Associate Program Design Manager

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Associate Program Design Manager

Company: Faith Technologies

Location: Little Chute, Wisconsin, United States (Appleton, WI also considered)

Job Type: Full-time

Category: Program Design & Management (GTM Operations adjacent)

Date Posted: September 02, 2026

Experience Level: Mid-Level (4-8+ years depending on education)

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• Support the end-to-end development of complex programs, from initial concept through engineering completion and handoff to execution teams.

• Act as a critical liaison between engineering, manufacturing, procurement, logistics, construction, and project delivery teams.

• Develop skills in managing multidisciplinary projects, focusing on Engineered-to-Order (ETO) product design, Design-Build, Mission Critical, or integrated project delivery models.

• Drive program documentation, track open items, and ensure timely follow-up actions to completion, supporting the Program Design Manager.

• Contribute to client interactions, design reviews, coordination meetings, and planning workshops, enhancing program strategy and execution.

📝 Enhancement Note: While this role is titled "Associate Program Design Manager," its responsibilities heavily align with GTM (Go-To-Market) and operational enablement functions. It bridges the gap between customer requirements, product/program design, and the execution teams (engineering, manufacturing, construction). The focus on documentation, stakeholder coordination, process adherence, and driving projects to completion is core to operations roles.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Support cross-functional teams from program/project pursuit through design completion and transition to execution.

• Assist the Program Design Manager in coordinating design-phase stakeholders, including clients, consultants, and internal teams, while maintaining design schedules and deliverables.

• Aid in the development of design solutions from concept through detailed engineering documentation, ensuring alignment with customer requirements.

• Document lessons learned, reusable design strategies, and continuous improvement opportunities to support standardization and product evolution across programs.

• Coordinate design activities across engineering, BIM, manufacturing, and operations teams under the direction of the Program Design Manager.

• Partner with estimating, procurement, and engineering teams to gather information on cost impacts, design alternatives, and value engineering opportunities.

• Assist with team budget tracking, estimate support, and cost-impact documentation.

• Track design progress, design changes, open items, action items, and risks throughout the program lifecycle.

• Maintain Program Requirements Documentation, serving as the single Source-of-Truth (SoT) for program/product design requirements, assumptions, constraints, decisions, and open items.

• Support alignment between design intent, manufacturing capabilities, and constructability.

• Assist with the transition from design into program execution by organizing documentation and coordinating handoff activities.

• Perform other related duties as required and assigned.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities emphasize project lifecycle management, documentation, cross-functional coordination, and support for strategic decision-making (value engineering, cost impact). This is indicative of a role deeply involved in operational efficiency and process adherence, crucial for successful program delivery.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

• High school diploma or GED equivalent PLUS 8+ years of experience in engineering, preconstruction, manufacturing, construction, project management, or related technical fields.

OR

• Bachelor's Degree in Engineering, Construction Management, Industrial Technology, Architecture, Project Management, or a related field PLUS 4+ years of experience in engineering, preconstruction, manufacturing, construction, project management, or related technical fields. Experience:

• Demonstrated experience supporting multidisciplinary engineering, manufacturing, construction, or project delivery teams.

• Familiarity with Engineered-to-Order (ETO) product design, Design-Build, Mission Critical, or integrated project delivery models is highly preferred.

• Proven ability to organize information, track action items, coordinate stakeholders, and support timely project decisions.

• Experience participating in project meetings, design reviews, coordination activities, or cross-functional project teams. Required Skills:

• Strong organizational and time management skills.

• Excellent written and verbal communication abilities for stakeholder coordination.

• Technical curiosity and a willingness to learn complex engineering, manufacturing, and construction processes.

• Ability to support the development and maintenance of detailed program documentation.

• Proficiency in tracking and managing project-related action items and risks.

• Aptitude for problem-solving and contributing to design solution development.

• Ability to work effectively in a cross-functional team environment. Preferred Skills:

• Experience with Building Information Modeling (BIM) processes and tools.

• Familiarity with project budgeting, cost impact analysis, and value engineering concepts.

• Knowledge of procurement and logistics coordination.

• Experience supporting client interactions and design review meetings.

• Understanding of compliance requirements related to codes and specifications.

📝 Enhancement Note: The experience requirements are structured to accommodate different educational backgrounds, emphasizing practical application and demonstrated ability in project coordination and technical fields. The "preferred skills" highlight areas where operations professionals often excel, such as process documentation, risk management, and cross-functional collaboration.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Showcase examples of program documentation, including requirements matrices, action item logs, or risk registers.

• Include case studies or project examples demonstrating your role in coordinating multidisciplinary teams and facilitating design handoffs.

• Present evidence of your ability to organize and track project-specific information, ensuring data integrity and accessibility.

