Program and Strategy Manager

About Barber-Nichols

Barber-Nichols (BN) is a premier provider of custom turbo machinery solutions serving the Defense, Aerospace, Cryogenics, and Energy industries. Our team consists of industry leaders who collaborate closely with equally accomplished customers to deliver technologies that advance their markets and establish enduring partnerships. At BN, we foster a results‑driven environment that values professional growth, rewards achievement, and supports innovation. From designing the blower for NASA’s Dragonfly mission to Saturn’s moon Titan to engineering critical components for the U.S. Navy’s MK‑48 program, BN’s portfolio spans some of the most exciting and impactful projects in the world.

For those seeking to contribute to impactful projects alongside a highly skilled team, BN offers an exceptional place to build your career.

The Program & Strategy Manager is responsible for leading the largest and most critical programs in the Barber‑Nichols business across the product lifecycle. Leading the programs includes responsibilities for budget, scope, schedule, problem resolution, and customer satisfaction. The Program & Strategy Manager is also the primary customer interface responsible for managing the relationship. This position supports the Sales team by supporting early proposal shaping to balance bid competitiveness with maximum success.

The Program & Strategy Manager mentors other team members in the Program Management Office and advises the Director of Program Management on the strategic direction of the business.

• Lead complex, cross‑functional program teams.
• Support Sales in early proposal shaping to maximize program success.
• Use and improve project and program management tools, looking for opportunities to share expertise with other departments.
• Apply the appropriate project structures (agile/waterfall) within programs to achieve success.
• Articulate and manage programmatic risks.
• Track, forecast, and model schedule, scope, and budget for assigned programs.
• Formulate, plan, and execute recovery plans for major program variances to schedule, scope, and performance.
• Lead customer relationships, acting as the voice of the customer inside the organization and working collaboratively with customers to solve challenges.
• Hold firm positions for BN and customers during critical conversations.
• Identify and support interdepartmental corrective and preventative actions to drive improved performance.
• Raise opportunities for strategic initiatives and customer growth with key internal stakeholders.
• Foster a positive, constructive culture using BN’s core values.
• Complete other duties as assigned by the Director of Program Management or others as delegated.

• 10+ years of relevant experience, such as program management, project management, or leading projects in engineering or manufacturing.
• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant discipline, such as engineering, economics, or business.
• Excellent interpersonal skills to maintain strong relationships.
• Outstanding planning and problem‑solving skills.
• Exceptional communication, organizational, and multi‑tasking skills.
• Reliable attention to detail, especially under deadline pressure.
• Ability to travel up to 20% of working time.

• Experience managing programs or projects in a high compliance manufacturing environment, such as medical, aerospace, space, defense, or similar.
• Experience managing customer relationships.
• Experience in a rapid engineering development environment.
• Experience identifying and driving large‑scale improvements, such as Black Belt projects.
• Knowledge of government contracting requirements and regulations (FAR/DFARS/ITAR, etc.).
• Experience with program and project management systems and tools.
• Program Management Professional (PgMP) or Project Management Professional (PMP) certification.

The salary range for this role is $140,000 - $170,000 and is commensurate with the applicant’s experience. This range represents the anticipated minimum and maximum base for this position. The final compensation for this position will be set based on the…