organizational and time management skills to monitor and enforce project schedules.
• Effective communication skills for collaborating with engineering, sales, vendors, and customers.
• Capability to prepare and deliver professional presentations for customer meetings.
• Experience working with or supporting manufacturing operations and processes.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Knowledge of QuickBooks is preferred and beneficial for supporting program-related financial tracking.
• Experience in the aerospace and defense industry is highly advantageous.
• Comfort working in a small to mid-size company environment with close collaboration across teams.
• Ability to manage multiple responsibilities and "wear many hats" in a dynamic setting.
• Strong customer-facing skills, including attending meetings and representing programs to external stakeholders.

Work Environment
The role is based in a manufacturing setting within a small to mid-size company, working closely with an engineering team of approximately eight employees. The standard work schedule is Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The dress code is business casual. Employees have paid holidays and one week of paid time off, and benefit from an environment characterized by very low attrition, where departures typically occur only due to relocation or retirement. The company operates in the aerospace and defense industry with an exciting growth forecast, offering opportunities to collaborate directly with customers, attend meetings, and follow products through the full manufacturing process.
Job Type & Location
This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Carmel, NY.
Pay and Benefits
The pay range for this position is $38.46 - $62.50/hr.
Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following:
• Medical, dental & vision
• Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital
• 401(k) Retirement Plan - Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available
• Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents)
• Short and long-term disability
• Health Spending Account (HSA)
• Transportation benefits
• Employee Assistance Program
• Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)
Workplace Type
This is a fully onsite position in Carmel,NY.
Application Deadline
This position is anticipated to close on Aug 8, 2026.
About Aston Carter
Aston Carter provides world-class corporate talent solutions to thousands of clients across the globe. Specialized in accounting, finance, human resources, talent acquisition, procurement, supply chain and select administrative professions, we extend the capabilities of industry-leading companies. We draw on our deep recruiting expertise and expansive network to meet the evolving needs of our clients and talent community with agility and excellence. With offices across the U.S., Canada, Asia Pacific and Europe, Aston Carter serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® Platinum Award winner for both client and talent service.
The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.
If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email astoncarteraccommodation@astoncarter.com for other accommodation options.
San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.
Massachusetts Lie Detector: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.
Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI): We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.