Program Manager

$70000 - $85000 per year | Gray, TN | On-site | Permanent

Are you a Manufacturing Engineer, Process Engineer, or technical Program Manager looking to take the next step in your career?

We are partnering with a growing electronics manufacturing organization in Northeast Tennessee seeking a Program Manager – Manufacturing Engineering & Operations to play a key role in customer program execution, manufacturing excellence, and operational improvement.

This is a unique opportunity to combine technical manufacturing expertise with customer‑facing program management and cross‑functional leadership.

You'll work closely with engineering, operations, supply chain, quality, and executive leadership to successfully launch new products, improve manufacturing processes, and help build scalable systems for future growth.

The opportunity also offers a potential career path into Director of Program Management or Director of Operations leadership.

• Career Growth:
  Potential advancement into Director-level Program Management or Operations leadership.
• High-Impact Role:
  Help shape manufacturing processes, operational efficiency, and program execution.
• Cross-Functional Exposure:
  Work closely with engineering, operations, customers, and senior leadership.
• Technical + Leadership:
  Stay connected to manufacturing while expanding your program management and business leadership experience.
• Growth Environment:
  Join an organization focused on continuous improvement, operational excellence, and long‑term expansion.

• Lead customer programs from initial planning and New Product Introduction (NPI) through production launch and ongoing delivery.
• Serve as a key point of contact between customers, engineering, manufacturing, supply chain, and operations.
• Develop and manage project schedules, milestones, deliverables, resources, and program risks.
• Coordinate NPI activities, including manufacturing readiness, documentation, BOMs, and production requirements.
• Drive manufacturing process improvements focused on efficiency, quality, cost reduction, and throughput.
• Support Lean Manufacturing and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Collaborate with engineering teams on Design for Manufacturability (DFM), process validation, and production readiness.
• Identify production challenges, supply chain constraints, and operational risks while developing solutions.
• Support capacity planning, resource utilization, and manufacturing workflow improvements.
• Monitor program performance, customer satisfaction, quality, costs, and on‑time delivery.
• Help develop standardized processes and scalable systems to support continued organizational growth.

• Bachelor's degree in Manufacturing, Industrial, Mechanical, Electrical Engineering, or a related technical discipline.
• 3+ years of experience in Manufacturing Engineering, Process Engineering, Operations Management, or a related role.
• Experience in electronics manufacturing, EMS, PCB assembly, aerospace, defense, medical devices, or similar manufacturing environments.
• Experience supporting New Product Introduction (NPI) and production launches.
• Strong understanding of manufacturing processes, production workflows, and operational improvements.
• Knowledge of Lean Manufacturing, continuous improvement, and problem‑solving methodologies.
• Ability to collaborate across engineering, production, quality, supply chain, and customer teams.
• Strong communication, organization, and problem‑solving skills.
• Experience with ERP/MRP systems and interpreting technical manufacturing documentation.

• Electronics Manufacturing Services (EMS) experience.
• Knowledge of SMT, PCB assembly, box build, system…