Program Manager

Title:                         Program Manager – Precision Optics

Location:                  Rochester, NY

Company: EvolvOptic is a leading supplier of precision machined optical blanks. We are shaping the future together with our collaborators and customers. We are growing our capacity and capabilities for blank manufacturing. The same experienced team that made our company a respected leader in our field remains on the frontlines, keeping production humming and delivering an array of high-quality components. We are proud and honored to be a partner to our customers for their optical component needs providing best-value solutions to meet their priorities, including cost, schedule, and assured quality.

The forecast for the future is bright. We are expanding into large, complex optical components by pulling together the right team, the right technology, and the right methods to provide best-value solutions to ground-based and space-based imaging, semiconductor industry, and high energy optics, such as laser fusion and directed energy. 

Salary: $90K/yr - $120K/yr

Position Summary

The Program Manager is responsible for leading complex precision optics programs from initial pursuit through contract award program execution, and delivery. This role owns cost, schedule, and technical coordination across engineering, manufacturing, suppliers, and customers. In a small-business environment, the Program Manager is hands-on, highly cross-functional, and directly engaged in both strategic planning and day-to-day execution.

Key Responsibilities

• Own full program lifecycle for large precision optics projects.
• Serve as primary customer point of contact for program execution, milestones, and deliverables.
• Develop and manage program schedules, budgets, and risk registers.
• Coordinate cross-functional teams including opto-mechanical engineering, manufacturing, metrology, quality, and supply chain.
• Translate customer requirements into executable technical and manufacturing plans.
• Lead design reviews, technical interchange meetings (TIMs), and internal program reviews.
• Manage subcontractors and key suppliers for optical materials, coatings, fabrication, and testing.
• Track earned value, cost performance, and schedule performance; implement corrective actions as needed.
• Lead proposal development, cost estimating, and transition from proposal to execution.
• Ensure compliance with contractual, quality, and documentation requirements.
• Identify process improvements to increase efficiency, predictability, and scalability.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, Physics, or related technical field.
• 5+ years of program or project management experience in precision optics, photonics, aerospace, or advanced manufacturing.
• Working knowledge of optical fabrication, coating, metrology, and alignment processes.
• Experience managing schedules, budgets, and technical risk for high-value, low-volume programs.
• Strong customer-facing communication and negotiation skills.
• Ability to operate independently in a small, fast-paced organization.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree in engineering, Optics, or Business
• PMP or equivalent program management certification
• Experience with government or aerospace contracts
• Familiarity with ITAR, ISO 9001, or AS9100 environments
• Hands-on technical background in optics or opto-mechanical systems

Key Competencies

• Technical credibility with engineers and manufacturing teams
• Strong organizational and prioritization skills
• Clear, concise written and verbal communication
• Risk-driven decision making
• Adaptability and comfort with ambiguity

What We Offer

• Opportunity to lead cutting-edge optics programs with direct customer impact
• High visibility and influence in a growing small business
• Collaborative, technically driven culture
• Competitive compensation and benefits

This position is subject to US export control laws, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) and the Export Administration Regulations (EAR), which require US person status. A “US person” is defined by these regulations as a US citizen, US lawful permanent resident (i.e., “green card holder”), political asylee, or refugee.

All employees must also be legally authorized to work in the United States. Verification of employment eligibility will be required consistent with federal law (Form I-9). Export control assessments are conducted separately to ensure compliance with ITAR/EAR.

EvolvOptic is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of any legally protected status or characteristic protected by state or federal law.