Senior Aerospace Program Manager
Quest Defense Systems & Solutions, Inc.Cincinnati, Ohio, United States · Posted 1 month agoDescription
We’re engineering the future of aerospace and defense. If you thrive on tackling complex challenges and delivering solutions where precision and reliability are non-negotiable, we want you on our team. Here, your expertise powers mission-critical systems that safeguard lives, advance technology, and push the boundaries of what’s possible. Join us and bring your skills to work where innovation meets impact.
Quest Defense Systems and Solutions is actively hiring a Senior Program Manager to be responsible for managing and developing a customer-focused program of engineers with a wide range of experience and expertise, as well as building and managing customer relationships to ensure workload pipeline is full. This position requires strong team leadership, relationship management, and account management skills. The ideal candidate will have 7-15 years of experience in the engineering industry and project management.
Location: Onsite in Cincinnati, OH.
Due to the nature of this work, all applicants must be a US Citizen and able to obtain a security clearance
Responsibilities:
- Personnel management of a team of 30-60 indirect and 6-10 direct employees
- Manage and develop a customer-focused program of engineers with a wide range of experience and expertise
- Build and manage customer relationships to ensure workload pipeline is full, develop and execute strategies for team growth
- Follow all company policies and procedures to ensure proper employee performance and development (metrics, performance reviews, training plans, etc.)
- Coordinate growth strategy planning and execution with customer-specific account management teams
- Manage all financial and operational aspects of the position, including revenue generation, growth, invoicing, manpower utilization, margin, etc.
- Track and report metrics for your organization’s performance, including customer satisfaction, earned value, quality, employee engagement and retention, and financial KPIs
- Monitor and improve program health governance structure
- Manage recruitment initiatives with hiring managers on the team, participate in interviews and onboarding of technical staff
- Support proposal development of new tasks (solution development, cost structure, schedule, and scope)
- Develop internal processes and procedures based on best practices and lessons learned, where applicable
- Collaborate with resource managers internally and externally to staff projects and ensure workload continuity
- Apply technical principles, theories, and concepts to solve a wide range of challenging engineering problems.
- This position description is not intended to be all-inclusive, and the employee will also perform other tasks as assigned.
Qualifications:
- 7-15 years of experience in the engineering industry with strong team leadership/relationship management/account management experience.
- Bachelor's degree in a related field
- Personnel and project management experience are required
- Experience managing business of $4 - $8 million account is desirable
- Strong foundation / experience in engineering services.
- Hands-on experience with solving technical problems and leading cross-functional teams (CFT’s)
- Strong leadership, interpersonal, communication, and presentation skills
- Effective in executive management presentations
- Excellent networking and relationship-building skills
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills
- Ability to forge relationships and build trust both within and external to the organization
- Demonstrated ability to quickly learn new methods, techniques, and approaches
- US Citizen required with the ability to obtain and maintain a Secret-level US DoD security clearance
Preferred skills:
- Experience in design & analysis requirements
- Experience with working on military aircraft/aero-engines and associated standards
- Gas Turbine and Defense industry preferred.
- Work well in a team-oriented, collaborative environment
- Are meticulously detail-oriented
- Enjoy people and dynamic teams with diverse experiences.
- Experience in adoption and/or integration of emerging technologies (e.g., generative AI, automation platforms, digital assistants) into day-to-day operations for continuous improvement.
Physical Requirements & Work Environment:
- Mostly office environments
- Heavily regulated industries with strict adherence to procedures
The QDSS Advantage:
At QDSS, our advantage is purpose-driven work, collaborative teams, and complex challenges that push boundaries and build lasting impact. You’ll grow your career while contributing to mission-critical programs that demand excellence and shape the future.
What You’ll Find Here
- Work That Matters – Next-generation, safety- and mission-critical projects where your contributions have real-world impact.
- Growth That’s Supported – Competitive compensation, employer-matched 401(k), certification assistance, and clear opportunities for advancement.
- A Culture That Works – A flexible, collaborative, and people-first environment where teamwork, innovation, and balance are valued.
Benefits Include
- Competitive pay, comprehensive medical/dental/life and disability coverage, 401(k) with employer match, professional development support, and a flexible, friendly workplace.
Full compensation package is based on candidate experience and certifications
At Quest Defense Systems and Solutions, we don’t just build technology — we engineer the future. From next-generation aerospace solutions to cutting-edge defense systems, we tackle the toughest, mission-critical challenges that keep people safe and push the boundaries of innovation. This is where problem-solvers, innovators, and visionary thinkers come together to shape the future. With over 25 years of aerospace and defense engineering expertise, our commitment to delivering high-quality, transformative solutions sets us apart — not just as an industry leader, but as a driving force for impactful change. Together, we’re not just leading the industry — we’re revolutionizing it.
Quest Defense provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.
