Description
JOB DESCRIPTION:
The Project Coordinator supports hard and soft armor development by coordinating project schedules, test builds, material readiness, ballistic data, independent testing, and technical documentation. This role improves project visibility, follow-up, data accuracy, and cross-functional communication to help R&D projects move efficiently from concept and prototype development through testing, validation, and production readiness.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Coordinate R&D ballistic projects for hard and soft armor, including build planning, prototype development, testing, project tracking, follow-up, and status reporting.
- Maintain project trackers, timelines, action items, test matrices, build records, and leadership updates to ensure clear visibility of priorities, risks, and next steps.
- Update ballistic calculators and data trackers with test results, material changes, weights, areal densities, thicknesses, construction details, and key ballistic performance metrics.
- Ensure R&D test data is entered accurately, consistently, and promptly so results can be reviewed and used to guide future development decisions.
- Coordinate with Production, Engineering, Quality, Inventory Control, Purchasing, Costing, Cutting, Sewing, Hard Armor, Soft Armor, and external test labs to keep projects moving.
- Support build readiness by confirming required materials, fabrics, ceramics, adhesives, work instructions, press recipes, labels, and other components are available before scheduled builds.
- Assist with coordinating hard armor pressing needs and soft armor prototype builds while balancing R&D priorities with production capacity.
- Track R&D material usage, shortages, substitutions, special-order needs, and lot information to reduce delays and improve project traceability.
- Coordinate independent ballistic testing, including scheduling, sample preparation, shipping, documentation, lab communication, report tracking, and retesting follow-up.
- Research, organize, and summarize applicable NIJ, ASTM, military, customer-specific, and international ballistic testing standards and documentation requirements.
POSITION QUALIFICATIONS/ FUNCTIONAL SKILLS/ COMPETENCIES:
- 2+ years of experience in project coordination, manufacturing support, production planning, quality, engineering support, product development, or R&D support preferred.
- Experience with armor, ballistic textiles, composite materials, ceramics, body armor, shields, helmets, or defense-related manufacturing preferred.
- Proficient with Excel, ERP systems, project trackers, formulas, calculators, and technical spreadsheets.
- Familiarity with NIJ, ASTM, military specifications, law enforcement requirements, technical documentation, or test standards preferred.
- Strong organizational skills, follow-up, communication, attention to detail, and ability to manage multiple priorities.
- Ability to identify risks, summarize technical information, support cross-functional teams, and maintain confidentiality.
EDUCATION / EXPERIENCE:
- Computer Experience
- Must be at least 18 years or older
- Must have a minimum of 2 years of relevant experience
- Preferably bachelor's degree, or a relevant technical field. Or High school diploma or GED.
- Previous experience in a manufacturing operations environment preferred.
JOB FACTORS/WORK ENVIRONMENT:
Work involves physical demands typically found in a manufacturing environment, such as but not limited to prolonged standing, sitting, bending, walking, computer usage for extended periods of time, lifting and/or moving material.
This job description is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties or responsibilities associated with the job. Other job-related duties may be assigned.
An Affirmative Action Equal Opportunity Employer • Drug-Free Working Environment