• If possible, provide examples of contributions to value engineering, cost-impact analysis, or process improvement initiatives within a project context. Process Documentation:

• Demonstrate experience in maintaining a "Source-of-Truth" (SoT) for program requirements, assumptions, constraints, and decisions.

• Illustrate your approach to documenting lessons learned, reusable design strategies, and continuous improvement opportunities.

• Provide examples of how you have supported the transition from design to execution by organizing and communicating critical project information.

📝 Enhancement Note: For an Associate Program Design Manager role, a portfolio should highlight organizational capabilities, documentation management, and cross-functional support. The emphasis is on structured information management and contributing to process efficiency, rather than solely on individual technical design.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

Based on industry benchmarks for Associate Program Design Managers with 4-8+ years of experience in the Little Chute/Appleton, WI area, a competitive salary range would be estimated between $65,000 and $85,000 annually. This estimate considers the mid-level nature of the role, the blend of technical and coordination responsibilities, and the cost of living in the region.

Benefits:

• Industry-leading benefits package as an investment in team members and their families.

• Career development programs designed to help you achieve your career goals within Faith Technologies.

• Continued education programs to support professional growth and skill enhancement.

• Merit-based compensation, recognizing and rewarding top performers.

• Flexible benefits package tailored to meet diverse needs.

• Health, dental, and vision insurance (assumed standard).

• Paid time off and holidays (assumed standard).

• Retirement savings plan (e.g., 401k) with potential company match (assumed standard). Working Hours:

• Typical work hours are between 7:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Monday – Friday.

• Work may be performed at any time on any day of the week to meet business needs, indicating a degree of flexibility required for program demands.

• Travel: 10-30% is expected.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range is an estimate based on general industry data for similar roles in the specified region. Actual compensation will depend on the candidate's specific qualifications, experience, and the company's compensation structure. The provided benefits are directly from the job description and highlight Faith Technologies' commitment to employee well-being and growth.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Construction, Engineering, Manufacturing, and Renewable Energy. Faith Technologies is positioned at the forefront of how energy is designed, applied, and consumed.

Company Size: Faith Technologies is a significant player in its industries, indicated by the "100 Healthiest Workplaces in America" recognition and the breadth of its operations. While an exact size isn't provided, it suggests a well-established organization with substantial resources and a structured approach to employee well-being and development.

Founded: The founding date is not specified, but the company's established presence and "Culture of Care" suggest a history of thoughtful growth and investment in its people.

Team Structure:

• The Associate Program Design Manager reports to the Program Design Manager, indicating a clear hierarchy within the program design function.

• This role requires significant interaction and collaboration with cross-functional teams, including engineering, BIM, manufacturing, procurement, logistics, construction, and project delivery.

• The structure emphasizes a collaborative approach to program development, moving from concept and design through to execution. Methodology:

• The company emphasizes a "Culture of Care," focusing on the mind, body, and soul of its team members.

• They operate on a "merit to the core" principle, recognizing and rewarding top performers.

• Program development appears to follow an integrated approach, aligning design intent with manufacturing capabilities and constructability.

• A strong emphasis is placed on documentation, standardization, and continuous improvement through lessons learned.

Company Website: https://www.faithtechinc.com/

📝 Enhancement Note: Faith Technologies presents itself as a company that values employee well-being, performance, and professional growth, which is a strong indicator for operations professionals seeking a supportive and challenging work environment. The blend of industries they operate in suggests a dynamic and complex operational landscape.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is positioned as an "Associate" level, indicating a strong emphasis on learning and development. It's a stepping stone for individuals looking to grow into more senior program management or design leadership roles within the operations and project delivery spectrum. The role requires supporting complex programs but not necessarily leading them independently from day one.

Reporting Structure: The Associate Program Design Manager reports directly to the Program Design Manager. This provides a clear line of mentorship and oversight, crucial for skill development in program design and management.

Operations Impact: This role has a significant indirect impact on operational efficiency and revenue. By supporting the accurate and timely development of program designs, the Associate Program Design Manager helps ensure that projects are executable, cost-effective, and meet client requirements. This minimizes costly rework, delays, and scope creep, directly contributing to project profitability and client satisfaction, which are key drivers of revenue and repeat business.

Growth Opportunities:

• Program Design Specialization: Deepen expertise in ETO, Design-Build, or Mission Critical project models, becoming a subject matter expert.

• Project Management Advancement: Progress to a full Program Design Manager role, taking ownership of larger and more complex programs, and potentially leading teams.

• Cross-Functional Leadership: Transition into roles within engineering, operations, or project execution teams where program design insights are critical.

• Continuous Learning: Leverage company-provided career development and continued education programs to acquire new skills and certifications relevant to project management, engineering, or operations.

