Deputy Program Manager Aerospace (Secret Clearance, ITAR)

The Killeen Group is seeking a Deputy Program Manager on behalf of a leading manufacturer in Skagit County, WA. This growing company provides award-winning service to the commercial aerospace, space and defense markets.

The Deputy Program Manager is a key force behind the success of the engineering team—driving strategic initiatives, streamlining execution, and amplifying the impact of the Program Director.

This high-visibility role demands a sharp, proactive leader who thrives in complexity, anticipates challenges, and builds trusted partnerships across the organization. The ideal candidate will possess a deep understanding of engineering operations, organizational dynamics, and process optimization, ensuring seamless execution of key initiatives.

Title: Deputy Program Manager

Location(s): Onsite – Hamilton, WA

Type: Salaried, Full-time

Salary: $125,000-150,000/yr + Bonus

Travel: On-site with potential opportunities for off-site

Duties:

Make informed decisions and resolve issues by exercising sound judgment and communicating critical outcomes to appropriate stakeholders, often acting on behalf of senior leadership

Plan, coordinate, and facilitate meetings, conferences, and special events, handling logistics and preparing materials as needed

Provide executive support with minimal guidance, managing priorities, scheduling, and delegating tasks when necessary

Serve as the central coordination point across departments, ensuring effective collaboration and communication between executive leadership, department heads, and staff

Handle sensitive information with discretion, professionalism, and strict confidentiality

Represent the Program Director in external meetings, ensuring seamless alignment with organizational goals

Undertake and manage special projects of varying sizes and complexities, ensuring they are completed on time and within scope

Partner with executive leadership to develop and implement long-term strategic plans, setting key performance indicators and monitoring progress toward business objectives

Navigate complex organizational dynamics with diplomacy and strategic awareness, fostering open communication to build and maintain strong stakeholder relationships

Perform additional responsibilities as required, recognizing that duties are not limited to the above-listed functions

Ensure the Program Director’s active involvement in key engineering decision-making processes

Act as a trusted advisor to the Program Director and executive leadership, providing insights and recommendations for workflow optimization, collaboration enhancement, and budget management based on a deep understanding of engineering and business operations Promote best practices in design for manufacturability and design for assembly

Qualifications:

Required:

This position requires the ability to obtain a U.S. Secret Security Clearance (U.S. Citizenship Required). The Company will assist in gaining this access once employed. Special Access Program or other Government Access Requirements are mandatory for this position and requires candidate agreed to enter a Continuous Evaluation program.

10+ years of relevant industry experience preferred, with strong leadership in engineering, manufacturing, or business operations

Proven experience working directly with senior leadership, managing strategic initiatives, and influencing decision-making

Expertise in leading complex engineering or business projects, coordinating cross-functional teams, and ensuring timely execution and stakeholder alignment

Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with a proactive, inquisitive, and intuitive approach to challenges

Advanced project management abilities, with demonstrated success in executing initiatives and meeting strategic objectives

Strong leadership and interpersonal skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively and influence stakeholders at all levels

Proven ability to manage confidential data and executive-level discussions with professionalism and discretion

Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic environment, balancing multiple priorities with efficient and effective time management

High level of integrity, professionalism, and discretion in handling confidential information

Exceptional verbal and written communication skills in English, with experience presenting to executives, managing customer relations, and negotiating contracts

Benefits:

Medical, dental, and vision insurance with employer contribution

Disability insurance as well as Life/AD&D insurance

HSA (Health Savings Account) with employer contribution and FSA (Flexible Savings Account)

401k with employer matching

Paid time off and paid holidays (including two floating holidays)

Education reimbursement program

Education reimbursement program available after 1-year of service

Next Steps:

If selected and progressed, you will:

Conduct a screening call with a Killeen Group recruiter

Conduct 1-3 interviews with hiring company