Program Manager, Technician Training

ABOUT THE TEAM

The Manufacturing Production team is responsible for a wide range of activities that are crucial to the manufacturing process including operating equipment, assembling products, performing quality control checks, and maintaining a safe and efficient work environment. The Manufacturing Training + Development team plays a critical role in equipping employees with the skills, knowledge, and resources needed to excel in their roles. The Manufacturing Training + Development team designs, develops, delivers training programs that enhance technical proficiency, ensure compliance, and support career growth within the organization.

ABOUT THE JOB

We’re building the future of defense manufacturing — and that starts with how we train and develop our people. The Technician Trainer Program Manager will lead the design, coordination, and execution of technician training programs at our headquarters in Costa Mesa, CA. This role bridges strategy and execution: partnering closely with production, quality, and safety teams to understand business needs. This role will manage a small team of trainers to deliver learning solutions that build skill, capability, and confidence across our workforce.

WHAT YOU’LL DO

• Assess Training Needs: Partner with manufacturing, quality, and operations leaders to identify skill gaps, define learning priorities, and align training to site and business objectives.
• Design and Develop Training: Create or adapt technician and leadership training content, materials, and hands-on learning experiences to meet site-specific needs.
• Scope & Manage Learning Projects: Own training project plans end-to-end — from needs analysis and design through delivery, resource planning, and post-training evaluation.
• Deliver & Facilitate Training: Facilitate technician and leadership development programs; coach team trainers to deliver engaging and effective sessions.
• Manage Manufacturing Onboarding: Ensure the Technician Training team delivers consistent, high-quality onboarding for all new manufacturing hires at the Ohio site.
• Plan & Schedule Training: Maintain a site-wide training calendar, coordinate resources, and align delivery timelines with production schedules.
• Track Outcomes & Drive Continuous Improvement: Measure training effectiveness through pre- and post-training metrics; use data and feedback to continuously improve content and delivery.
• Collaborate & Communicate: Act as a key liaison between production leaders, L&D, safety, and quality to ensure alignment and seamless rollout of new training initiatives.
• Lead and develop the Tech Training Team: Provide direction and support to technician trainer(s), ensuring excellence in facilitation, documentation, and execution.
• Enable internal training capability: Develop and facilitate train the trainer programs, and provide resources that enable teams to deliver their own effective training.
• Partner and expand impact: Engage with vendors and external partners to develop specialized training solutions and strengthen local talent pipeline
• Perform other responsibilities as assigned to support training strategy

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• 8+ years of experience in Learning & Development, Technical Training, or similar roles
• People leadership experience
• Proven ability to design, manage, and deliver training programs from concept to completion
• Strong facilitation skills — able to engage and train both technicians and leaders
• Excellent organizational skills and ability to manage multiple concurrent projects
• Experience in a manufacturing or production environment strongly preferred
• Strong collaborator and communicator who can partner effectively with cross-functional teams
• Data-driven mindset with a focus on training impact and measurable outcomes
• Eligible to obtain and maintain an active U.S. Secret security clearance

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Hands-on experience training technicians or production staff
• Strong technical knowledge and mechanical ability of manufacturing equipment, practices, and safety standards
• Experience working within or directly supporting a manufacturing, production, or heavy industrial environment is preferred