Operations Program Manager

Company Overview

We are a world-class team of professionals who deliver next generation technology and products in robotic and autonomous platforms, ground, soldier, and maritime systems in 50+ locations world-wide. Much of our work contributes to innovative research in the fields of sensor science, signal processing, data fusion, artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML), and augmented reality (AR).

QinetiQ US’s dedicated experts in defense, aerospace, security, and related fields all work together to explore new ways of protecting the American Warfighter, Security Forces, and Allies. Being a part of QinetiQ US means being central to the safety and security of the world around us. Partnering with our customers, we help save lives; reduce risks to society; and maintain the global infrastructure on which we all depend.

Why Join QinetiQ US?

If you have the courage to take on a wide variety of complex challenges, then you will experience a unique working environment where innovative teams blend different perspectives, disciplines, and technologies to discover new ways of solving complex problems.  In our diverse and inclusive environment, you can be authentic, feel valued, be respected, and realize your full potential. QinetiQ US will support you with workplace flexibility, a commitment to the health and well-being of you and your family and provide opportunities to work with a purpose. We are committed to supporting your success in both your professional and personal lives.

Position Overview

QinetiQ US is hiring a Operations Program Manager to lead operational execution on the flagship production programs at our Franklin, Massachusetts site. The role sits at the center of a dedicated Integrated Product Team, working alongside the Program Manager and functional leads in engineering, supply chain, quality, and manufacturing.  You will own the connection between what the program has committed to and what the manufacturing/operations will build — the schedule, the material, the sequence, and the constraints. You will run the operating cadence that keeps those four things reconciled, and you will be the person leadership turns to for a read on whether the plan holds.  

Responsibilities

• Operational execution plan. Own the build plan against the Integrated Master Schedule — sequencing, resource loading, and manufacturing milestones — and maintain a live, defensible link between program commitments and floor execution.
• Material availability. Drive material to build-need dates with supply chain: procurement sequencing, long-lead management, shortage resolution, and reconciliation of the material plan and the schedule to a single data set.
• Engineering change absorption. Assess the operational impact of ECPs and ECOs on build sequence, tooling, material, and delivery; confirm incorporation in configuration and reflect the effect in the plan before it becomes a surprise.
• Critical path and risk. Identify the driving path, quantify variance, build mitigation plans with named owners and dates, and drive them to closure rather than to a status slide.
• Root cause and recovery. Lead corrective action on operational misses. Work with quality and engineering on nonconforming material disposition, hold time, and rework so they do not quietly consume schedule.
• Supplier delivery performance. Partner with supply chain to hold subcontractors to committed dates — recovery schedules, inchstone-level commitments, and evidence-based corrective action follow-through.
• Operating cadence and reporting. Build and run the production status rhythm and forward-looking constraint reviews. Analyze SQDCP performance (Safety, Quality, Delivery, Cost, People) and present clear, evidence-based status to program and executive leadership.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, Industrial Technology, Manufacturing, Supply Chain, Business Administration, or a related technical field.
• 8+ years in manufacturing operations, production planning, or operations program management, including direct ownership of build and delivery commitments — not solely coordination or advisory support.
• Experience on a DoD or federal production program, or in a comparably controlled low-rate, high-complexity hardware environment (aerospace, defense, medical device, or similar).
• Demonstrated ownership of a production schedule integrated to a master schedule, including critical path analysis, variance identification, and recovery planning.
• Experience managing production in an active change environment — configuration control, ECP/ECO incorporation, and effectivity management.
• Hands-on experience planning material in an MRP/ERP environment against build-need dates, including long-lead procurement.
• Experience with turnaround track record - A build, supplier, or work center that was off plan, and what you did about it — recovery plan, corrective action, and a result that held.
• Proficiency with MS Project or a comparable scheduling tool (Deltek Open Plan, Primavera); advanced Excel.
• Working knowledge of PLM and configuration management, and of engineering change processes in a controlled environment.
• Familiarity with quality systems in a regulated production setting — first article inspection, source inspection, nonconforming material, and corrective action.
• Ability to lead and influence across a matrixed team without direct authority, and to resolve conflict at the working level before it escalates.
• Excellent written and verbal communication with executive presence.
• Must be a U.S. Person as defined under ITAR and EAR. Work at this site is export-controlled.
• This is an on-site role in Franklin, Massachusetts.

Preferred Qualifications

• Formal program management certification (PMP or equivalent).
• Familiarity with Earned Value Management or program controls disciplines.
• Naval or Army hardware program experience, including production readiness review, first article and qualification testing, or rate readiness.
• Design for manufacturability, production transition, or design-to-cost experience.
• Experience standing up or maturing planning processes, standard work, or operating cadence at a growing or consolidating site.
• Lean or Six Sigma certification with applied results in a low-volume, high-mix environment.
• Experience with Costpoint or a comparable defense ERP.

Pay Transparency

The salary range for this role is $114,700 - $174,950 USD. The salary range provided is a good faith estimate representative of all experience levels. QinetiQ US considers several factors when extending an offer, including but not limited to, the role, function and associated responsibilities, a candidate’s work experience, location, education/training, and key skills.

Company EEO Statement

Accessibility/Accommodation:

If because of a medical condition or disability you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the employment process, please send an e-mail to [email protected] or call (540) 658-2720 Opt. 1 and let us know the nature of your request and contact information.

QinetiQ US is an Equal Opportunity employer. All Qualified Applicants will receive equal consideration for employment without regard to race, age, color, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or protected Veteran status.