The Program Manager (Automation) 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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Computer Science, Business, Program Management, or related discipline.
10+ years of experience managing complex aerospace, aviation, defense, or government technology programs.
Demonstrated success delivering large-scale, mission-critical programs for U.S. government customers.
Experience managing software-intensive systems, automation platforms, or complex system integration programs.
Experience developing and managing IMS, budgets, forecasts, risk management plans, and program execution strategies.
Strong knowledge of program management principles, change control, performance measurement, and financial management.
Experience leading cross-functional teams in highly technical environments.
Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills with executive and government customers.

Preferred Qualifications

Direct experience supporting FAA Air Traffic Management (ATM) or National Airspace System programs.
Experience with FAA automation systems such as ERAM, STARS, TFMS, or related modernization programs.
Experience with air traffic control automation, decision support systems, or mission-critical operational platforms.
Familiarity with FAA acquisition processes and government contracting.
Knowledge of aviation standards including DO-178C, DO-254, DO-278A, or related standards.
Experience with cybersecurity requirements for government systems.
PMP certification.
Master’s degree in Engineering, Systems Engineering, Business, or related field.
Experience with ERP systems, program analytics tools, and executive reporting dashboards.
Active or prior U.S. security clearance.
Additional Requirements
Ability to travel domestically and internationally up to 25%.
U.S. citizenship or U.S. permanent residency required.
Requirements listed are representative of the knowledge, skills, and abilities required to successfully perform this role.

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

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Program Manager - Automation