• Mentorship: Benefit from guidance from experienced Program Design Managers and other senior leaders within Faith Technologies.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Associate" title signifies a clear growth path. Candidates should view this role as an opportunity to build a strong foundation in program lifecycle management, cross-functional collaboration, and operational execution within a structured development framework.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The role is on-site, implying a traditional office environment where collaboration and direct communication are prioritized. This setting is conducive to the hands-on coordination and documentation required for program design.

Office Location(s): Little Chute, Wisconsin, with Appleton, WI also being a consideration. These locations are in the Fox Valley region of Wisconsin, suggesting a community-oriented work environment.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Environment: The on-site nature and emphasis on cross-functional teams suggest an environment where regular face-to-face interaction, team meetings, and brainstorming sessions are common. This is beneficial for complex problem-solving and design reviews.

• Operations Tools & Technology: While specific tools aren't listed, the mention of BIM, engineering documentation, and program management implies access to standard office software, project management platforms, and potentially specialized design/engineering software.

• Team Interaction: Opportunities for direct interaction with engineers, project managers, estimators, and procurement specialists are abundant, fostering a rich learning and collaboration experience.

Work Schedule:

• Standard business hours are expected, with flexibility to accommodate project deadlines and business needs. This suggests that while a 9-5 structure is typical, occasional extended hours or weekend work might be required to meet critical program milestones.

📝 Enhancement Note: The on-site requirement and the company's focus on well-being (Healthiest Workplaces) suggest a structured yet supportive office environment. Operations professionals often thrive in such settings where clear processes, direct communication, and team synergy are key to project success.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: Likely a review of your resume and application to assess basic qualifications, experience, and alignment with the role's educational requirements.

• Hiring Manager Interview: A discussion focused on your experience in engineering, construction, project management, and your understanding of program lifecycle support. Expect questions about your organizational skills, ability to track action items, and experience with cross-functional teams.

• Technical/Case Study Interview: This may involve a practical exercise or case study related to program design challenges, documentation management, or stakeholder coordination. You might be asked to walk through a past project or propose solutions to a hypothetical scenario.

• Team/Culture Fit Interview: An opportunity to meet potential colleagues and assess cultural alignment. Questions will likely focus on your collaboration style, problem-solving approach, and how you handle challenges within a team.

• Final Interview: Potentially with a senior leader, focusing on your career aspirations and long-term potential within Faith Technologies.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Structure Your Narrative: For any project examples, clearly articulate the challenge, your role, the actions you took (especially regarding organization, documentation, and coordination), and the outcome or impact.

• Highlight Process & Documentation: Emphasize your experience with maintaining documentation (SoT, action logs, risk registers) and supporting process improvements. Quantify where possible (e.g., "reduced RFI turnaround time by X% by implementing a new tracking system").

• Showcase Collaboration: Provide examples of how you effectively communicated and collaborated with diverse teams (engineering, manufacturing, etc.) to achieve program goals.

• Tailor to Faith Technologies: Research Faith Technologies' projects and values. If you have experience in their core industries (construction, engineering, renewable energy, ETO, Design-Build), highlight it prominently.

Challenge Preparation:

• Scenario-Based Questions: Be prepared for questions like, "How would you handle conflicting priorities between engineering and manufacturing?" or "Describe a time you had to track down critical information from multiple stakeholders."

• Documentation Skills: Practice articulating your process for creating and maintaining project documentation.

• Problem-Solving: Think about how you would approach a situation where design requirements are unclear or timelines are at risk. Focus on your methodical approach to gathering information and proposing solutions.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on documentation, coordination, and supporting design transitions suggests that candidates with strong organizational skills and a methodical approach to problem-solving will perform well in the interview process. A portfolio that demonstrates these capabilities will be highly advantageous.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Project Management Software: Likely tools such as Microsoft Project, Asana, Monday.com, or similar for tracking schedules, tasks, and dependencies.

• BIM Software: Familiarity with Building Information Modeling tools like Autodesk Revit or Navisworks is a plus, given the mention of BIM coordination.

• Documentation & Collaboration Platforms: Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint), Google Workspace, SharePoint, or similar for document creation, data analysis, and team collaboration.

• Communication Tools: Microsoft Teams, Slack, or similar for daily team interactions and coordination.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Spreadsheet Software: Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel or Google Sheets for data analysis, budget tracking, and generating reports on program progress, risks, and cost impacts.

• Reporting Tools: Experience with creating dashboards or reports to visualize project status, track key performance indicators (KPIs), and communicate findings to stakeholders.

CRM & Automation:

• While not explicitly mentioned as primary for this role, familiarity with CRM systems (like Salesforce) might be beneficial if the role intersects with client management or sales support aspects of program pursuit.

