The Executive Program Manager – Mechanical Systems is responsible for overseeing the planning, execution, and delivery of complex mechanical engineering programs across multiple product lines or platforms. This high-impact leadership role bridges technical engineering, cross-functional coordination, and business strategy to ensure mechanical system development meets schedule, cost, quality, and performance targets. The role entails managing multidisciplinary teams, customer engagements, supplier interfaces, and risk mitigation strategies across the full program lifecycle—from concept through production or deployment.
Key Responsibilities:
Lead the execution of strategic mechanical engineering programs, including structural systems, thermal subsystems, enclosures, actuators, and mechanical-electrical assemblies
Align program scope, milestones, and deliverables with engineering, manufacturing, supply chain, and business unit objectives
Oversee integrated master schedules, budgets, resource allocations, and technical reviews (PDRs, CDRs, TRRs, etc.)
Drive risk management, change control, and mitigation plans across design, prototyping, testing, and production phases
Manage stakeholder communications including executive leadership, customer representatives, and internal business functions
Collaborate with engineering leadership to resolve technical challenges and integrate mechanical designs into broader system architectures
Lead status reviews, Earned Value Management (EVM), and program performance reporting
Support strategic sourcing, vendor coordination, and subcontractor management for mechanical components and tooling
Champion continuous improvement in program management processes and engineering execution
Key Focus Areas:
End-to-end program management for complex mechanical engineering initiatives
Cross-functional team leadership and stakeholder engagement
Schedule, budget, and scope control for engineering deliverables
Risk identification, mitigation, and issue resolution
Integration of mechanical systems with electrical, thermal, or software systems
Customer relationship management and communication of technical progress
Governance of design reviews, compliance documentation, and quality gates
Qualifications & Skills:
Education:
Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or related field required
Master’s degree in Engineering, Program Management, or Business (MBA) preferred
Certifications:
PMP certification strongly preferred
Agile or Six Sigma certifications a plus
Experience:
12–18+ years of engineering or technical program management experience in aerospace, automotive, energy, defense, or complex manufacturing industries
Proven success in leading large-scale mechanical system programs from concept through launch or production
Experience managing multidisciplinary engineering teams and vendor/supplier interfaces
Strong background in mechanical systems development, validation, and integration
Technical Skills:
Proficient in project management tools (MS Project, Primavera, JIRA) and collaboration platforms
Understanding of mechanical CAD systems (e.g., CATIA, NX, Creo) and engineering documentation processes
Familiarity with regulatory, quality, and compliance frameworks (AS9100, ISO 9001, PPAP, etc.)
Soft Skills:
Strategic thinker with hands-on leadership style
Excellent verbal, written, and executive presentation skills
Strong interpersonal skills and ability to lead cross-functional teams in high-stakes environments
Resilient, results-driven, and adaptable to dynamic project demands