# Defense Vehicle Program Manager

**Company**: Ford Motor Company
**Location**: Dearborn, MI
**Work arrangement**: hybrid
**Experience**: senior
**Job type**: full-time
**Salary**: $141,700-$268,300
**Category**: Engineering
**Industry**: Automotive
**Wikidata**: https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q44294

**Apply**: https://efds.fa.em5.oraclecloud.com/hcmUI/CandidateExperience/en/sites/CX_1/job/69441?utm_source=yubhub.co&utm_medium=jobs_feed&utm_campaign=apply
**Canonical**: https://yubhub.co/jobs/job_b6201e1b-686

## Description

We are seeking a seasoned Defense Vehicle Program Manager to lead and mentor a high-performing program management team. As a key advisor to the Chief Program Engineer (CPE), you will drive key processes and ensure on-time delivery of Ford's world-class commercial solutions to tactical defense applications.

The successful candidate will have direct experience with DoD acquisition, government contracting, and/or defense/military ground vehicle development. This is a critical role that requires strong collaboration, decision-making skills, and the ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment.

**Responsibilities**

- Lead end-to-end execution of the program from capture through delivery and sustainment using established gated processes.

- Own program imperatives (scope, schedule, cost, resources, risk, quality) and establish standard operating mechanisms.

- Champion and continuously improve program processes, ensuring adherence to gated program cadences and governance reviews.

- Lead program decision forums with the CPE, clearing scope, schedule, cost decisions and accountability for closure.

- Drive launch and quality disciplines to ensure on-time, on-cost delivery.

- Partner with the CPE to identify, quantify, and mitigate program risks and issues.

- Develop contingency plans and gap-closure actions with clear owners and dates.

- Serve as a primary interface to government and defense industry partners, leading day-to-day interactions and formal program reviews.

- Represent the program in business development and capture activities.

- Foster a culture of safety, defense-specific compliance, integrity, and continuous improvement.

- Directly lead, mentor, and develop program management staff.

**Qualifications**

- Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Business Administration, or a related technical/business field.

- Demonstrated experience in the defense sector and/or defense ground vehicle programs.

- Experience with DoD acquisition programs, defense contracting, or comparable government/defense platform experience.

- Program or project management leadership of complex, cross-functional initiatives.

- Working knowledge of the defense sector, spanning DoD acquisition processes, business development, and engineering.

- Familiarity with defense compliance and regulatory frameworks.

- Excellent verbal and written communication skills.

- Strong business acumen with demonstrated ownership of program financial outcomes.

**Benefits**

- Immediate medical, dental, vision, and prescription drug coverage

- Flexible family care days, paid parental leave, new parent ramp-up programs, subsidized back-up child care

- Family building benefits, including adoption and surrogacy expense reimbursement, fertility treatments

- Vehicle discount program for employees and family members

- Tuition assistance

- Established and active employee resource groups

- Paid time off for individual and team community service

- A generous schedule of paid holidays

- Paid time off and the option to purchase additional vacation time

## Skills

### Required
- DoD acquisition
- government contracting
- defense/military ground vehicle development
- program management
- leadership

### Nice to have
- Master's degree in Engineering or MBA
- direct hands-on experience with special-purpose, armored, tactical, or military ground vehicle programs

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