Program Manager - Defense

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The Day-to-Day:

Wolfspeed is seeking a results-driven Program Manager to own and accelerate program delivery through Wolfspeed's defense contractor partners. Working alongside an existing team that manages U.S. government program office relationships, this role is squarely focused on driving performance, accountability, and outcomes with prime defense contractors. The ideal candidate has worked inside a defense contractor, understands how these organizations operate, and knows how to cut through complexity to get things done.

Key Responsibilities Contractor Performance & Accountability Serve as Wolfspeed's primary point of contact with defense prime and sub-tier contractor program teams

Hold contractors accountable to committed schedules, technical deliverables, and quality standards

Proactively identify and escalate risks, delays, or gaps in contractor performance before they impact program outcomes

Drive resolution of technical, contractual, and schedule issues across contractor organizations

Program Execution Manage program execution end-to-end — from contract award through delivery and acceptance — with a relentless focus on results

Maintain Integrated Master Schedules (IMS) and track milestones across multiple concurrent contractor-driven programs

Lead regular program reviews, status calls, and action item tracking with contractor teams

Coordinate with Wolfspeed's engineering, operations, and supply chain functions to ensure internal readiness supports contractor demand

Relationship Management Build deep, trusted working relationships with defense contractor program managers, engineering leads, and procurement teams

Leverage knowledge of how prime contractors operate internally to navigate their processes efficiently and advocate for Wolfspeed's priorities

Represent Wolfspeed professionally and credibly in environments where the other side of the table is a large, experienced defense organization

Business Development Support Identify expansion opportunities within existing contractor relationships and feed them to business development

Support proposal and pricing efforts for follow-on programs with current defense contractor customers

Required Qualifications Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Business, or a related technical field7+ years of program management experience, with at least 5 years inside a defense contractor (prime or significant sub-tier)
Deep understanding of how defense prime contractors operate — their internal processes, incentives, culture, and decision-making structures

Demonstrated track record of driving results and holding teams/partners accountable in a contractor environment

Strong negotiation, communication, and influencing skills — comfortable pushing back on large organizations professionally and effectively

Experience managing Integrated Master Schedules and multi-milestone program plans

Active U.S. Secret Security Clearance (or ability to obtain)

Preferred Qualifications Prior employment at a…