Planning Manager

Karman Space & Defense is a leader in the rapid design, development, and production of critical, next-generation system solutions that align with the U.S. Department of War and its allies’ core mission priorities, and meet the accelerating demand for access to space. Building on nearly 50 years of success, we deliver Payload & Protection Systems, Aero/Hydrodynamic Interstage Systems, and Propulsion & Launch Systems to more than 80 prime contractors supporting over 130 space and defense programs.

This role is part of our Maritime Defense Systems business, which delivers integrated solutions with decades of proven performance across submarine, surface, and autonomous naval platforms supporting high-priority national defense programs. Our bow-to-stern capabilities include acoustic and sonar protection systems, propulsion systems, advanced composite structures, missile subsystems, canisters and launchers, and autonomous underwater vehicle subsystems. From concept through production, we combine engineering, materials expertise, specialized manufacturing, and large-scale testing to deliver mission-ready systems that reduce technical risk and support long-term operational performance.

As the Planning Manager, you will lead the planning organization and build the framework that enables accurate scheduling, capacity planning, and production execution across complex advanced‑composite manufacturing programs. You will ensure plans are executable, resource‑loaded, and driven by real-time engineering, material, labor, cost, and production data. Working closely with operations, engineering, program management, supply chain, and other functions, you will develop integrated schedules, identify risks early, and drive solutions that keep commitments on track.

Schedule

• The work schedule follows a 4×10 configuration: Monday through Thursday, 6:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., with every other Friday off.
  
  

Responsibilities

• Leads the planning function, including program scheduling, production planning, materials planning, and capacity planning.
• Manages staffing, priorities, performance, and development of Planners and Program Schedulers.
• Establishes standardized planning processes, tools, templates, and data expectations that support operational decision‑making.
• Owns the integrated planning and scheduling process using Microsoft Project and Project Server, ensuring alignment across engineering, procurement, manufacturing, inspection, and delivery.
• Maintains integrated schedules with clear logic, baselines, resource loading, progress updates, critical-path visibility, and change control.
• Develops executable manufacturing plans for advanced composite processes, incorporating materials, tooling, specialized equipment, cure cycles, inspection, and customer requirements.
• Identifies bottlenecks and develops staffing, shift, overtime, equipment‑utilization, and recovery strategies to protect delivery commitments.
• Leads production, capacity, and resource planning across functions, including labor forecasting, equipment loading, and scenario development.
• Integrates ERP, product data management (PDM), bills of material (BOMs), routings, material status, and shop‑floor data with enterprise scheduling tools to maintain a single source of truth.
• Communicates schedule, capacity, material, equipment, and manpower risks with clear data and actionable recommendations, supporting both internal and customer reviews.
  
  

Required Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Project and resource‑loaded scheduling.
• Experience leading planning, scheduling, production planning, project controls, or related functions in a manufacturing environment.
• Knowledge of integrated master scheduling, critical path, dependencies, baselines, resource loading, capacity planning, and forecasting.
• Experience coordinating across program management, engineering, manufacturing, operations, and supply chain.
• Ability to interpret ERP labor, cost, material, work‑order, and production data.
• Strong analytical, organizational, problem‑solving, and communication skills.
  
  

Preferred Qualifications

• Associate’s or bachelor’s degree in operations, supply chain, business, engineering, manufacturing, project management, or a related field.
• CPIM or similar professional certification.
• 6 or more years of complex or engineered‑to‑order manufacturing experience.
• 3 or more years of ERP experience, preferably Deltek Costpoint.
• Experience with Microsoft Project Server, enterprise scheduling systems, and PDM/MRP platforms.
• Aerospace, defense, shipbuilding, submarine, or advanced composites experience.
• Experience with autoclaves, automated fiber placement (AFP), large‑scale tooling, CNC/5‑axis machining, nondestructive inspection (NDI), and other specialized manufacturing resources.
• Experience with finite‑capacity planning, full‑time equivalent (FTE) forecasting, resource‑constrained scheduling, earned value management (EVM), or cost/schedule performance tracking.
• Advanced skills in Microsoft Excel and/or Power BI.
  
  

This position requires U.S. person status under U.S. export control laws, including U.S. citizens and nationals, lawful permanent residents, refugees, and asylees.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• 401(k) with company match
• Paid time off
• Health Savings Account (HSA) with company contribution
• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA)
• Company‑paid life and AD&D insurance
• Short‑ and long‑term disability coverage
• Tuition reimbursement
  
  

Karman Space and Defense is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable law.