G&H (Gooch & Housego)
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Program Director, North America
role at
G&H (Gooch & Housego) . Apply now to be among the first 25 applicants.
About Us G&H is a world leader in optical designing, testing and manufacturing. As experts in the technology of light, G&H works with customers to provide optical systems, assemblies, and components for demanding applications.
Headquartered in Ilminster, Somerset, UK with primary operations in the USA and Europe, G&H is recognized for the breadth of its acousto-optic, electro-optic, crystal-optic, fiber optic, and precision optic products. The company is the preferred source for OEMs in life sciences, industrial, and aerospace & defense industries, with a history of quality and excellence spanning over 75 years.
Job Type Full-time
Description The Program Director will lead and own key end‑to‑end programs for G&H’s North American defense, commercial space, and related photonics/optical systems business. The role requires working flexibly in a fast‑paced, evolving environment, coordinating across multiple sites, disciplines and functions (sales, engineering, operations, quality, supply chain), and interfacing with customers and executive leadership.
Responsibilities & Performance Measures
Lead the full lifecycle of assigned programs: capture/definition, contract negotiation, planning, execution, delivery, and post‑delivery support.
Serve as the primary internal and external program interface, acting as the customer‑facing executive sponsor and engaging senior stakeholders.
Develop and maintain the program execution plan, including schedule, milestones, deliverables, scope, budgets, resourcing, risk mitigation, quality & compliance.
Monitor program performance: cost tracking, schedule adherence, technical performance, quality/reliability metrics, risk & issue logs, corrective actions.
Report regularly to the Global Head of Sales and other executive stakeholders on status, forecasts, opportunities and threats.
Facilitate cross‑functional teamwork across multiple G&H sites to ensure seamless execution.
Travel across North America to customers and internal sites for engagement, reviews, and relationship strengthening.
Develop and deliver customer proposals in alignment with program plans and commercial commitments.
Drive continuous improvement and standardization across programs.
Maintain oversight of contractual, compliance and regulatory obligations in defense/space markets.
Establish and maintain strong senior‑level customer relationships.
Qualifications & Skills
Bachelor’s degree in engineering or related field; advanced degree preferred (MBA, MS).
10+ years of program management/directorship experience in an engineering‑based organization, ideally in aerospace, defense, commercial space or high‑precision manufacturing.
Demonstrated experience in program capture, proposal/contract interface, commercial collaboration, and full program lifecycle execution.
Proven track record in fast‑paced, dynamic environments.
Sales experience or strong customer‑facing exposure.
Strong cross‑functional leadership skills across engineering, manufacturing, supply chain, quality, and test.
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
Willingness and ability to travel across North America frequently.
Experience in defense/commercial space environments is highly desirable.
Strong business acumen: translate technical issues into commercial impact.
Preferred/Desired Attributes
Hands‑on mindset while operating at strategic level.
Strategic thinker with ability to anticipate and mitigate risks.
Entrepreneurial, adaptable, and thrives in change‑heavy environments.
Collaborative and influential across geographies and sites.
Results‑driven with a record of on‑time, on‑budget, on‑spec delivery.
Global mindset and effective international teamwork.
Passion for photonics/optics/advanced technology.
Key Metrics of Success
Program schedule adherence: % milestones met versus plan.
Program cost performance: % cost variance versus budget.
Customer satisfaction/retention: post‑delivery feedback, follow‑on business.
Risk mitigation: number/severity of escalated issues and corrective actions.
Internal cross‑site collaboration effectiveness.
New business support and proposal conversion rate.
Process improvement implementation and realized efficiencies.
Working Conditions & Travel Expectations
The role is primarily remote but requires presence at applicable G&H sites as needed.
Frequent travel (30–50% of time) across North America for customer sites, program reviews, and internal visits.
Must be able to operate effectively in a fast‑paced, evolving environment.
Notes This job description is not intended to be exhaustive. Employees are expected to undertake all other reasonable and related tasks delegated by their line manager.
EEO Statement The Company is committed to providing equal employment opportunities for all employees and applicants. The Company does not discriminate on the grounds of gender, race, religion or belief, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by national laws under which the Company operates.
Security & Export Control
Many employment roles at Gooch & Housego are subject to government security and export control restrictions.
Applicants must be aware that nationality, previous nationalities held, and place of birth may restrict eligibility for certain roles.
All UK applicants must be able to complete UK government baseline security vetting.
Positions requiring access to U.S. export‑controlled data will assess U.S. person status according to EAR and ITAR. Failure to provide the necessary information may result in inability to further consider the application.
