Operational Project Manager

KDA, Inc, headquartered in Alexandria, Virginia, has been operating in the United States for more than 20 years. We produce world-leading Remote Weapon Systems (RWS) for the US Army, Marine Corps, and allies at our Johnstown, Pennsylvania factory. We have delivered more than 20,000 PROTECTOR RWS to 28 countries. The National Advanced Surface-to-Air System (NASAMS) is a highly mobile and tailorable capability that protects the airspace of 13 countries and Washington, DC. In 2027, we will do final assembly, test, and sustainment of the Naval Strike Missile and Joint Strike Missile systems at a new factory in southern Virginia.

Join us, and you’ll be part of a high performing team that develops advanced technology solutions to protect people and critical infrastructure in countries around the world. Explore your potential and discover what your future could be with Kongsberg Defense & Aerospace, Inc.

Are you a master of coordination, a champion of process improvement, and a natural leader in fast-paced production environments? We’re looking for an Operational Project Manager to serve as the strategic anchor for production-related projects within our Johnstown production facility.

In this pivotal role, you’ll collaborate closely with Project Managers across delivery programs to ensure seamless execution of production and delivery activities. From optimizing workflows to managing resources and mitigating risks, you’ll be at the heart of driving operational success—on time and within budget.

If you thrive on bringing structure to complexity and turning plans into results, this is your opportunity to make a lasting impact.

PRIMARY ROLES:

• Project Coordination & Support
  • Act as the primary liaison between operations, supply chain and project managers for all production related activities
  • Have an understanding of the overall determined budget and provide status updates between operations project management and finance for assigned operational projects.
  • Plan and oversee execution of all delivery orders including new builds, conversions, repairs, TSRs, and spares.
  • Maintain clear communication and collaboration across project teams and sub-project managers.
• • Assist with coordination of project deliveries, including Packing & Shipping.

• Operational Planning & Execution
  • Develop and maintain project schedules in order to stay within targeted budgets for assigned operational projects.
  • Monitor progress of production and delivery activities, ensuring alignment with program requirements.
  Ensure operational changes are incorporated into production plans and communicated to relevant teams.
  
• Resource & Risk Management
  • Define and maintain the project organization in collaboration with line management.
  • Hold collaboration meetings with operational management and other product OPMs to track resource planning to avoid bottlenecks in manpower or material.
  Assist the PM with the Risk and Opportunity Management process, this includes contributing to the overall project risk assessment as well as assisting with the operations project risk register.
  
• Compliance & Quality
  • Ensure proper handling of export-controlled information and materials (ITAR, EAR).
  • Oversee warranty management for conversions, repairs, systems and spares.
  • Ensure technical data packages are maintained in collaboration with the project managers as appropriate.
  Initiate engineering support when needed.
  
• Reporting & Continuous Improvement
  • Provide periodic status reports to the project manager and other stakeholders through meetings like production-, sustainment- and depot IPT.
  • Contribute to lessons learned and knowledge transfer through project evaluations and final reports.

EDUCATIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Bachelor’s degree in business, Manufacturing Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Mechanical Engineering or a related field required or equivalent experience.
• PMP preferred.

NUMBER OF YEARS AND TYPE OF EXPERIENCE REQUIRED:

• 3 – 5 years operational / manufacturing experience.

MINIMUM LEARNING TIME FOR THIS POSITION PROVIDED EMPLOYEE HAS NECESSARY EXPERIENCE:

• 3 months ( )

WORK ENVIRONMENT AND PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT:

• Manufacturing, production floor and office setting; regular travel.
• General office equipment
• Microsoft Windows
• Microsoft Office tools (High ability in MC Excel)
• Microsoft Project
• ERP

OTHER POSITION CONSIDERATIONS:

• Must have or be able to obtain a US Passport.
• Ability to travel, both internationally and domestically, as needed for purposes of installation, verification and demonstration of products.
• After initial onboarding and training, travel will be approximately 10% of the time.
• Must be able to work as part of a team; positive “can-do” attitude.
• Flexible in ability to change priorities in order to accomplish changing team/corporate deadlines and goals.

U.S. PERSON REQUIREMENT: “To comply with U.S. national security requirements mandated under the U.S. International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), Kongsberg Defense & Aerospace, Inc. will consider only applicants who are U.S. Persons for this position.” OR “Applicant must be a U.S. Person within the meaning of United States International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) governing export control.” “A U.S. Person is a United States Citizen or National, Lawful Permanent Resident, Lawful Temporary Resident, Refugee or Asylee.”

Kongsberg Defense & Aerospace, Inc. is part of Kongsberg Gruppen (KONGSBERG), an international knowledge-based group that supplies high technology systems and solutions to its customers engaged in oil and gas production, the merchant marine, and the defense and aerospace industries. Kongsberg Defense & Aerospace, Inc. performs final assembly and testing of Remote Weapon Stations. The company also performs repair and overhaul (R&O) of Remote Weapon Stations that come back from field operations. In addition to competitive wages, we provide an excellent package of benefits, which presently includes company-paid health, vision and dental insurance, 401(k) with competitive match, a 9/80 work schedule, life insurance, employee stock purchase option, sick time and paid time off (PTO).

Kongsberg Defense & Aerospace, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability or veteran status, or any other applicable state or federal protected class. Kongsberg Defense & Aerospace, Inc. provides affirmative action in employment for qualified Individuals with a Disability and Protected Veterans in compliance with Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act and the Vietnam Era Veterans’ Readjustment Assistance Act.

Job Type:

• Full-time

Benefits:

• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Flexible schedule
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Sick time off
• Tuition reimbursement
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• Day shift
• Monday to Friday
• 9/80

Anticipated training period:

• 3 months ( )

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree or higher

Work Location:

• Johnstown, PA