The Role
Responsible for managing and executing key technical programs for developing and deploying autonomous aircraft, ensuring quality and alignment with strategic goals.
Summary Generated by Built In
At Skyways, we are building the future of air transportation with fully autonomous unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). Backed by significant funding, including a $37M STRATFI contract from the U.S. Air Force, we operate at the intersection of commercial and defense markets. We have designed, built, and flown aircraft with real customers and government partners, and are now entering the next phase of the company: scaling toward production.
Based in Austin, TX and supported by top investors including Y Combinator, Skyways blends rapid iteration with real world deployment. We design, test, and operate our systems in the field, then bring those learnings directly back into engineering and product decisions. As we grow, we are looking for builders and leaders who want real ownership, technical depth, and the opportunity to help take an aircraft from successful deployments to full production.
The Opportunity
Skyways is expanding, and we're looking for our first Technical Program Manager. This is a crucial role responsible for diligently managing and driving the execution of important programs vital to the development and deployment of Skyways' autonomous aircraft. This role ensures programs meet strategic goals, timelines, and quality standards. This position provides dedicated, expert-level program leadership, coordination across different teams, and strong risk management for our rapidly growing portfolio of projects.
Location: Austin in office
What You'll Do:
- Drive daily program execution
- Build and maintain strong customer relationships, including regular on-site visits and travel to customer locations for reviews, launches, and key milestones
- Focus on understanding customer needs, prioritizing them, and ensuring they’re met.
- Manage contracts, schedules, and resources, including contract writing (proposals), negotiations, and compliance.
- Lead program reviews and clearly communicate and report on status, risks, and changes.
- Coordinate across engineering, manufacturing, operations, and marketing.
- Ensure deliverables meet commitments and quality standards.
What You'll Bring:
- 10+ years managing complex technical programs (aerospace, robotics, defense preferred)
- Customer-facing experience with both technical and contractual oversight
- Strong organizational skills and attention to detail
- Ability to lead without direct authority and work across teams
- Proficiency with program management tools (Asana, G Suite, or similar)
Bonus Points If You Have:
- Autonomous systems, aviation, or defense background
- FAA/DoD certification knowledge
- Startup or early-stage program experience
- PMP or equivalent certification
Want to join our mission? Apply to learn more!
Due to U.S. government contract requirements, this role is limited to U.S. citizens, U.S. permanent residents, or candidates from specific countries authorized under applicable export control regulations.
Skyways is an Equal Opportunity employer committed to diversity in the workplace. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, protected veteran status or any other factor protected by applicable local, state or federal laws.
Top Skills
Asana
Google Suite
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The Company
What We Do
We are creating a new form of transportation to advance the future of our civilization.
Our story starts with fully autonomous, unmanned aerial vehicles with vertical take-off and landing capability and used for cargo transportation.
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