Program Manager – Military & Defense Avionics
Location: Irving, TX
Travel: Up to 5-15% Travel
Industry: Aerospace & Defense
Salary: $130,000
Position Overview
We are currently seeking an experienced
Program Manager – Military & Defense Avionics for one of our
leading aerospace and defense clients. This is an exciting opportunity to lead complex avionics development programs supporting next-generation military aircraft and defense technologies while collaborating with multidisciplinary engineering teams throughout the product development lifecycle.
Primary Responsibilities
- Lead military and defense avionics development programs from kickoff through delivery.
- Manage cross-functional Integrated Product Teams (IPTs) consisting of systems, software, hardware, mechanical, manufacturing, quality, and supply chain personnel.
- Develop and maintain project schedules, budgets, risk registers, work breakdown structures, and program management plans.
- Track program performance, resource utilization, milestones, and deliverables.
- Manage customer relationships and serve as the primary point of contact throughout program execution.
- Coordinate engineering certification efforts for avionics hardware and software.
- Oversee environmental qualification, testing, and compliance activities.
- Support proposal development, contract modifications, and change management.
- Monitor program risks and implement mitigation strategies.
- Ensure compliance with applicable aerospace, defense, quality, cybersecurity, export control, and contractual requirements.
- Prepare executive-level status reports and communicate program performance to leadership.
- Drive continuous improvement while maintaining schedule, quality, and customer satisfaction.
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Business, or a related technical discipline.
- Minimum of 7 years of program or project management experience in aerospace, avionics, or defense product development.
- At least 3 years supporting military or defense programs.
- Strong understanding of:
- DO-178C
- DO-254
- DO-160
- MIL-STD-810
- MIL-STD-461
- MIL-STD-882
- FAR/DFARS requirements
- Experience managing budgets, schedules, risks, and cross-functional engineering teams.
- Knowledge of Earned Value Management (EVM) principles.
- Strong leadership, communication, negotiation, and organizational skills.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office and Microsoft Project
Preferred Qualifications
- PMP (Project Management Professional) certification.
- Master's degree in Engineering, Engineering Management, or Business Administration.
- Experience with AS9100 quality systems.
- Familiarity with CMMC, NIST SP 800-171, ITAR, and Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI).
- Experience supporting DoD customers, prime contractors, or military acquisition programs.
- Knowledge of aircraft systems supporting fixed-wing, rotary-wing, or unmanned platforms.
Additional Requirements
- Must qualify as a U.S. Person under ITAR regulations.
- Ability to obtain authorization to handle Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI).
- Ability to travel approximately 5–15% as required.
- Must successfully complete applicable background screening.
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