Position Summary:
The Program Manager (PM) will be responsible for the execution, performance, and financial metrics of complex aerospace development and production programs. This individual will serve as the primary point of contact for external aerospace/defense customers, leading cross-functional teams (including Engineering, Supply Chain, Quality, and Operations) to deliver projects on time, within budget, and to specified technical requirements. The role requires rigorous adherence to aerospace standards (AS9100D), risk management protocols, and strict phase-gate review processes (PDR, CDR, TRR).
Key Responsibilities:
- Program Execution: Lead programs from contract award through design, qualification, production, and lifecycle support using structured Phase-Gate processes.
- Financial Management: Manage program Profit and Loss (P&L), establishing baselines and tracking performance using SAAZ financial tools.
- Customer Interface: Act as the primary liaison for customer interactions, delivering schedule updates, technical milestones, and leading regular Program Progress Reviews.
- Schedule & Baseline Tracking: Develop and maintain the Integrated Master Schedule (IMS) to ensure critical path milestones are met.
- Risk & Opportunity Management: Proactively identify, mitigate, and track program technical, schedule, and cost risks.
- Cross-Functional Leadership: Coordinate day-to-day activities across engineering, manufacturing, procurement, and quality assurance teams without direct reporting authority.
- Regulatory Compliance: Ensure all program activities comply with ITAR, EAR, FAR/DFARS clauses, and AS9100 quality standards.
Desired Qualifications:
- Education: BS in Engineering, Physics, Aerospace Technology, or a related technical discipline. MS or PhD degree or MBA is a plus.
- Experience: 10+ years of program management and project engineering experience within the aerospace, defense, or aviation industries.
- Technical Proficiency: Mastery of Microsoft Project or any equivalent scheduling software; solid understanding of aerospace manufacturing processes, engineering drawings, and configuration management.
- Soft Skills: Exceptional negotiation, conflict resolution, and communication skills suitable for technical briefings with executive leadership and military/astronomy/commercial customers.