Principal Program Manager – Auto & Industrial

This is a fully remote position, open to applicants in California.

📋 Description

• Manage multiple simultaneous and intricate production programs from opportunity identification and contract award through first article development, launch, and ongoing production.

• Create and oversee program plans that encompass scope, timelines, quality, and costs.

• Execute programs in accordance with the Xometry Product Development Process, aligned with APQP standards.

• Oversee program budgets and financials, including tooling, capital investments, and profit margins.

• Monitor launch and production metrics, focusing on timeline compliance, delivery, quality, customer experience, and financial performance.

• Act as the primary liaison for customer programs, and coordinate with engineering, quality, and procurement teams.

• Lead cross-functional teams involving Sales, Field Deployed Engineering, Quality, Supply Chain Planning, and the Partner Network.

• Hold manufacturing partners accountable for their commitments regarding capacity, schedules, quality, and program deliverables.

• Coordinate resources, assess capacity and dependencies, identify risks, escalate issues, and lead recovery and mitigation efforts.

• Communicate program progress through regular updates to customers and internal leadership reviews.

• Identify opportunities to grow programs within current accounts and present them to Sales and Account Management.

• Drive operational initiatives to enhance program efficiency, scalability, and repeatability.

• Establish and track KPIs to promote data-driven improvements.

• Implement Lean principles and pinpoint opportunities for automation and process enhancements.

• Develop standards, templates, and playbooks for program management.

• Enhance program execution tools and systems in collaboration with Product and Engineering teams.

• Mentor and guide program managers.

• Act as the escalation point for complex portfolio issues.

• Assist in onboarding new program managers and contribute to recruitment efforts.

• Report directly to the Director of Strategic Program Operations.

⛳️ Requirements

• A bachelor's degree in Engineering, Business, Operations, Supply Chain, or a related discipline.

• Over 12 years of experience in program or project management, specifically leading production programs within a manufacturing context.

• Manufacturing experience across processes such as CNC machining, injection molding, sheet metal, stamping, die casting, or extrusion.

• Proven track record of managing multiple concurrent, complex programs, typically valued at $5M or more, from contract award through launch and into sustained production.

• Familiarity with APQP and associated quality planning methodologies.

• Experience in managing program budgets, timelines, scope, and financial outcomes.

• Background in leading cross-functional teams and overseeing supplier or contract manufacturer performance.

• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and facilitation skills within technical and manufacturing environments.

• Excellent written and verbal communication abilities, including skills for executive-level presentations.

• Must be ITAR eligible as a U.S. person, such as a U.S. citizen or national, lawful permanent resident, or individual granted asylum or refugee status.

• Preferred: 5+ years of military service.

• Preferred: PMP certification.

• Preferred: Lean or Six Sigma certification.

• Preferred: Experience in automotive, aerospace, defense, or industrial manufacturing sectors.

• Preferred: Familiarity with PPAP, AS9102 first article inspection, or other customer launch requirements.

• Preferred: Knowledge of ERP systems, Salesforce, BI tools like Tableau or Looker, and project management tools such as Smartsheet, Jira, Asana, or Microsoft Project.

• Preferred: Experience in a high-mix contract manufacturing or manufacturing marketplace environment.

• Willingness to travel approximately 25% to customer and partner facilities.

🏝️ Benefits

• Annual bonus.

• 401(k) matching.

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance.

• Life and disability insurance.

• Generous paid time off, including vacation, sick leave, floating and fixed holidays, maternity, and bonding leave.

• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) and other wellness resources.