Defense Vehicle Program Manager

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Lead and mentor a high-performing program management team, driving key processes and ensuring on-time delivery as we bring Ford's world-class commercial solutions to tactical defense applications. We are seeking a program leader with proven defense sector or defense/military ground vehicle program experience to serve as a key advisor to the Chief Program Engineer (CPE), navigating the complexities of global product development within a highly regulated defense environment.

This critical role is essential to the success of our product development lifecycle as we bring Ford's world-class commercial solutions to tactical defense applications. As Program Manager, you will lead and develop a team, manage resources effectively, and ensure the seamless execution of complex, global defense and defense-adjacent ground vehicle programs. Working directly with the Chief Program Engineer (CPE), you will provide strategic guidance and support while driving cross-functional collaboration and influencing key decisions as we build out this incubating business.

Given the unique regulatory, contractual, and technical demands of defense programs, candidates should bring direct experience with DoD acquisition, government contracting, and/or defense/military ground vehicle development. This requires a high degree of collaboration, strong decision-making skills, and the ability to thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic environment shaped by government and defense industry requirements.

• Program Execution, Governance & Process Excellence: Lead end-to-end execution of the program from capture through delivery and sustainment using established gated processes. Own program imperatives (scope, schedule, cost, resources, risk, quality) and establish standard operating mechanisms (integrated master schedule, risk register, financial reviews, issue dashboards). Champion and continuously improve program processes, ensuring adherence to gated program cadences and governance reviews consistent with defense industry standards.
  
  Lead program decision forums with the CPE, clear scope, schedule, cost decisions and accountability for closure. Drive launch and quality disciplines to ensure on-time, on-cost delivery.
• Risk & Issue Management: Partner with the CPE to identify, quantify, and mitigate program risks and issues — technical and business alike — developing contingency plans and gap-closure actions with clear owners and dates. Integrate supporting functional processes (engineering release, sourcing, validation, manufacturing readiness, quality, sustainment) into a coherent plan that reflects defense program requirements and constraints.
• Customer & Stakeholder Interface: Serve alongside the CPE as a primary interface to government and defense industry partners, leading day-to-day interactions and formal program reviews with military/DoD stakeholders. Represent the program in business development and capture activities, including shaping requirements, proposal content, cost estimates, and execution plans in coordination with the CPE.
• Culture & Compliance: Foster, jointly with the CPE, a culture of safety, defense-specific compliance (including CUI/ITAR/export control), integrity, and continuous improvement, while balancing government/customer priorities with Ford's broader business objectives in a changing mission and technology environment.
• Team Leadership & Management: Directly lead, mentor, and develop program management staff, while jointly partnering with the cross-functional teams (engineering, manufacturing, quality, supply chain, contracts, finance, and business development) to ensure seamless program execution and alignment across defense-oriented programs.

• Bachelor's degree required (Engineering, Business Administration, or related technical/business field preferred).
• Demonstrated experience in the defense sector and/or defense ground vehicle programs — this may include military/tactical vehicle development, DoD acquisition programs, defense contracting, or comparable government/defense platform experience.
• Demonstrated program or project management leadership of complex,…