Aerospace Program Manager

Qualdoc; Newport News (VA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Qualdoc in Newport News, VA seeks an experienced Aerospace Program Manager to oversee government and commercial aviation programs from contract award through delivery and sustainment. You will manage performance, customer relationships, financial results, schedules, quality, and risk, interfacing with prime contractors and government customers.

The role requires PMP knowledge, 5+ years in aerospace/defense program management, and willingness to travel.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Business, or a related technical field.
• 5+ years of program management experience in aerospace or defense.
• Experience with government contracting and/or DoD agencies.
• PMI/PMP principles knowledge; PMP certification preferred or obtainable within 12 months.

Responsibilities

• Direct overall program execution, including cost, schedule, quality, risk, and customer requirements.
• Coordinate with Engineering, Production, Quality, and Flight Operations to meet milestones.
• Monitor program budgets, revenue forecasts, labor utilization, and earned value.
• Identify financial and schedule risks and develop corrective actions.
• Manage contract changes, including CCOs and contract modifications.
• Serve as primary contact for government contracting officers and prime contractors.
• Lead program reviews, status meetings, and executive briefings.
• Support proposals, cost estimating, schedules, staffing plans, and capture activities.
• Maintain program information through Microsoft Project, Teams, and SharePoint.
• Prepare recurring reports covering KPIs, risks, and status.
• Maintain logs and ensure proper archiving of records.
• Promote safety, compliance, accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
• Mentor program managers and coordinators to improve processes.

Skills

Program management

Aerospace/defense experience

Financial management

Risk management

Executive communication

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Business, or related field

Tools

Microsoft Project

Teams

SharePoint

Job description

Location: Newport News, VA

Job Type: Direct Hire

Starting Salary: $100,000/year — higher compensation available based on experience

Position Overview

We are seeking an experienced Aerospace Program Manager to oversee government and commercial aviation programs from contract award through delivery and sustainment. This role will manage program performance, customer relationships, financial results, schedules, quality, and risk while coordinating with Engineering, Production, Quality, Flight Operations, and Finance.

The Program Manager will also serve as a key interface with prime contractors, government customers, and commercial partners.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Business, or a related technical field
• 5+ years of program management experience in aerospace or defense
• Experience leading complex aviation, mission, or aircraft modification programs; $50M+ program scope preferred
• Experience with government contracting and/or DoD agencies
• Experience supporting government ISR operations
• Proficiency with Microsoft Project, Teams, and SharePoint
• Strong analytical, financial management, risk management, and executive communication skills
• Knowledge of PMI/PMP principles; PMP certification preferred or obtainable within 12 months
• U.S. Citizenship and ability to obtain and maintain an active U.S. Secret Security Clearance
• Ability to travel up to 25%, including domestic and international travel
• Willingness to participate in required drug-free workplace, program management, quality, and FAA Part 145 training

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience managing government contracts
• Direct experience with aircraft modification programs
• Working knowledge of FAA, AS9100D, FAR, and DFARS requirements
• Experience with Cost-Plus and Firm-Fixed Price (FFP) contracts

Key Responsibilities

• Direct overall program execution, including cost, schedule, quality, risk, and customer requirements
• Coordinate with Engineering, Production, Quality, and Flight Operations to meet modification and mission-readiness milestones
• Monitor program budgets, revenue forecasts, labor utilization, and earned value
• Identify financial and schedule risks and develop corrective or recovery actions
• Manage contract changes, including CCOs, REAs, and contract modifications
• Serve as a primary contact for government contracting officers, NAVAIR program representatives, prime contractors, and commercial customers
• Lead program reviews, status meetings, milestone discussions, and executive briefings
• Support proposals, cost estimating, technical inputs, WBS development, schedules, staffing plans, and capture activities
• Maintain program information and reporting through Microsoft Project, Teams, and SharePoint
• Prepare recurring reports covering KPIs, risks, mitigation plans, and program status
• Maintain RAILs (Revolving Action Item Logs) and ensure program records are properly controlled and archived
• Promote a strong culture of safety, compliance, accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement
• Mentor program managers and coordinators and help improve program management processes

We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses and identifying potential inconsistencies or verification signals in application materials based on available information. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.