Program Manager, Government Manufacturing Contracts

Xometry
Detroit, MI
On-site

Who this role is best for

Candidates with manufacturing program management experience and government contracting expertise will find this role demanding in terms of compliance and cross-functional coordination.

Best fit for

  • Candidates with a background in managing U.S. government contracts and manufacturing operations will thrive.
    — “3–5+ years managing U.S. government contracts (DoD / federal), ideally involving hardware production and quality/inspection requirements”
  • Individuals who have led cross-functional teams and driven compliance with FAR/DFARS and quality standards are well-suited.
    — “Success requires strong program control, manufacturing fluency, and practical knowledge of FAR/DFARS-driven contract requirements”
  • Candidates with experience in quality workflows and managing subcontractors will align well with the role’s execution demands.
    — “Experience running quality workflows: FAI, inspection planning, NCR/MRB, RCCA, certificate packages, traceability”

Things to consider

  • The role requires managing multiple compliance frameworks, including FAR/DFARS, NIST 800-171, and CMMC.
    — “Manage controlled information and cybersecurity requirements (CUI handling, NIST 800-171/CMMC readiness as applicable)”
  • Candidates must be prepared to handle complex contractual obligations and risk mitigation strategies.
    — “Maintain risk register; lead mitigation plans for long-lead materials, capacity constraints, quality escapes, and design ambiguity”

How to stand out

  • Highlight experience with integrated master schedules and cross-functional team leadership in your resume and interviews.
    — “Build and maintain integrated master schedules (IMS) for production lots, first article, inspection, and shipment milestones”
  • Showcase a history of managing government audits and ensuring documentation completeness.
    — “Ensure documentation package completeness: CoC, material certs, process certs (heat treat, plating, NDT, etc.), test reports, and objective evidence”
  • Emphasize your ability to interpret contract requirements and communicate effectively with government stakeholders.
    — “Interpret contract requirements (CLINs, deliverables, CDRLs/data items, inspection/acceptance terms, packaging/marking, shipping instructions)”
  • Demonstrate familiarity with government-specific quality standards like AS9102 FAI and NADCAP.
    — “Knowledge of common manufacturing quality standards: AS9100, ISO 9001, NADCAP (special processes), AS9102 FAI”
  • Include examples of managing multi-supplier networks or contract manufacturing models in your application materials.
    — “Experience managing multi-supplier networks (distributed manufacturing / marketplace / contract manufacturing models)”
Pace · SteadyCollaboration · HighAutonomy · MediumDecision Impact · Company

Derived from job-description analysis by Serendipath's career intelligence engine.

What success looks like

  • manage contract performance
  • coordinate internal and external stakeholders
  • ensure compliance
Typical background
program managerproject manager

Skills & requirements

Required

Contract ManagementManufacturing FluencyQuality ControlRisk Management

Preferred

Far/dfars ComplianceGovernment Contracting

Stack & domain

Project ManagementCommunicationOrganizational SkillsManufacturingGovernment Contracts

About the role

Original posting from Xometry via Greenhouse

Xometry (NASDAQ: XMTR) powers the industries of today and tomorrow by connecting the people with big ideas to the manufacturers who can bring them to life. Xometry’s digital marketplace gives manufacturers the critical resources they need to grow their business while also making it easy for buyers at Fortune 1000 companies to tap into global manufacturing capacity.

Program Manager, Government Manufacturing Contracts

The Program Manager owns end-to-end execution of U.S. government manufacturing contracts from award through final delivery and closeout. This role coordinates internal functions (engineering, DFM, sourcing, quality, compliance, finance, shipping) and external stakeholders (government customer, DCMA/QAR, suppliers/subcontractors) to deliver parts on time, compliant, and at target margin. Success requires strong program control, manufacturing fluency, and practical knowledge of FAR/DFARS-driven contract requirements.

