Program Manager - R&D and Continual Improvement

Skytrac; Kelowna; On-site; CAD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading aviation communication technology company is seeking a Program Manager to oversee R&D and continual improvement initiatives. This role will involve coordinating product development and ensuring project alignment with customer needs and company standards. The ideal candidate will have extensive experience in managing technical projects within the aviation industry and possess strong leadership and organizational skills. Competitive salary and benefits are provided.

Benefits

Positive work culture

Team-building activities

Competitive compensation

Performance-based bonuses

Additional days off

Qualifications

• 5+ years managing multi-stakeholder technical projects.
• PMP Certification or equivalent.
• Experience in R&D or product development environments.

Responsibilities

• Oversee R&D projects aligned with technology roadmap.
• Lead projects within the Continual Improvement Process.
• Manage project schedules, budgets, and dependencies.

Skills

Project Management

Organizational Skills

Communication Skills

Team Leadership

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or related field

Tools

MS Project

Jira

Confluence

Job description

Program Manager - R&D and Continual Improvement

SKYTRAC is a leader in transforming aviation communication through cutting‑edge satellite and cellular technologies. Trusted by operators, OEMs, and organizations worldwide, SKYTRAC serves over 800 customers across all aerospace sectors. Our Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite solutions are redefining connectivity and reshaping the future of aviation.

The Program Manager – R&D and Continual Improvement plays a pivotal role in overseeing both customer‑driven programs and internal research and development (R&D) initiatives that advance SKYTRAC’s technology roadmap. This position focuses on the successful execution of contracts supporting customer order fulfillment, while also driving R&D and continual improvement projects to enhance product performance, reliability, and process efficiency.

The Program Manager is responsible for coordinating product development to ensure we meet the customers’ needs and expectations ensuring all deliverables meet company standards, contractual obligations, and evolving business goals. A key aspect of this role is managing technical projects through the Continual Improvement Process, ensuring innovation and operational excellence remain tightly integrated.

This position will coordinate closely with the Sales, Engineering, Production, and Customer Service teams and report progress to leadership on both customer and internal project portfolios.

*This is an in‑office position and can be located in either our Kelowna, BC or Ottawa, ON office.

Responsibilities Include:

R&D and Continual Improvement

• Plan, organize, and oversee R&D projects, ensuring alignment with SKYTRAC’s technology roadmap, business objectives, and certification or compliance pathways.
• Lead projects within the Continual Improvement Process (CIP) framework—identifying opportunities for performance enhancement, process efficiency, and product innovation.
• Collaborate with Engineering to evaluate, prioritize, and implement design changes or emerging technologies based on customer feedback, testing results, and performance data.
• Champion cross‑functional improvement initiatives, ensuring lessons learned from contracts, field performance, and customer support inform future development.
• Track and report R&D progress metrics, budget utilization, and ROI on internal projects.
• Facilitate stage‑gate reviews and document all R&D and CIP activities for traceability and continuous learning.

Contract & Program Management

• Meet contractual, legislative, and environmental compliance requirements.
• Design product scope and requirements for contracts ensuring deliverables meet stakeholder expectations.
• Manage project schedules, budgets, and dependencies to ensure milestones are achieved efficiently.
• Maintain proactive communication between project teams, customers, and internal stakeholders to ensure alignment and issue resolution.
• Ensure all project deliverables—both external and internal—meet defined scope, technical standards, and organizational objectives.
• Maintain accurate project records, reporting, and documentation to support compliance, audits, and knowledge sharing.

What You Bring

Candidate Must Have’s

• At least 5+ years of experience managing multi‑stakeholder technical projects, within real‑time data high‑tech or the aviation/aerospace industry.
• Bachelor’s Degree or Diploma in Computer Science, Engineering, Business, or a related technical discipline.
• PMP Certification or equivalent project management credential.
• Experience in R&D or product development environments.
• Strong organizational and resource planning skills.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Skilled at inspiring accountability and performance in teams.
• Proficiency with project management tools (e.g., MS Project, Jira, Confluence, or equivalent).

This will make you stand out

• Aerospace or aviation industry experience in a technical discipline such as Engineering, Product Development, or Flight Operations.
• Demonstrated experience leading R&D projects through design, prototyping, and validation stages.
• Familiarity with continual improvement or quality frameworks (e.g., ISO 9001, AS9100, Lean Six Sigma).
• Experience with satellite communications, avionics systems, or connected aircraft technologies.

At SKYTRAC, we are a dynamic team of passionate experts. We are driven and dedicated; we take ownership of our work, and we are committed to delivering results. We value individuals who are proactive, take initiative, and demonstrate a high level of professionalism and integrity in everything they do. We thrive in a fast‑paced, ever‑evolving environment, embracing challenges with agility. Our commitment to growth and development has made us the trusted subject matter experts we are today.

We offer:

• A positive and collaborative work culture.
• Engaging team‑building activities.
• Competitive compensation and comprehensive benefits package.
• Performance‑based bonuses.
• Additional days off beyond vacation entitlement.

The salary range for this role is $90,000 - $120,000. The range posted is a guide and may not represent the compensation offered to the successful candidate. Compensation is based on the skills, knowledge, experience, and qualifications brought to the role.