The Program Manager is responsible for the successful delivery of complex, safety-critical aviation and defense programs, with a primary focus on contracts supporting the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and related government agencies. This role owns full lifecycle program execution from capture and proposal development through system delivery, certification and final customer acceptance.
The Program Manager is accountable for program performance across scope, schedule, cost, compliance and risk ensuring all deliverables meet stringent regulatory, safety and contractual requirements. This individual serves as the primary interface with government stakeholders and leads cross-functional teams in a highly regulated, mission-critical environment.
Key Responsibilities
1. Program Leadership
Lead proposal development for FAA and defense-related RFPs/RFQs in compliance with Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR/DFARS)
Identify, vet and negotiate with subcontractors in accordance with federal procurement standards
Ensure proposals align with technical, regulatory and certification requirements (e.g., air traffic management systems, communications, surveillance or navigation systems)
Develop compliant and competitive program plans including Statements of Work (SOW), Work Breakdown Structures (WBS), Integrated Master Schedules (IMS), Basis of Estimates (BOE) and resource plans
Conduct risk and opportunity analyses
2. Program Execution & Delivery
Lead end-to-end execution of FAA and defense programs, ensuring adherence to contractual, technical and regulatory requirements
Establish and maintain program governance, including milestone reviews (SRR, PDR, CDR, TRR, etc.)
Manage Integrated Master Schedule (IMS) and ensure alignment across engineering, manufacturing and other stakeholders
Direct cross-functional teams delivering safety-critical systems, including hardware, software and integrated solutions
Oversee subcontractor performance, ensuring compliance with cost, schedule, quality and federal requirements
Manage installation, integration, test and commissioning activities at customer sites, including coordination with FAA facilities
Drive program closeout, including documentation, certification support and final government acceptance
3. Regulatory Compliance & Certification
Ensure compliance with FAA regulatory frameworks and applicable standards
Support system certification and approval processes, including documentation, testing and validation activities
Ensure adherence to applicable standards
Maintain audit readiness for government reviews and regulatory inspections
Ensure compliance with export controls (ITAR/EAR) and security requirements
4. Risk, Change & Performance Management
Establish and maintain a formal risk and opportunity management process, including risk registers and mitigation plans
Lead change control processes in alignment with contractual requirements, including engineering change proposals (ECPs)
Monitor program performance using KPIs and Earned Value Management (EVM) as required
Identify and resolve program issues proactively, including escalation to leadership and government stakeholders
5. Financial Management
Own program financial performance, including revenue, margin and cash flow
Develop and manage program budgets, forecasts and Estimates at Completion (EAC)
Perform variance analysis (cost and schedule) and implement corrective actions
Ensure compliance with government cost accounting standards and contractual financial requirements
Approve and manage subcontractor and vendor expenditures
6. Customer & Stakeholder Engagement
Serve as the primary interface with FAA program offices, contracting officers and technical representatives
Lead program reviews, including Program Management Reviews (PMR) and customer status briefings
Build strong relationships with government stakeholders, ensuring transparency and trust
Align internal stakeholders and resolve cross-functional challenges to maintain program execution
7. Leadership & Team Management
Lead and influence cross-functional, matrixed teams across engineering, manufacturing, supply chain, quality and field services
Drive accountability, performance and collaboration across all program stakeholders
Mentor and develop team members, fostering a culture of excellence, compliance and continuous improvement
Required Qualifications
7–12+ years of experience managing complex aerospace, aviation or defense programs
Proficient in MS Office, including Project or other schedule software
Demonstrated experience delivering programs for U.S. government customers, preferably the FAA or Department of Defense
Strong knowledge of federal contracting frameworks, including FAR/DFARS
Experience with safety-critical systems and regulated environments
Proven expertise in risk management, change control and program governance
Strong financial acumen, including budgeting, forecasting and Earned Value (EV)
Experience leading cross-functional, matrixed teams in a technical environment
Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills, including experience interfacing with government customers
Preferred Qualifications
Experience working directly with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), particularly in Air Traffic Control or National Airspace System (NAS) programs
Familiarity with RTCA standards (DO-178C, DO-254) and FAA certification processes
PMP (Project Management Professional) certification
Master’s degree in engineering, Systems Engineering, Business or related field
Experience with ERP systems and program analytics tools
Active or prior U.S. security clearance
Additional Requirements
Ability to travel international and domestic up to 25%
U.S. citizenship or US Permanent Residency is required
Requirements listed are representative of the general knowledge, skill and/or ability
This role may be authorized to access Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) as required to perform assigned duties related to defense contract work. Any access to CUI will be granted according to the principle of least privilege and limited to the specific responsibilities, duties, and business need of the role.
