Jake Klahs
Aerospace & Defense Program Manager
Fort Worth,TX
Summary
High energy leader with nine years of professional experience in program/project management, change management, engineering, manufacturing, strategic planning, and operational excellence. Thrives in a collaborative, fast-paced work environment. Subject matter expert in leading cross-functional teams to solve exceptionally complex challenges. Engaging and versatile results-driven leader focused on driving value for customers and stakeholders. Demonstrated results as a strategic thought partner for executives with expertise in effectively administrating large and diverse programs as well as direct leadership of employees.
Overview
10
10
years of professional experience
5
5
years of post-secondary education
2
2
Certifications
Work History
Program Mgt Manager, F-35 Production Programs
Lockheed Martin Aeronautics
08.2023 - Current
- Special Projects Leader to Production Execution Director leading cross-functional teams to solve complex challenges for Air Vehicle portfolio valued in excess of $80B with one direct report
- Provided Program Management support to Flightline to develop and successfully execute TR-3 Unwind plan delivering more than 275 F-35 aircraft in 18 months setting all-time-record delivery performance
- Program Manager with quality, cost, schedule, technical, and customer responsibility for Product Support contracts worth $20M annually
- Led program team to exceed Long Range Plan (LRP) performance commitments by 3% or more for three consecutive years while simultaneously achieving highest customer satisfaction rating in contract history
- Captured new business via 5 proposals worth more than $25M annually
Lead Action Officer, F-35 Production Operations
Lockheed Martin Aeronautics
05.2021 - 08.2023
- Chief of Staff to F-35 Production Operations Vice President leading 4,000+ employees across three sites with responsibility for delivery of 150+ fighter aircraft to US DoD and FMS customers
- Lead Risk & Opportunity manager for F-35 Operations Management, support primary F-35 OBS manager for overall budget accountability in excess of $1B
Action Officer
Lockheed Martin Aeronautics
04.2019 - 05.2021
- Chief of Staff to F-35 Wing Systems Production Operations Director, lead diverse 500+ employee organization including 60+ leaders
- Cross-functional project leader for complex business-critical special projects coordinating initiatives across design, manufacturing, supply chain, and sustainment related to risk & opportunity management, RCCA, and EV performance in the Production environment
Operations Engineer
Lockheed Martin Aeronautics
02.2018 - 04.2019
- Built financial business cases for change and execution schedules for major and minor Affordability projects and presented benefits to JPO for execution approval to reduce Unit Recurring Flyaway cost, generally managing in excess of 60 separate projects simultaneously
- Managed cost, schedule, and technical performance for multi-million dollar Technology Insertion initiatives to integrate robotics into F-35 Manufacturing System
Operations Engineer Asc
Lockheed Martin Aeronautics
10.2017 - 02.2018
- Built financial business cases for change and execution schedules for major and minor Affordability projects and presented benefits to JPO for execution approval to reduce Unit Recurring Flyaway labor cost, generally executing up to 30 separate projects simultaneously
Multifunctional Manufacturing Supervisor
Gatorade
06.2016 - 10.2017
- Led 100+ union-represented production operators, multi-craft mechanics, and electricians over 3 shifts to achieve collective safety, quality assurance and quality control, line performance, training, process improvement, data quality, and accountability goals.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Industrial & Systems Engineering
Texas A&M University
College Station, TX 08.2011 - 05.2016
Skills
Project Management
Operations Management
Earned Value Management
Strategic Planning
Certification
Earned Value Management
Timeline
Program Mgt Manager, F-35 Production Programs
Lockheed Martin Aeronautics
08.2023 - Current
Lead Action Officer, F-35 Production Operations
Lockheed Martin Aeronautics
05.2021 - 08.2023
Earned Value Management
04-2020
Action Officer
Lockheed Martin Aeronautics
04.2019 - 05.2021
Operations Engineer
Lockheed Martin Aeronautics
02.2018 - 04.2019
Operations Engineer Asc
Lockheed Martin Aeronautics
10.2017 - 02.2018
Active Secret Security Clearance
10-2017
Multifunctional Manufacturing Supervisor
Gatorade
06.2016 - 10.2017
Bachelor of Science - Industrial & Systems Engineering
Texas A&M University
08.2011 - 05.2016