Program Manager

Job Title: Program Manager

Job Description

The Program Manager leads complex, loosely defined technical initiatives and drives them through structured execution to successful delivery. This role defines scope where it does not yet exist, aligns cross-functional stakeholders, and ensures that programs are delivered on time, within budget, and at defined performance targets. You will guide multi-disciplinary teams across engineering, operations, and manufacturing while serving as a key interface with supply chain, sales, marketing, and finance to translate strategic goals into executable program plans.

Responsibilities

• Take loosely defined or ambiguous initiatives and convert them into structured, executable program plans.
• Define program scope where it does not exist and align cross-functional stakeholders around clear objectives, timelines, and success criteria.
• Lead complex, multi-disciplinary activities, including project scoping, requirements planning, KPI development, schedule creation, and execution management.
• Develop and manage detailed project schedules, track progress against key milestones, and drive end-to-end program delivery.
• Identify, assess, and mitigate program risks, proactively resolving issues and removing roadblocks to keep initiatives on track.
• Drive alignment across process engineering, operations, capacitor engineering, tooling design, and capital upgrade development teams.
• Serve as a crucial interface with supply chain, sales, marketing, and finance to ensure programs support broader business and customer objectives.
• Translate product, process, and business goals into clear program roadmaps and actionable workstreams.
• Plan, coordinate, and execute development and production trials, ensuring smooth transition from development to production according to defined cost, quality, and capacity goals.
• Organize and lead cross-functional program reviews, providing clear communication on status, risks, and next steps to stakeholders.
• Own and manage project costs, product costs, and CAPEX budgets, ensuring financial objectives are met.
• Communicate clearly and consistently with cross-functional partners, providing visibility into progress, issues, and decisions.
• Force clarity where needed by resolving conflicts, aligning priorities, and ensuring teams understand expectations and deliverables.

Essential Skills

• BS degree in engineering or a closely related technical discipline.
• 3 years of experience in technical program management or engineering, leading multi-disciplinary teams through program scoping, scheduling, and execution.
• Proven ability to lead programs starting from loosely defined problem statements and drive them to successful completion.
• Strong program and project management skills, including scope definition, requirements planning, scheduling, and risk management.
• Demonstrated experience creating and managing project schedules and tracking progress against milestones.
• Ability to develop and use key performance indicators (KPIs) to measure program success.
• Experience working with cross-functional teams in engineering, operations, and business functions.
• Strong communication skills with the ability to clearly convey complex information to diverse stakeholders.
• Ability to manage budgets, including project costs, product costs, and capital expenditure (CAPEX).

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• 5 years of Technical Program Management experience.
• Experience in capacitor development.
• Experience in polymer processing and/or film extrusion.
• Experience leading programs in a manufacturing or advanced materials environment.

Work Environment

You will work in a clean manufacturing environment with an attached small office space, supporting both hands-on production activities and office-based program management work. The organization focuses on advanced materials and polymer processing technologies used in customized optical products. The company operates in a high-innovation setting with strong investment in technology and long-term projects, including significant work supporting defense-related applications. The culture emphasizes collaboration, a fun and supportive atmosphere, and a team that actively helps one another. You can expect to interact regularly with engineering, operations, and business teams on-site, with access to modern manufacturing and development equipment aligned with advanced polymer processing and optical manufacturing.

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Cleveland, OH.

The pay range for this position is $53.00 - $67.00/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)

This is a fully onsite position in Cleveland,OH.

This position is anticipated to close on May 15, 2026.

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

At Actalent, diversity and inclusion are a bridge towards the equity and success of our people. DE&I is embedded into our culture through:

• Hiring diverse talent
• Maintaining an inclusive environment through persistent self-reflection
• Building a culture of care, engagement, and recognition with clear outcomes
• Ensuring growth opportunities for our people

Actalent is an equal opportunity employer.

About Actalent

Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services. For more than 40 years, we’ve helped visionary companies advance their goals. Headquartered in the United States, our teams span 150 offices across North America, EMEA, and APAC—with four delivery centers in India led by 1,000 extraordinary employees who connect their passion with purpose every day.

Our Bangalore, Hyderabad, Pune, and Chennai delivery centers are hubs of engineering expertise, with core capabilities in mechanical and electrical engineering, systems and software, and manufacturing engineering. Our teams deliver work across multiple industries including transportation, consumer and industrial products, and life sciences. We serve more than 4,500 clients, including many Fortune 500 brands. Learn more about how we can work together at actalentservices.com.

Salary : $53 - $67