Weapon Engineering Jobs in Michigan (NOW HIRING)

Position Title: Product Manager II                                 Department: Product Development

Classification: Exempt                                                  Approved By: Human Resources

REPORTING RELATIONSHIP

Position Reports To: President of Product and Engineering

JOB SUMMARY

The Product Manager II serves as the strategic and technical leader responsible for driving the successful development, production, and lifecycle management of advanced optical and weapon defense products.

This role exists to align customer mission requirements, product innovation, and manufacturing excellence, ensuring that every system delivered meets the highest standards of performance, reliability, and compliance demanded by defense applications.

With a deep foundation in product management, engineering design, and process optimization, this position bridges the gap between technology development and operational execution. The purpose of the role is to translate complex defense needs into practical, manufacturable, and commercially viable solutions that strengthen the organization’s competitive advantage and support the success of defense and government programs.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Define and execute product roadmaps for Soldier borne, weapon borne, optical, and weapon defense systems aligned with corporate strategy, defense market requirements and opportunities and commercialization potential.
• Develop business cases, pricing strategies, and lifecycle management plans that maximize program value and profitability.
• Analyze customer requirements, competitive intelligence, and technology trends to guide R&D priorities.
• Partner with sales, government programs, and business development to capture new opportunities and support proposal efforts.
• Oversee product performance metrics, risk assessments, and compliance with ITAR and DoD requirements.
• Lead cross-functional teams through design, prototyping, testing, and validation of advanced optical and electro-mechanical systems.
• Translate complex technical and operational requirements into clear engineering specifications.
• Implement structured development processes (stage-gate or agile hybrid) ensuring traceability, technical rigor, and documentation compliance.
• Drive innovation in optical design, materials, coatings, and system integration for ruggedized defense applications.
• Collaborate with engineering and manufacturing to ensure design for manufacturability (DFM), reliability, and cost-effectiveness.
• Leverage 10+ years of process engineering experience to optimize production methods for precision optical and mechanical assemblies.
• Partner with operations to ensure scalable, repeatable manufacturing processes that meet defense quality standards (AS9100, ISO9001).
• Lead continuous improvement initiatives using Lean, Six Sigma, and root cause analysis methodologies.
• Support qualification, first article inspections (FAI), and production ramp-up for new defense programs.
• Drive process capability improvements and yield enhancements in optical fabrication, coating, and assembly processes.
• Other duties as required.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSBILITY

• None

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (as demonstrated through experience, training and/or testing)                  

• Strong leadership skills and the ability to interact with cross-functional teams
• Effective communicator with strong interpersonal skills
• Ability to work under minimal supervision
• Strategic product planning in defense, optics, electro-optics, IIT, and multi-spectral sensor markets.
• Market intelligence & defense customer engagement
• Proven success managing optical, electro-optical, or defense product portfolios from concept to production.
• Strong knowledge of defense acquisition processes, DFARS/ITAR compliance, and DoD customer requirements.
• Familiarity with optical design, thermal management, precision machining, and ruggedization for field conditions.
• Demonstrated ability to lead multidisciplinary teams across engineering, operations, and business units.

EDUCATION

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Optical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, or related technical discipline.
• Master’s degree is preferred.

EXPERIENCE

• 2 to 4+ years of total experience, including
  • 2 to 4+ years in Product Management/Product Development
  • 2 to 4+ years in Program Management
  • 2 to 4+ years in Manufacturing/Process Engineering
• Defense industry experience required.

BACKGROUND PREREQUISITIES

• Must undergo and meet company standards for background check, employment verification and reference checks.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Security clearance (Secret or higher) preferred or ability to obtain clearance.
• Certifications such as Lean Six Sigma, PMP, or NPDP are preferred.
• Proficient in PLM/ERP
• U.S. Citizenship is required.

WORKING CONDITIONS AND PHYSICAL DEMANDS

• With or without reasonable accommodation, requires the physical and mental capacity to perform effectively all essential functions. In addition to other demands.
• Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer
• Must be willing to travel 25% of the time.

• Ability to lift up to 25 pounds occasionally
• 9/80 work schedule
• Clean manufacturing/office setting  

NOTE: These statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work involved for this job. It is not an exhaustive list of all responsibilities; additional duties may be assigned.