How You’ll Contribute: 

Contract & Customer Execution

Serve as the single accountable owner (single POC) for contract performance: schedule, cost, scope, and compliance

Interpret contract requirements (CLINs, deliverables, CDRLs/data items, inspection/acceptance terms, packaging/marking, shipping instructions)

Lead customer communications: status reviews, risk escalations, change requests, and delivery commitments

Manufacturing Delivery Leadership

Build and maintain integrated master schedules (IMS) for production lots, first article, inspection, and shipment milestones

Drive cross-functional execution: engineering release, process selection, sourcing, capacity planning, production, and logistics

Manage subcontractors/suppliers: flow down requirements, manage lead times, track WIP, remove blockers, and ensure on-time delivery

Quality & Technical Compliance

Ensure compliance with quality clauses and inspection requirements (FAI/AS9102 where applicable, source inspection, receiving inspection, certs, traceability)

Coordinate quality events: First Article Testing, inspections, nonconformance (NCR/MRB), corrective actions (RCCA/8D), and customer dispositions

Ensure documentation package completeness: CoC, material certs, process certs (heat treat, plating, NDT, etc.), test reports, and objective evidence

Government Contracting Compliance

Ensure compliance with applicable FAR/DFARS clauses and program obligations (flowdowns, record retention, reporting)

Manage controlled information and cybersecurity requirements (CUI handling, NIST 800-171/CMMC readiness as applicable)

Support audits and government oversight (DCMA, DCAA support as relevant to program artifacts, cost/schedule evidence)

Risk, Cost, and Change Control

Maintain risk register; lead mitigation plans for long-lead materials, capacity constraints, quality escapes, and design ambiguity

Own change management: RFIs, engineering changes, waivers/deviations, and equitable adjustments (in partnership with contracts/legal)

Track financial performance: earned value style tracking (as appropriate), cost-to-complete, margin impacts, and invoice readiness

Closeout & Continuous Improvement

Drive contract closeout activities (deliverable completion, final invoicing support, lessons learned)

Improve standard work for government manufacturing execution (templates, playbooks, supplier requirements, inspection readiness)

What You’ll Bring to Xometry:

7–9+ years program management experience in manufacturing (CNC machining, sheet metal, additive, fabrication, assemblies, or industrial production)

3–5+ years managing U.S. government contracts (DoD / federal), ideally involving hardware production and quality/inspection requirements

Working knowledge of FAR/DFARS fundamentals (deliverables, changes, flowdowns, inspection/acceptance, recordkeeping)

Strong understanding of manufacturing operations: routing, work instructions, lead-time drivers, supplier management, and constraints

Demonstrated ability to lead cross-functional teams, manage schedules, and deliver under tight timelines

Experience running quality workflows: FAI, inspection planning, NCR/MRB, RCCA, certificate packages, traceability

Strong written and verbal communication skills; comfortable engaging with government stakeholders and auditors

Proficiency with program tools (Excel/Sheets, MS Project/Smartsheet or similar, ERP/MRP, basic dashboards)

Nice to Have:  

Experience as a prime contractor program manager (vs. only subcontractor) with full customer-facing ownership

Familiarity with DCMA engagement (QAR source inspection, QMS expectations) and government acceptance processes

Experience with DLA-style hardware contracting (NIINs, technical data packages, provisioning, packaging/marking)

ITAR/EAR controlled work experience (export-controlled drawings, controlled tech data, visitor controls)

Experience with CUI programs and NIST 800-171 / CMMC implementation coordination

Knowledge of common manufacturing quality standards: AS9100, ISO 9001, NADCAP (special processes), AS9102 FAI

Background in estimating/pricing support and contract change pricing support (REAs, mods)

Familiarity with MIL-STD packaging/labeling, UID, and shipment compliance for government customers

Experience managing multi-supplier networks (distributed manufacturing / marketplace / contract manufacturing models)

The estimated base salary range for new hires into this role is $148,000-173,000 annually + bonus depending on factors such as job-related skills, relevant experience, and location. We also offer a competitive benefits package, including 401(k) match, medical, dental and vision insurance; life and disability insurance; generous paid time off including vacation, sick leave, floating and fixed holidays, maternity and bonding leave; EAP, other wellbeing resources; and much more.

Xometry is an equal opportunity employer. All applicants will be considered for employment without attention to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran, or disability status.

For US based roles: Xometry participates in E-Verify and after a job offer is accepted, will provide the federal government with your Form I-9 information to confirm that you are authorized to work in the U.S.

Source: Xometry careers (Greenhouse)

Similar roles

More roles at Xometry