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Program Director, North America
role at
G&H (Gooch & Housego) . Apply now to be among the first 25 applicants.
About Us G&H is a world leader in optical designing, testing and manufacturing. As experts in the technology of light, G&H works with customers to provide optical systems, assemblies, and components for demanding applications.
Headquartered in Ilminster, Somerset, UK with primary operations in the USA and Europe, G&H is recognized for the breadth of its acousto-optic, electro-optic, crystal-optic, fiber optic, and precision optic products. The company is the preferred source for OEMs in life sciences, industrial, and aerospace & defense industries, with a history of quality and excellence spanning over 75 years.
Job Type Full-time
Description The Program Director will lead and own key end‑to‑end programs for G&H’s North American defense, commercial space, and related photonics/optical systems business. The role requires working flexibly in a fast‑paced, evolving environment, coordinating across multiple sites, disciplines and functions (sales, engineering, operations, quality, supply chain), and interfacing with customers and executive leadership.
Responsibilities & Performance Measures
Lead the full lifecycle of assigned programs: capture/definition, contract negotiation, planning, execution, delivery, and post‑delivery support.
Serve as the primary internal and external program interface, acting as the customer‑facing executive sponsor and engaging senior stakeholders.
Develop and maintain the program execution plan, including schedule, milestones, deliverables, scope, budgets, resourcing, risk mitigation, quality & compliance.
Monitor program performance: cost tracking, schedule adherence, technical performance, quality/reliability metrics, risk & issue logs, corrective actions.
Report regularly to the Global Head of Sales and other executive stakeholders on status, forecasts, opportunities and threats.
Facilitate cross‑functional teamwork across multiple G&H sites to ensure seamless execution.
Travel across North America to customers and internal sites for engagement, reviews, and relationship strengthening.
Develop and deliver customer proposals in alignment with program plans and commercial commitments.
Drive continuous improvement and standardization across programs.
Maintain oversight of contractual, compliance and regulatory obligations in defense/space markets.
Establish and maintain strong senior‑level customer relationships.
Qualifications & Skills
Bachelor’s degree in engineering or related field; advanced degree preferred (MBA, MS).
10+ years of program management/directorship experience in an engineering‑based organization, ideally in aerospace, defense, commercial space or high‑precision manufacturing.
Demonstrated experience in program capture, proposal/contract interface, commercial collaboration, and full program lifecycle execution.
Proven track record in fast‑paced, dynamic environments.
Sales experience or strong customer‑facing exposure.
Strong cross‑functional leadership skills across engineering, manufacturing, supply chain, quality, and test.
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
Willingness and ability to travel across North America frequently.
Experience in defense/commercial space environments is highly desirable.
Strong business acumen: translate technical issues into commercial impact.
Preferred/Desired Attributes
Hands‑on mindset while operating at strategic level.
Strategic thinker with ability to anticipate and mitigate risks.
Entrepreneurial, adaptable, and thrives in change‑heavy environments.
Collaborative and influential across geographies and sites.
Results‑driven with a record of on‑time, on‑budget, on‑spec delivery.
Global mindset and effective international teamwork.
Passion for photonics/optics/advanced technology.
Key Metrics of Success
Program schedule adherence: % milestones met versus plan.
Program cost performance: % cost variance versus budget.
Customer satisfaction/retention: post‑delivery feedback, follow‑on business.
Risk mitigation: number/severity of escalated issues and corrective actions.
Internal cross‑site collaboration effectiveness.
New business support and proposal conversion rate.
Process improvement implementation and realized efficiencies.
Working Conditions & Travel Expectations
The role is primarily remote but requires presence at applicable G&H sites as needed.
Frequent travel (30–50% of time) across North America for customer sites, program reviews, and internal visits.
Must be able to operate effectively in a fast‑paced, evolving environment.
Notes This job description is not intended to be exhaustive. Employees are expected to undertake all other reasonable and related tasks delegated by their line manager.
EEO Statement The Company is committed to providing equal employment opportunities for all employees and applicants. The Company does not discriminate on the grounds of gender, race, religion or belief, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by national laws under which the Company operates.
Security & Export Control
Many employment roles at Gooch & Housego are subject to government security and export control restrictions.
Applicants must be aware that nationality, previous nationalities held, and place of birth may restrict eligibility for certain roles.
All UK applicants must be able to complete UK government baseline security vetting.
Positions requiring access to U.S. export‑controlled data will assess U.S. person status according to EAR and ITAR. Failure to provide the necessary information may result in inability to further consider the application.
#J-18808-Ljbffr