Program Manager, Valiant UAS

Job Description

Job Description

Who We AreGriffon Aerospace designs, builds, and flies unmanned aerial systems that perform. We are a small, focused team of engineers and operators who care firstly about mission success before satisfying any other "metrics." We don't hand work off and walk away. We own it. Our culture is defined by technical rigor, relentless follow-through, and a refusal to accept "good enough" when our customers' missions are on the line. The Valiant UAS program is one of our premier product lines, and we need a Program Manager who treats it that way. We need a candidate who can manage schedule, technical risk, and customer relationships in parallel.The RoleAs the Program Manager for the Valiant UAS portfolio, you are the single accountable leader for everything that touches this program: budget, schedule, technical performance, customer satisfaction, and team execution. You are not a coordinator or a facilitator. You are the owner. This is a hands-on role. You will be on the flight line when things are getting sorted out. You will be in the lab when the engineering teams need to make critical decisions. You will be on the phone when a customer faces challenges, and you will already have a recovery plan ready to make them whole and confident in our commitments to their success. You will lead cross-functional teams of engineers, technicians, and support staff, and you will set the standard for what ownership looks like every single day.What You'll OwnProgram ExecutionFull concept-to-lifecycle responsibility for the Valiant UAS portfolio across all active contracts and development effortsDevelop, maintain, and actively manage integrated master schedules (IMS) with real milestones to minimize dependence on purely success-based goalsDrive cost, schedule, and technical performance to plan; identify and burn down risk before they can be realizedLead monthly program reviews, CDRs, PDRs, and customer milestone eventsOwn the financial baseline and variance analysis to mitigate surprises to leadership or the customerTechnical ResponsibilityFacilitate technical decision making across the program; understand the system deeply enough to challenge assumptions and make informed tradesPartner with Engineering, Flight Test, and Manufacturing to ensure technical requirements are achievable, tested, and deliveredFacilitate rapid decision-making when design, test, or fielding issues ariseEngage directly in failure investigations, root cause analyses, and corrective action follow-throughCustomer & Stakeholder ManagementBe the primary interface to Government program offices, prime contractors, and end usersCommunicate status, risks, and issues proactivelyIdentify and capture follow-on business, contract modifications, and program growth opportunitiesRepresent Griffon at industry events, customer visits, and proposal activities as requiredTeam & CultureBuild and lead a high-performing, low-ego team that runs toward problems, not away from themMentor junior program staff; establish practices and standards that outlast any single programEmbody and enforce Griffon's ownership culture: every team member knows their piece and is accountable for itWhat We're Looking ForRequiredBachelor 's degree in Engineering, Aerospace, Systems, or a closely related technical discipline7+ years of program management experience in defense aerospace, UAS, or adjacent fieldsDemonstrated track record managing DoD development or production programs from $5M to $50M+Hands-on experience with aircraft or UAS systemsStrong command of program management fundamentals: EVM, IMS, risk management, CDR/PDR processesActive Secret clearance (or ability to obtain)Comfortable traveling to customer sites, field operations, and test events up to 30%Strongly PreferredMaster's degree in Engineering or Business (MBA), or equivalent operational experienceDirect experience with Group 2–4 UAS programs in development, test, or productionFamiliarity with MIL-STD airworthiness, DO-178/DO-254, or UAS-specific certification pathwaysPMP, DAWIA, or equivalent program management certificationPrior military aviation or UAS operational backgroundActive Top-Secret clearanceWhat Griffon OffersCompetitive salary commensurate with experience and clearance levelComprehensive benefits: medical, dental, vision, 401(k) with company matchPaid time off and 10 paid holidaysRelocation assistance available for qualified candidatesA small company where your decisions matter and your fingerprints are on real hardware flying real missions Griffon Aerospace – Come Build the Unfair Advantage.