• Automation tools are not specified, but an understanding of how processes can be streamlined through technology would be valuable.

📝 Enhancement Note: While specific tools are not listed, the nature of the role implies a need for proficiency in standard project management, documentation, and collaboration software. Candidates with experience in industries that heavily utilize BIM and ETO processes will have an advantage.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Care and Well-being: Faith Technologies promotes a "Culture of Care," emphasizing the mental, physical, and spiritual well-being of its employees. This translates to a supportive work environment where employees are valued as individuals.

• Meritocracy: The company operates on a "merit to the core" principle, meaning performance and results are highly valued and rewarded. This fosters a results-driven atmosphere where hard work and achievement are recognized.

• Continuous Improvement: The role's responsibilities include documenting lessons learned and identifying improvement opportunities, indicating a company value placed on learning and evolving processes.

• Collaboration and Integration: The need to support cross-functional teams highlights the importance of teamwork, communication, and a unified approach to achieving program objectives.

• Customer Focus: Supporting client interactions and ensuring designs meet customer requirements underscores a commitment to client satisfaction.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-Functional Integration: The role requires extensive collaboration across diverse departments (engineering, manufacturing, procurement, construction), necessitating strong communication and relationship-building skills.

• Process-Oriented: The emphasis on documentation, tracking, and handoffs suggests a structured approach to collaboration, where clear processes and defined roles are crucial for efficiency.

• Feedback Exchange: The continuous improvement aspect implies an open culture where feedback on designs, processes, and project execution is encouraged and acted upon.

• Knowledge Sharing: Documenting lessons learned and reusable strategies points to a culture that values sharing knowledge to benefit future projects and the organization as a whole.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Culture of Care" combined with a merit-based system suggests a balanced environment: supportive and focused on employee well-being, yet demanding of high performance and results. This is attractive to operations professionals who value both personal growth and impactful contributions.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Navigating Complexity: Managing diverse stakeholder needs and technical requirements across multiple disciplines (engineering, manufacturing, construction) can be challenging.

• Information Synthesis: Consolidating and maintaining a single "Source-of-Truth" from various inputs requires meticulous attention to detail and strong organizational skills.

• Balancing Priorities: Supporting multiple programs or project phases simultaneously, each with its own deadlines and constraints, demands effective prioritization and time management.

• Bridging Design and Execution: Ensuring that design intent is accurately translated into manufacturable and constructible solutions requires clear communication and understanding of downstream processes.

• Continuous Learning Curve: Adapting to new technologies, project methodologies (like ETO or Design-Build), and company-specific processes will be an ongoing requirement.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Operations Skill Advancement: Gain hands-on experience in program management, documentation, cross-functional coordination, and process optimization within a large-scale industrial context.

• Industry Specialization: Develop deep expertise in Faith Technologies' core sectors, such as renewable energy, mission-critical facilities, or engineered-to-order systems.

• Mentorship & Leadership Development: Work closely with experienced Program Design Managers and learn leadership best practices for managing complex projects and teams.

• Formal Training: Leverage company-provided career development and continued education programs for formal training in project management, engineering principles, or relevant software.

• Exposure to Diverse Projects: Work on a variety of programs, offering exposure to different challenges and solutions, which builds a robust professional toolkit.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role presents a significant opportunity for professional development, particularly for individuals looking to build a career in operations management, program execution, or project delivery within complex industrial environments. The challenges are framed as opportunities for skill enhancement.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• Process & Documentation: "Describe your process for creating and maintaining a 'Source-of-Truth' document for a complex project. What specific information would you include, and how would you ensure its accuracy and accessibility?" (Focus on structured documentation, data integrity, and stakeholder access.)

• Collaboration & Stakeholder Management: "Imagine engineering and manufacturing have conflicting requirements for a program component. How would you facilitate a discussion to resolve this, and what role would you play in documenting the decision?" (Highlight your mediation, communication, and documentation skills.)

• Problem-Solving & Design Support: "Walk me through a time you supported the development of a design solution. What was your contribution, and how did you ensure it aligned with project constraints and execution capabilities?" (Use a STAR method example focusing on your support role, organizational efforts, and problem-solving.)

Company & Culture Questions:

• Culture of Care: "How do you prioritize your well-being and manage stress in a demanding work environment?" or "How do you contribute to a positive and supportive team atmosphere?" (Connect your approach to the company's values.)

• Merit & Performance: "Describe a time you went above and beyond to achieve a project goal or deliver exceptional results." (Showcase your drive and commitment.)

• Operations Impact: "How do you see your role as an Associate Program Design Manager contributing to the overall success and profitability of Faith Technologies' projects?" (Focus on efficiency, risk mitigation, and client satisfaction.)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• The "Why, What, How, and So What": For each portfolio