AETC Operations - Sr. Program Manager

Position Overview
We are seeking an experienced Senior Energetic Program Manager to lead complex customer support activates, business, development, high-speed aerospace and engineering programs from concept through execution (“cradle to grave”). This role requires deep technical expertise, strong leadership of cross-functional teams, and the ability to manage large-scale programs involving advanced systems, safety-critical hardware, and government stakeholders. You’ll work closely with engineers and business development to build scalable solutions, partner with support teams to turn customer insights into improvements, products, and collaborate with business development to align on growth initiatives and strategic partnerships.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end program management across multiple aerospace and engineering initiatives, including system design, development, testing, and deployment

• Direct and coordinate cross-functional, multidisciplinary teams (engineering, quality, safety, procurement, and contracts) to achieve program objectives

• Collaborate with engineers to deliver high-impact, scalable solutions

• Partner with customer support to surface insights, trends, and improvement opportunities

• Align stakeholders on goals, timelines, and deliverables

• Proactively identify risks, dependencies, and process gaps—and resolve them

• Advocate for customer-centric thinking in product and technical decision

• Define program scope, technical requirements, deliverables, and success metrics aligned with customer and organizational goals

• Oversee requirements development, verification and validation (V&V), and systems integration across subsystems. 

• Manage program risks, safety compliance, and mission assurance for hazardous and safety-critical systems

• Develop and maintain program plans, schedules, budgets, and resource allocations (FTEs/EPs)

• Interface with government agencies, customers, and regulatory bodies (e.g., FAA, DoD, NASA) to ensure compliance and approvals

• Drive creation of technical documentation including Statements of Work (SOW),

• Provide regular executive-level reporting on program performance, risks, milestones, and financials
• Lead process improvements and establish engineering and program management best practices across organizations

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or related technical field
• 15+ years of experience in program management, systems engineering, or technical leadership within aerospace, defense, or high-reliability industries
• Proven experience managing complex, safety-critical systems and hardware programs
• Strong background in systems engineering processes, including requirements management, MBSE, and V&V
• Experience with government programs, regulatory compliance, and contract management (FAR, ITAR)
• Demonstrated leadership of large, multidisciplinary teams and resource planning
• Experience with risk management, safety and mission assurance (S&MA), and quality systems

Preferred Qualifications

• Background in explosives, pyrotechnics, ordnance, or hazardous systems engineering

• PMP, PgMP, or equivalent program management certification

• Familiarity with tools such as MATLAB, LabVIEW, CAD platforms (Solidworks), and Microsoft Project

Key Skills

• Strategic program leadership and execution
• Cross-functional team leadership and stakeholder management
• Risk identification, mitigation, and safety oversight
• Technical decision-making in high-consequence environments
• Contract negotiation and procurement management
• Excellent communication and executive reporting skills