This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Similar jobs
Est. 170,000 USD
We’re engineering the future of aerospace and defense. If you thrive on tackling complex challenges and delivering solutions where precision and reliability are non-negotiable, we want you on our team. Here, your experti…
Est. 113,000 USD
Join the elite team at QDSS, where our engineers are at the forefront of developing cutting-edge Aerospace, Defense, Space, and Medical Device products. Your work will make a real impact, contributing to the core of engi…
Est. 175,000 USD
Unlock the power of Safety- and Mission-Critical Engineering with QDSS. We are seeking exceptional individuals to join our elite team- where your expertise will make an impact that matters. Elevate your career in a compa…
Est. 71,500 USD
Engineers are the reason we exist—they’re the core of who we are. We don’t just build technology; we engineer the future. From next-gen aerospace to cutting-edge defense systems, our teams power the solutions that drive…
Est. 60,500 USD
We are seeking a Senior System Safety Engineer to lead system safety activities supporting complex defense programs throughout the full product lifecycle. In this role, you will evaluate system designs, identify and miti…
Est. 63,500 USD
We are looking for humble geniuses, who believe that engineering has the potential to make the impossible, possible; innovators, who are not only inspired by technology and innovation, but also perpetually driven to desi…
Est. 72,250 USD
We’re looking for engineers who believe innovation can turn the impossible into reality and are driven to design, develop, and test solutions that make a real impact. Join a diverse team tackling cutting-edge challenges,…
Est. 105,000 USD
We’re looking for humble geniuses who believe engineering can turn the impossible into reality—and who are driven to design, build, and test solutions that matter for some of the world’s most trusted companies. If you wa…
Est. 83,000 USD
We’re engineering the future of aerospace and defense. If you thrive on tackling complex challenges and delivering solutions where precision and reliability are non-negotiable, we want you on our team. Here, your experti…
Est. 137,500 USD
We don’t just build technology—we engineer the future. From next-gen aerospace to cutting-edge defense systems, we tackle the toughest, mission-critical challenges that keep people safe and push the limits of innovation.…
Est. 70,000 USD
We’re looking for humble geniuses who believe engineering can turn the impossible into reality—and who are driven to design, build, and test solutions that matter for some of the world’s most trusted companies. If you wa…
Est. 137,500 USD
We don’t just build technology—we engineer the future. From next-gen aerospace to cutting-edge defense systems, we tackle the toughest, mission-critical challenges that keep people safe and push the limits of innovation.…
Est. 112,500 USD
We are seeking a Validation Engineer - Product Definition to support the development of aerospace structures, engine controls, gas turbine components, and Model-Based Definition (MBD) initiatives. In this role, you will…
Est. 152,500 USD
Engineers are the reason we exist—they’re the core of who we are. We don’t just build technology; we engineer the future. From next-gen aerospace to cutting-edge defense systems, our teams power the solutions that drive…
Est. 72,250 USD
Our engineers don't just execute designs—they help shape solutions. Quest Defense Systems and Solutions is actively seeking a highly skilled Mechanical Design Engineer. In this role, you'll work directly alongside leadin…
Est. 83,000 USD
Embark on a journey where your engineering prowess shapes the future of aerospace innovation. We're seeking a dedicated Model Based Definition Engineer to join our team, contributing to the next generation of jet engine…
Est. 73,500 USD
Embark on a journey where your engineering prowess shapes the future of aerospace innovation. We're seeking a dedicated Model Based Definition Engineer to join our team, contributing to the next generation of jet engine…
Est. 83,000 USD
We’re engineering the future of aerospace and defense. If you thrive on tackling complex challenges and delivering solutions where precision and reliability are non-negotiable, we want you on our team. Here, your experti…
Est. 83,000 USD
We’re engineering the future of aerospace and defense. If you thrive on tackling complex challenges and delivering solutions where precision and reliability are non-negotiable, we want you on our team. Here, your experti…
Est. 80,500 USD
Immediately Hiring! Quest Defense Systems & Solutions is seeking a Mechanical Integrity Engineer – Gas Turbine Structures to support structural analysis and substantiation work for gas turbine engine components. This…
Est. 137,500 USD
Engineers are the reason we exist—they’re the core of who we are. We don’t just build technology; we engineer the future. From next-gen aerospace to cutting-edge defense systems, our teams power the solutions that drive…
Est. 84,975 USD
We don’t just build technology—we engineer the future. From next-gen aerospace to cutting-edge defense systems, we tackle the toughest, mission-critical challenges that keep people safe and push the limits of innovation.…
Est. 116,000 USD
We’re engineering the future of aerospace and defense. If you thrive on tackling complex challenges and delivering solutions where precision and reliability are non-negotiable, we want you on our team. Here, your experti…
Est. 80,500 USD
Immediately Hiring! Quest Defense Systems & Solutions is seeking a Mechanical Engineer, Integrity/Structures, to support structural analysis and substantiation work for gas turbine engine components. This role is ide…
Est. 69,500 USD
Quest Defense is an organization at the forefront of innovation and one of the world’s fastest growing engineering services firms with deep domain knowledge and recognized expertise in the top OEMs across seven industrie…
Est. 152,500 USD
Engineers are the reason we exist—they’re the core of who we are. We don’t just build technology; we engineer the future. From next-gen aerospace to cutting-edge defense systems, our teams power the solutions that drive…
Est. 65,500 USD
At QDSS, we focus on solving complex problems that directly impact production, quality, and system performance. If you thrive in hands-on, technical environments, you’ll feel right at home here. Quest Defense Systems &am…
Est. 130,000 USD
We’re looking for humble geniuses who believe engineering can turn the impossible into reality—and who are driven to design, build, and test solutions that matter for some of the world’s most trusted companies. If you wa…
Est. 114,000 USD
Join Our Talent Network! Exciting Opportunities on the horizon at QDSS as we are anticipating the next phase of growth and innovation. Joining our team now means positioning yourself at the forefront of our growth journe…
Est. 137,500 USD
Engineers are the reason we exist—they’re the core of who we are. We don’t just build technology; we engineer the future. From next-gen aerospace to cutting-edge defense systems, our teams power the solutions that drive…