Program Manager

Program ManagerThe Program Manager 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 Responsibilities1. Program LeadershipLead 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 standardsEnsure 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 plansConduct risk and opportunity analyses2. Program Execution & DeliveryLead end-to-end execution of FAA and defense programs, ensuring adherence to contractual, technical and regulatory requirementsEstablish 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 stakeholdersDirect cross-functional teams delivering safety-critical systems, including hardware, software and integrated solutionsOversee subcontractor performance, ensuring compliance with cost, schedule, quality and federal requirementsManage installation, integration, test and commissioning activities at customer sites, including coordination with FAA facilitiesDrive program closeout, including documentation, certification support and final government acceptance3. Regulatory Compliance & CertificationEnsure compliance with FAA regulatory frameworks and applicable standardsSupport system certification and approval processes, including documentation, testing and validation activitiesEnsure adherence to applicable standardsMaintain audit readiness for government reviews and regulatory inspectionsEnsure compliance with export controls (ITAR/EAR) and security requirements4. Risk, Change & Performance ManagementEstablish and maintain a formal risk and opportunity management process, including risk registers and mitigation plansLead change control processes in alignment with contractual requirements, including engineering change proposals (ECPs)Monitor program performance using KPIs and Earned Value Management (EVM) as requiredIdentify and resolve program issues proactively, including escalation to leadership and government stakeholders5. Financial ManagementOwn program financial performance, including revenue, margin and cash flowDevelop and manage program budgets, forecasts and Estimates at Completion (EAC)Perform variance analysis (cost and schedule) and implement corrective actionsEnsure compliance with government cost accounting standards and contractual financial requirementsApprove and manage subcontractor and vendor expenditures6. Customer & Stakeholder EngagementServe as the primary interface with FAA program offices, contracting officers and technical representativesLead program reviews, including Program Management Reviews (PMR) and customer status briefingsBuild strong relationships with government stakeholders, ensuring transparency and trustAlign internal stakeholders and resolve cross-functional challenges to maintain program execution7. Leadership & Team ManagementLead and influence cross-functional, matrixed teams across engineering, manufacturing, supply chain, quality and field servicesDrive accountability, performance and collaboration across all program stakeholdersMentor and develop team members, fostering a culture of excellence, compliance and continuous improvementRequired Qualifications7–12+ years of experience managing complex aerospace, aviation or defense programsProficient in MS Office, including Project or other schedule softwareDemonstrated experience delivering programs for U.S. government customers, preferably the FAA or Department of DefenseStrong knowledge of federal contracting frameworks, including FAR/DFARSExperience with safety-critical systems and regulated environmentsProven expertise in risk management, change control and program governanceStrong financial acumen, including budgeting, forecasting and Earned Value (EV)Experience leading cross-functional, matrixed teams in a technical environmentExcellent communication and stakeholder management skills, including experience interfacing with government customersPreferred QualificationsExperience working directly with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), particularly in Air Traffic Control or National Airspace System (NAS) programsFamiliarity with RTCA standards (DO-178C, DO-254) and FAA certification processesPMP (Project Management Professional) certificationMaster's degree in engineering, Systems Engineering, Business or related fieldExperience with ERP systems and program analytics toolsActive or prior U.S. security clearanceAdditional RequirementsAbility to travel international and domestic up to 25%U.S. citizenship or US Permanent Residency is requiredRequirements listed are representative of the general knowledge, skill and/or abilityThis role may be authorized to access Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) as required to perform assigned duties related to defense contract work. Any access to CUI will be granted according to the principle of least privilege and limited to the specific responsibilities, duties, and business need of the role.Indra is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, or veteran status. Indra participates in eVerify.