Program Manager (Defense & Aerospace)

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There has never been a better time to be at AECOM. With accelerating infrastructure investment worldwide, our services are in great demand. We invite you to bring your bold ideas and big dreams and become part of a global team of over 50,000 planners, designers, engineers, scientists, digital innovators, program and construction managers and other professionals delivering projects that create a positive and tangible impact around the world.

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Job Description

AECOM is seeking a Program Manager (Defense & Aerospace) to lead complex engineering, architecture, and infrastructure programs supporting Prime System Integrators (OEMs), federal defense agencies and aerospace clients. You will coordinate interdependent efforts involving planning, design, construction, modernization, testing, integrations, sustainment and mission-support infrastructure. Working with client leadership, engineering teams, prime contractors, and OEM partners, you will turn strategic objectives into integrated execution plans with clear delivery milestones. This role offers the opportunity to guide defense, aerospace, space, missile, and national security programs where disciplined coordination, quality performance, and dependable delivery are central to success.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead program planning and execution for engineering, architecture, infrastructure modernization, mission-support facilities, and capital improvement programs.
• Coordinate dependencies across manufacturing engineering, operations, quality, supply chain, and equipment partners. 
• Establish program scope, budgets, resource plans, governance, and measurable cost, quality, and delivery objectives.
• Coordinate multidisciplinary engineering teams, OEMs, prime contractors, government stakeholders, architects, constructors, and specialty consultants.
• Manage program risks, configuration changes, constraints, and recovery actions affecting production objectives.
• Provide executive reporting on financial performance, schedule status, production risks, and decisions requiring leadership action.
• Guide project managers and technical leads while maintaining alignment with client commitments and contractual requirements.
• Lead program reviews and track design, construction, commissioning, testing, occupancy, and mission-readiness milestones.
• Experience supporting capture management, pursuit strategy, and proposal development efforts for engineering, architecture, construction, or federal services contracts.

Qualifications

Minimum Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Architecture, Construction Management, or a related discipline and 10+ years of program or project management experience supporting defense, aerospace, federal, architecture, engineering, infrastructure or other complex technical programs including 2 years of leadership or demonstrated equivalency of experience and education.
• Due to the nature of the work, US Citizenship is required.

Preferred

Qualifications

• 20+ years of program or project management experience leading defense, aerospace, space, missile, national security, or mission-critical infrastructure programs.
• Experience supporting Prime System Integrators (Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman, Boeing Defense, RTX, General Dynamics, L3Harris, BAE Systems, etc.) on engineering, architecture, facility, infrastructure, or mission-support programs. 
• Experience coordinating prime contractors, OEMs, and specialized suppliers on complex manufacturing programs.
• Experience supporting spacecraft, launch systems, missile systems, weapons integration, laboratories, secure facilities, test complexes, mission-critical infrastructure, or defense sustainment facilities. Project Management Professional (PMP) or Program Management Professional (PgMP) certification.
• Experience managing programs with defense acquisition requirements, mission assurance, risk management, configuration management, and executive-level contractual reporting requirements. 
• Experience leading large, geographically dispersed organizations and driving enterprise-level transformation initiatives.

Additional Information

At AECOM, we are committed to maintaining a secure and trustworthy recruitment process and take any fraudulent hiring activity seriously. To support this commitment, all newly hired employees are required to attend an in-person Day 1 onboarding at an AECOM office location as a condition of employment.

About AECOM  

AECOM is proud to offer comprehensive benefits to meet the diverse needs of our employees. Depending on your employment status, AECOM benefits may include medical, dental, vision, life, AD&D, disability benefits, paid time off, leaves of absences, voluntary benefits, perks, flexible work options ,  well-being resources, employee assistance program, business travel insurance, service recognition awards, retirement savings plan, and employee stock purchase plan. 

AECOM is the global infrastructure leader, committed to delivering a better world. As a trusted professional services firm powered by deep technical abilities, we solve our clients’ complex challenges in water, environment, energy, transportation and buildings. Our teams partner with public- and private-sector clients to create innovative, sustainable and resilient solutions throughout the project lifecycle – from advisory, planning, design and engineering to program and construction management. AECOM is a Fortune 500 firm that had revenue of $16.1 billion in fiscal year 2025. Learn more at aecom.com. 

What makes AECOM a great place to work  

You will be part of a global team that champions your growth and career ambitions. Work on groundbreaking projects - both in your local community and on a global scale - that are transforming our industry and shaping the future. With cutting-edge technology and a network of experts, you’ll have the resources to make a real impact. Our award-winning training and development programs are designed to expand your technical expertise and leadership skills, helping you build the career you’ve always envisioned. Here, you’ll find a welcoming workplace built on respect, collaboration and community—where you have the freedom to grow in a world of opportunity. 

As an Equal Opportunity Employer, we believe in your potential and are here to help you achieve it. All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.