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Principal Program Manager

Waterdown, Canada

Job ID 30015
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L3Harris is dedicated to recruiting and developing high-performing talent who are passionate about what they do. Our employees are unified in a shared dedication to our customers’ mission and quest for professional growth. L3Harris provides an inclusive, engaging environment designed to empower employees and promote work-life success. Fundamental to our culture is an unwavering focus on values, dedication to our communities, and commitment to excellence in everything we do.

L3Harris Technologies is the Trusted Disruptor in the defense industry. With customers’ mission-critical needs always in mind, our employees deliver end-to-end technology solutions connecting the space, air, land, sea and cyber domains in the interest of national security.

Principal Program Manager

L3HARRIS WESCAM Division

Reference #: 30015

Waterdown, Ontario

About L3HARRIS WESCAM

As a subsidiary of L3Harris Technologies and within the Integrated Mission Systems Segment, the WESCAM division develops the most advanced optical sensor and targeting systems for global defense and military sectors, National Security, Search & Rescue and Airborne law enforcement agencies. From long-range covert surveillance missions to search and rescue operations, our MX-series systems, and the mission systems solutions they are a part of, produce stabilized high-magnification electro-optical and infrared images from airborne, marine and ground based platforms, enabling our customers to see first and act first.

About the Role

Directs all phases of programs from inception through completion. This role may include strategic programs that involve multiple L3Harris business units. Drives program execution in order to achieve key business and financial objectives for orders, revenue recognition, operating income, and free cash flow for new, continuing, or current programs. Responsible for the cost, schedule and technical performance of company programs or subsystems of major programs. Participates in the negotiation of contract and contract changes. Coordinates the preparation of proposals, business plans, performance Statement of Work (SOW) and specifications, operating budgets and financial terms/conditions of contract. Acts as primary customer contact for program activities, leading program review sessions with customer to discuss cost, schedule, and technical performance. Establishes design concepts, criteria and engineering efforts for product research, development, integration and test. Expands the product line with the customer. Establishes milestones and monitors adherence to master plans and schedules, identifies program problems and obtains solutions, such as allocating resources or changing contractual specifications. Directs the work of employees assigned to the program from technical, manufacturing and administrative areas.

Primary Responsibilities 

  • Lead the development and implementation of a broad, coordinated set of plans and programs to meet the goals and priorities of the company. This may involve strategic programs that involve or interact with multiple L3Harris business units (in this capacity, may report directly to the General Manager).
  • Conducts project baselines and identifies project metrics. 
  • Effectively communicate project expectations to project team members and stakeholders (including customers) in a timely and clear fashion.
  • Cultivate contacts with key vendors and the engineering community to obtain information about future vendor developments to try to influence developments in ways favorable to WESCAM and customers.
  • Participate in outside professional activities to maintain knowledge on developments in the field.
  • Continuously improve project management toolkits and methodologies used within PMO.
  • Provide expertise and consulting to project managers in the process of project management and in the softer skills of team dynamics, team building and group motivation.
  • Ensures assigned projects are delivered within scope, schedule, budget and quality levels are consistent with partner/customer expectations.
  • Promotes project scope growth and negotiates scope changes with the customers.  Manages project closure.
  • Identify follow-on or related new project opportunities.
  • Understand relationship between project and Company strategic objectives and maximize leveraging activities.
  • Define and document project scope, goals and deliverables in collaboration with senior management and stakeholders
  • Develop full-scale project plans and associated communication documents
  • Draft and submit budget, and recommend subsequent budget changes where necessary
  • Set and continually manage project expectations with customers, team members and other stakeholders.
  • Identify and manage project/program dependencies and critical path including intra project dependencies.
  • Plan and schedule program and project timelines and milestones using appropriate tools
  • Develop and deliver progress reports, proposals, requirements documentation, and presentations
  • Perform Risk Management and Mitigation in a pro-active fashion. Pro-actively manage Program risk reserves
  • Review and approve all purchase orders, subcontracts as well as changes to the main contract documents.
  • Perform lessons learned when required
  • Accountable for maintaining the target Gross Margin
  • Accountable for project scope, quality in accordance with contractual obligations.
  • Accountable for project schedule.
  • Accountable for revenue and cash
  • Provide mentoring, coaching and direction setting to team members and other project managers.
  • Extensive amount of travel may be required to support proposal activity and project execution

Required Capabilities 

  • Excellent organizational and time management skills
  • Strong project management skills including earn value management.
  • Solid background in electromechanical systems, optics, aerospace products or similar technologies
  • Ability to coordinate activities inter-company and with multiple departments such as Engineering, Operations, Finance, Customer Service, etc.
  • Ability to coordinate activities of major subcontractors or partner organizations
  • Knowledge of contract terms and conditions and sub contract management
  • Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
  • Strong drive and resilience.
  • Action and result oriented.
  • Ability to build strong relationships with people at all levels. Ability to influence people at all levels.
  • A willingness to see things through to the end.
  • A team player who is comfortable working with other professionals.
  • Ability to work efficiently under pressure and to tight deadlines.
  • Being an inspirational leader who is able to demonstrate enthusiasm, passion.
  • Willingness to take on project ownership and accountability.

Desired Education and Experiences 

  • Requires broad management and leadership knowledge to lead cross-department project teams or manage across the function.
  • Typically has mastery within a specific technical area or broad expertise across multiple related job areas.
  • Bachelor’s Degree with a minimum of 12 years of prior related experience.
  • Graduate Degree with a minimum of 10 years of prior related experience.
  • PMP certification desired

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At L3Harris, we foster an inclusive and equitable workplace. L3Harris is committed to treating all employees and applicants for employment with respect and dignity and maintaining a workplace that is free from unlawful discrimination. For applicants with disabilities, we will provide you with accommodation so that you have what you need in order to be at your best.

L3Harris performs background checks prior to employment as all applicants must be eligible for registration with the Controlled Goods Program and obtain and maintain a positive security assessment. Some positions may require a government of Canada “Reliability” status and/or Level 2 (Secret) security clearance. In addition, L3Harris performs pre-employment substance abuse testing where required.

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