Project Manager, Operations Manager, Program ​/ Project Manager

Job Title

Project Manager

The Project Manager leads the planning, execution, and delivery of hardware-centric programs within an aerospace and defense manufacturing environment. You will develop and own MS Project schedules, define scope and deliverables, manage dependencies and critical paths, and drive the team to meet commitments on time and within budget. Day-to-day, you will coordinate resources, track risks and issues, implement mitigations, and maintain clear communication with all stakeholders, ranging from floor technicians and engineers to executives and external customers.

• Lead task-level project management including scheduling, tasking, risk and action logs, supplier/customer coordination, and reporting.
• Manage projects as they scale into program management, helping the organization adopt and operate within standard frameworks and structured quality practices.
• Exercise initiative and make decisions while maintaining control of scope, risk, and change.
• Coordinate resources and track risks/issues, implementing mitigations.
• Maintain communication with stakeholders, ensuring transparency and momentum across the product lifecycle.

• Proven project management experience delivering complex, technical projects on time and within budget.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Project in building schedules, dependencies/critical paths, resource loading, task tracking, and reporting.
• Strong stakeholder communication skills, comfortable interfacing with shop floor personnel, executives, and external customers.
• Skills in risk, issue, and change management, with the ability to make proactive decisions.
• Documentation and reporting skills, including status updates, dashboards, action logs, and executive-ready summaries.
• Quality and compliance mindset with the ability to coordinate with technical/QA teams against defined requirements.
• Bachelors degree in engineering, business, or related; PMP is preferred.

• Experience in aerospace and/or military/defense project management.
• Familiarity with industry standards and program-style governance.
• Technical fluency in engineering/manufacturing environments; an engineering degree is helpful but not required.
• Customer-facing experience and travel flexibility as program demands.

The role involves working in both shop and office environments, with travel expected as program requirements evolve. Local talent to the Portland Metro region will be prioritized, as will those with aerospace and/or defense related project work. This is not an IT-related role, and IT focused PM's will not be considered.

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Newberg, OR.

The pay range for this position is $50.00 - $60.00/hr eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following:

• Medical, dental & vision
• Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital
• 401(k) Retirement Plan – Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available
• Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents)
• Short and long-term disability
• Health Spending Account (HSA)
• Transportation benefits
• Employee Assistance Program
• Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)
• Workplace Type:
  This is a fully onsite position in Newberg, OR.
• Final date to receive applications:
  This position is anticipated to close on Feb 22, 2026.

Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 30,000 consultants and more than 4,500 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing due to a disability, please email actalentaccom for other accommodation options.