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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