Program Manager Jobs in Rockford, IL (NOW HIRING)

At Quest Global, it’s not just what we do but how and why we do it that makes us different. With over 25 years as an engineering services provider, we believe in the power of doing things differently to make the impossible possible. Our people are driven by the desire to make the world a better place—to make a positive difference that contributes to a brighter future. We bring together technologies and industries, alongside the contributions of diverse individuals who are empowered by an intentional workplace culture, to solve problems better and faster.

Leads the planning, sourcing, quoting, and technical coordination of electronic and electromechanical components and assemblies used in commercial and military products. Owns the full lifecycle of supplier engagement, cost management, and cross-functional execution to ensure compliant, on-time, and cost-effective delivery of engineered materials and FAA Repairs

Key Responsibilities

• Business Development: Identify and capture new opportunities within the commercial and military sectors.
• Relationship Management: Act as the "face of the company" for Tier 1 OEMs and military procurement officers.
• Market Analysis: Monitor industry trends in avionics and electromechanical systems to anticipate customer needs.
• Pricing Strategy: Develop competitive pricing models by calculating labor, material costs, and overhead while maintaining target margins.
• Risk Assessment: Evaluate lead times and technical feasibility, especially for obsolete or "hard-to-find" electronic components.
• Program ownership — Manage schedules, deliverables, risks, and budgets for assigned hardware programs involving electronic and electromechanical parts and assemblies.
• Planning & forecasting — Develop material plans, long-lead strategies, and procurement roadmaps aligned with engineering, production, and customer requirements.
• Sourcing & supplier management — Identify, evaluate, and qualify suppliers capable of meeting commercial and military standards; drive competitive quoting, cost negotiations, and contract alignment.
• Technical coordination — Analyze RFQs (Request for Quotes). Work as an engineer with the team to create and interpret drawings, specifications, BOMs, and change notices; ensure suppliers understand technical requirements and manufacturability constraints.
• Quoting & cost analysis — Prepare RFQs, analyze supplier proposals, perform cost breakdowns, and recommend sourcing decisions based on price, lead time, capability, and compliance.
• Compliance oversight — Ensure materials and suppliers meet applicable regulatory and customer requirements, including ITAR, DFARS, MIL-STD, RoHS, FAA, AS9100 and quality system standards.
• Issue resolution — Lead root-cause investigations for supplier issues, delivery risks, or engineering changes; drive corrective actions and maintain program continuity.
• Cross-functional leadership — Coordinate with engineering, quality, supply chain, contracts, and manufacturing to maintain alignment and resolve obstacles throughout the program lifecycle.
• Documentation & reporting — Maintain program dashboards, procurement status, risk logs, and configuration control documentation; provide updates to leadership and customers.
• Continuous improvement — Identify opportunities to streamline sourcing workflows, reduce cost, improve supplier performance, and strengthen technical collaboration.
   

We are known for our extraordinary people who make the impossible possible every day. Questians are driven by hunger, humility, and aspiration. We believe that our company culture is the key to our ability to make a true difference in every industry we reach. Our teams regularly invest time and dedicated effort into internal culture work, ensuring that all voices are heard.

We wholeheartedly believe in the diversity of thought that comes with fostering a culture rooted in respect, where everyone belongs, is valued, and feels inspired to share their ideas. We know embracing our unique differences makes us better, and that solving the worlds hardest engineering problems requires diverse ideas, perspectives, and backgrounds. We shine the brightest when we tap into the many dimensions that thrive across over 21,000 difference-makers in our workplace.

Experience managing programs involving electronic components, PCBs, harnesses, electromechanical assemblies, or precision mechanical parts.

· Strong understanding of manufacturing processes, engineering drawings, and technical specifications.

· Background in procurement, supply chain, or engineering within commercial, aerospace, or defense environments.

· Familiarity with military standards, export controls, and quality requirements.

· Ability to lead cross-functional teams, manage multiple priorities, and communicate clearly with technical and non-technical stakeholders.

· Proficiency with ERP/MRP systems, BOM management, and project management tools.

· Strong analytical, negotiation, and problem-solving skills.

Soft Skills

· The "Negotiator" Mindset: Able to pivot between selling a value proposition to a client and negotiating better terms with a supplier.

· Acute Attention to Detail: In aviation, a single wrong digit in a part number or a missing certification can ground a project.

· Pressure Management: Comfortable hitting month-end sales targets while managing supply chain bottlenecks.

Location: Machesney Park, IL

Pay: $80K - $100K

US Citizenship Required