Program Manager I (Team Lead)

Edmund Optics, an industry leader in the design, manufacturing, and sale of precision optics and optical components for over 80 years is hiring! As a global, family-owned company, employees are key to our success. Our culture is at the heart of everything we do, and the company’s Core Values demonstrate our commitment to act as one family, do what is best for the customer, drive innovation through continuous improvement, and to be proud of what we do. As we work to continue to be technological leaders in the industry, we seek those who are prepared to learn, engage, grow, and enable the future through optics.

Brief Summary:

The Program Manager, Level I is responsible for managing defined programs that comprise multiple related projects aligned with Edmund Optics’ strategic objectives. The Program Manager I focuses on maximizing organizational value and benefits through coordination, alignment, and integration across projects, stakeholders, and functions. The Program Manager I ensures that assigned programs deliver cumulative benefits that support EO’s business goals and technological growth. They will oversee project interdependencies, coordinate resources, manage benefit realization, and ensure alignment between execution and strategic direction.

Essential Functions:

• Provide support to project managers as required.
• Acts as a customer point of contact for major programs related to assigned key customers.
• Interface with key customers and outside sales on prospective projects.
• Facilitate effective communication among cross-functional teams, executive stakeholders, and customers, ensuring transparency and strategic alignment.
• Interfaces with key customers for spec development, in conjunction with Engineering.
• Assess and develop/assist with critical project feasibilities, project plans and compliance matrices.
• Adapt program scope, structure, and priorities to respond to evolving organizational strategy, customer needs, and technological opportunities.
• Assist project managers in the development and management of risk and opportunity assessments and support the development of risk mitigation plans and opportunity capture plans.
• Lead project meetings and present project schedule and status to customers and management.
• Collaborate with Engineering to establish test requirements and resources.
• Comply with federal, state, and company policies, procedures, and regulations.
• Identify gaps on Program/Project management tools and establish plans of action that will eliminate those gaps.
• Strategic alignment of Project Manager tools that help manage complex customer projects and programs.
• Foster collaboration across global facilities, ensuring consistency and best practices across participating projects.
• Lead Monthly Management Review (MMR) with Project Managers and other stakeholders Stakeholder communication.
• Promote a culture of learning, continuous improvement, and proactive change management withing the program environment.
• Manage Project Analyst and a small team of Project Managers, as required.

Qualifications:

To perform this position successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential function satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill and/or ability required. Reasonable Accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions

Required Skills & Abilities:

• Must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident (green card holder).
• Strong understanding of program management principles including benefit realization, portfolio alignment, and integrated risk management.
• Demonstrated ability to support preparation of contracts and agreements and lead proposals for complex engineering programs
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple, interrelated projects with diverse stakeholders and deliverables.
• Working knowledge of systems engineering and cross-functional collaboration within complex technical environments.
• Skilled in stakeholder engagement, communication, and negotiation at multiple organizational levels.
• Proven ability to adapt to shifting strategic objectives and dynamic program environments.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Word, Project) and familiar with ERP, mechanical, optical, or systems design tools.
• Capable of analytical thinking and balancing efficiency (project perspective) with strategic value delivery (program perspective).
• Strong teamwork orientation with the ability to work collaboratively across global sites.

Education/Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, STEM field or related technical field; advanced degree preferred but not required.
• Minimum 12 years of program management experience including experience leading cross-functional technical teams.
• Previous management experience supervising technical staff or project/program managers preferred.
• Experience in optical engineering or related engineering fields is beneficial but not required.

Physical Requirements:

Ability to sit or stand for long periods of time; ability to travel; work in office setting.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $140,000.00 - $155,000.00 per year

Benefits:

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

Ability to Commute:

• Tucson, AZ 85756 (Required)

Ability to Relocate:

• Tucson, AZ 85756: Relocate before starting work (Required)

Work Location: In person