Project Manager
Job Ref: # 7851550
Date Posted: 3/16/2026 12:00:00 AM
City, State: Rock Hill, SC
Salary: $90,000 - $110,000
Description
Go to end ⇓The Project Manager is responsible for the planning, executing, and delivering of complex defense contracts in support of government and military customers. This role oversees all aspects of project performance, including scope, schedule, cost, and risk management. The Project Manager coordinates with cross-functional and cross-national teams, manages stakeholder communication, and ensures compliance with contractual and regulatory requirements.
Physical Demands & Work Environment:
- Working as part of the wider company project function with senior management, Program Managers, Project Engineers and Technical Service Engineers.
- Occasional travel to customer sites both in the US and rest of the World with occasional work outside normal business hours as may be required from time to time.
- Working within a strict time, budgetary and quality framework.
- Working with and/or near machinery, lifting of equipment, and test of systems required as necessary to complete project deliverables.
Key Working Relationships:
Internal
- Program Manager
- Contracts Manager
- Finance Manager
- Project Engineer
External
- Customer Point of Contact.
- Customer Operational Teams.
- Government Authorities.
- Vendors/Suppliers.
Key Responsibilities:
This list is provided as an overview and should not be construed as exhaustive:
- Lead the full project lifecycle from inception through planning, execution, monitoring, and close.
- Develop and maintain detailed project documents such as schedules, budgets, communication plans, and any other contractual requirements/organization standards.
- Coordinate cross-functional teams of engineers, logistics coordinators, supply chain and procurement, and manufacturing personnel.
- Serve as the primary point of contact for government customers, other defense contractors, subcontractors and vendors, and internal leadership regarding project performance and status.
- Monitor and control project progress by implementing corrective actions, where necessary, to ensure milestones, deliverables, and financial targets are achieved.
- Manage project risks and issues through strict risk management and documentation processes.
- Ensure compliance with defense industry regulations and contractual requirements, including but not limited to International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), Federal Acquisition Regulations and Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (FAR/DFARS), etc.
- Prepare and deliver project reviews, status reports, and briefings to senior leadership, customers, and other stakeholders.
- Oversee subcontractor performance and coordinate deliverables across the supply chain.
- Manage customer relationships and expectations in order to drive additional business opportunities.
- Identify and champion continuous improvement efforts as well as participate in process improvement exercises.
- Drive company success by maintaining a business focussed mindset, and understanding the company's overall objectives.
- Operate within, review, improve, and generate internal processes where applicable.
- Accountable for any other such duties that may be reasonably compatible with the nature and scope of the role.
Must-Have Skills, Experience, and Education:
- Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Project Management, Engineering, or other related field.
- At least 5 years of Project Management experience, preferably within the defense, aerospace, or government sectors, though not required.
- Demonstrated experience managing multiple complex technical projects with multiple stakeholders and strict requirements.
- Strong knowledge of project management methodologies, tools, and best practices.
- Experience managing project budgets, schedule, and resource allocation.
- Excellent leadership, communication, and stakeholder management skills, including direct customer engagement.
- Strong commercial and contractual acumen with the ability to extract project requirements from a contract.
- A positive 'can do' approach with an ability to build and maintain strong relationships with customers and key stakeholders.
- Strong analytical skills, with additional preference for technical knowledge/experience.
- High level of computer literacy to include MS Project, Excel, Word and PowerPoint.
- U.S. Citizen with Full Driving Licence to drive in the US and abroad.
- Valid passport with no travel restrictions.
- Ability to obtain and maintain a government security clearance.
Nice-to-Have Skills, Experience, and Education:
- Project Management Professional (PMP) certification or equivalent.
- Experience with defense acquisition processes and government contract types, such as cost-plus, firm fixed price, etc.
- Familiarity with Earned Value Management (EVM) and program performance metrics.
- Experience managing subcontractors and working within a complex defense supply chain.
Core Competencies/Skills
- Leadership and team coordination
- Strategic planning and execution
- Risk and issue management
- Government customer engagement
- Contract and compliance management
- Problem-solving and decision making
- Attention to detail and professional written communication
