Program Manager (FTC to Full time)

RTX; Leighton Buzzard; Hybrid; GBP 70,000 - 95,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

25 days annual leave

Excellent pension scheme

Private medical insurance

Cycle to work scheme

Job summary

Collins Aerospace in Leighton Buzzard is seeking a Program Manager to lead engineering program teams and oversee PMO processes from award to production handover. This FTC role of 12-14 months may become permanent for the right candidate, with hybrid working arrangements and exposure to customers, partners and suppliers.

Candidates should have a minimum of 5 years in program management within manufacturing, a STEM degree, and PM certification (PRINCE2/PMP).

Qualifications

• 5+ years of program and project management experience.
• Experience managing programs in manufacturing.
• STEM degree desirable; PM certification such as Prince2 or PMP considered.
• Proven people leadership in a matrix organisation.
• Customer exposure—external and internal—minimum of two years.
• Strong knowledge of NPI product lifecycle and new product development.
• Ability to coordinate cross-functional teams and stakeholders.
• Excellent MS Excel and MS Office skills; proficient in project tooling.

Responsibilities

• Lead programs to meet plans, schedules and budgets.
• Manage program P&L to ensure profitability.
• Monitor scope changes and route new enquiries through Sales.
• Resolve conflicts and escalate complex issues to senior management.
• Collect program data from EPLs for stakeholder reporting.

Skills

Program management

PMP/Prince2

People leadership

Cross-functional coordination

MS Excel

Education

STEM degree

PM certification (Prince2 / PMP)

Tools

MS Project

Job description

Date Posted: 2026-10-26 Country: United Kingdom Location: Leighton Buzzard, Bedfordshire Position Role Type: Hybrid Title: Program Manager (FTC to Perm) Location: Leighton Buzzard, United Kingdom Joining Collins Aerospace isn’t just about finding a job; it’s about embarking on a journey to redefine the future of aerospace technology. Collins Aerospace, an RTX company, is a leader in technologically advanced and intelligent solutions for the global aerospace and defence industry. Collins Aerospace has the capabilities, comprehensive portfolio, and expertise to solve customers’ toughest challenges and to meet the demands of a rapidly evolving global market. We are looking for a Program Manager to join our team in Leighton Buzzard to act as line manager to Engineering Program Leads (EPLs) and set the teams objectives. This is an amazing opportunity initially offered on a FTC basis of 12-14 months but is likely to go perm for the right candidate. The successful candidate will oversee the delivery of development programs from point of award to Production handover. Interface with Customers, Collins Partners and Suppliers. To facilitate cross-functional collaboration throughout the business and to control the PMO processes and contribute to continued improvement of process and procedure.

What you will do

• Lead programs to ensure adherence to program plans, schedules and budgets.
• Manage the P&L of the programs to ensure profitability.
• Monitoring for Program scope changes and the directing of new enquiries through Sales.
• Identifying and addressing conflicts that arise during the program and finding win-win solutions to benefit all parties including the solving of difficult problems and escalation of complex issues to the Snr. Sales and Program Manager.
• Collection of Program data from EPLs for presentation to wider stakeholders.

Experience & Qualifications we prefer

• Minimum of 5 years’ experience in program & project management is essential.
• The successful candidate will also have experience in managing programs from the manufacturing industry - this is also essential.
• A STEM Degree is highly desirable as is PM certification such as Prince 2 / PMP etc.
• Proven people leadership in a matrix organisation.
• External & Internal customer exposure experience - minimum of two years.
• Good knowledge of NPI Product Lifecycle and new product development - Essential.
• The ability to coordinate and manage cross-functional teams of people and maintain strong relationships with stakeholders, team members and partners.
• Proven high proficiency on MS Excel and general proficiency in MS office and Project (or similar).
• Management of metrics, dashboard creation and clear reporting skills.
• A high aptitude for problem solving, particularly where negotiations in priorities are concerned.
• Ability to work to tight deadlines under pressure in a busy environment.
• Experience in a process driven environment, working to recognised standards or regulations.

What we offer

• 25 days annual leave + bank holidays
• Competitive Salary Bonus Scheme
• Fantastic pension scheme
• Critical illness cover.
• Income Protection
• Private Medical Insurance, Employee Assistance Programme, the ability to buy holidays, a cycle to work scheme & other great employee discounts

At Collins Aerospace, our Interiors team is focused on innovation, safety and cost efficiency. But we don’t just get people from point A to point B. We’re committed to making air travel more comfortable, connected and secure. As a leader in aviation interior products and services, we’re helping airlines and original equipment manufacturers create a positive experience for their customers. With offices and manufacturing facilities in more than 12 states across the U.S. and more than 10 countries around the globe, we’re changing the game of aircraft interiors.

RTX adheres to the principles of equal employment. All qualified applications will be given careful consideration without regard to ethnicity, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation or identity, national origin, age, disability, protected veteran status or any other characteristic protected by law.

RTX is an aerospace and defense company that provides advanced systems and services for commercial, military and government customers worldwide. It comprises three industry-leading businesses - Collins Aerospace, Pratt & Whitney, and Raytheon. Its 195,000 employees enable the company to operate at the edge of known science as they imagine and deliver solutions that push the boundaries in quantum physics, electric propulsion, directed energy, hypersonics, avionics and cybersecurity. The company, formed in 2020 through the combination of Raytheon Company and the United Technologies Corporation aerospace businesses, is headquartered in Arlington, Virginia.