Army Propulsion Projects - Program Manager

General Atomics Aeronautical Systems; Poway (CA); On-site; USD 119,000 - 208,000; Full time

Job summary

General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI) is seeking a product manager for Gray Eagle propulsion systems.

You will lead propulsion-related engineering, production, and sustainment activities across the full lifecycle and coordinate with suppliers to meet engine needs while ensuring a robust supply base. The role requires strong program management experience, leadership across multiple teams, and the ability to interact with Army customers and DoD stakeholders.

Qualifications

• Typically requires a Bachelor’s, Master’s or PhD in engineering, science or a related technical field as well as eleven or more years of progressively complex program administration experience.
• Areas of study in aerospace engineering, mechanical engineering, systems engineering, or a related technical field with emphasis on propulsion or fluid/thermal systems highly preferred.
• Experience managing complex engineering efforts, preferably involving propulsion systems, engines, powerplants, or related subsystems, with direct exposure to fielded system support, obsolescence management, supply chain coordination, and forecast/production planning. Experience with DoD/Army acquisition, sustainment, and logistics processes is desirable.
• Demonstrated expertise in program or product management principles, concepts, and practices, with strong leadership skills including organizing, planning, scheduling, and coordinating workloads to meet established deadlines or milestones.
• Strong communication, leadership, presentation, and interpersonal skills to interface effectively with Army customers, internal stakeholders, all levels of management, professional and support staff, and government representatives.
• Customer focused; able to work on a self‑initiated basis and in a team environment, and able to work extended hours and travel (including to Army installations, test sites, and field locations) as required.
• Ability to obtain and maintain an appropriate U.S. security clearance, if required by program or customer.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the product manager for Gray Eagle propulsion systems, overseeing all phases of MQ-1C Gray Eagle propulsion support from conceptualization, development, and qualification through production, customer delivery, and field sustainment.
• Key responsibilities include planning a robust supply chain, competitive hardware acquisition, program planning, execution to schedule, and technical performance to ensure product quality, business, and financial objectives.
• Responsible for forecast management of Gray Eagle propulsion systems to support aircraft production line and field spares through line of balance and translating forecasts into planned orders with suppliers to meet engine needs while maintaining a cost effective and stable supply base.
• Work closely with Supply Chain Management to ensure timely procurement, availability, and lifecycle support; address supplier performance, lead times, and material shortages to maintain program schedule and cost objectives.
• Lead efforts supporting fielded Gray Eagle systems, coordinating corrective actions for propulsion-related field issues, reliability concerns, component and subsystem obsolescence, and performance improvements in close collaboration with Army customers, GA-ASI field service teams, and depot/maintenance activities.
• Collaborate with engineering, systems engineering, logistics, and integrated product teams to establish design concepts, criteria, and engineering efforts for product development, testing, integration, modifications, and field upgrades.

Skills

Program management

Leadership

Communication

Forecast/production planning

Supply chain coordination

Education

Bachelor's degree

Masters

PhD

Job description

Job Summary

General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI), an affiliate of General Atomics, is a world leader in proven, reliable remotely piloted aircraft and tactical reconnaissance radars, as well as advanced high-resolution surveillance systems.

Job Summary

General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI), an affiliate of General Atomics, is a world leader in proven, reliable remotely piloted aircraft and tactical reconnaissance radars, as well as advanced high-resolution surveillance systems. This position reports to a Program Director within the Army P&L organization at GA-ASI and is responsible for the planning, management, and technical performance of propulsion-focused efforts supporting the U.S. Army MQ-1C Gray Eagle platform. In this role, the individual serves as the product manager for Gray Eagle propulsion systems. The Gray Eagle propulsion product manager will lead well-defined engineering, production, and sustainment activities for Gray Eagle propulsion systems across the full product life cycle, This includes determining engine and propulsion hardware production needs based on projections from field operations and new aircraft production, and incorporating those needs into a line of balance and forecast orders with suppliers to meet engine needs while ensuring the supply base maintains efficient production. Provides oversight of engineering activities related to operational engine issues in the field, product and component life extension, obsolescence management and customer qualification efforts. The position holds significant budgetary and schedule responsibility, with high impact to MQ-1C business objectives and customer operations. The position typically accomplishes objectives across multiple organizational groups through subordinate managers and integrated product teams. A proven track record of successfully leading complex product or program efforts within a similarly complex organization, involving both suppliers, engineering, and customers, is highly desirable.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Serve as the product manager for Gray Eagle propulsion systems, overseeing all phases of MQ-1C Gray Eagle propulsion support from conceptualization, development, and qualification through production, customer delivery, and field sustainment. Key responsibilities include planning a robust supply chain, competitive hardware acquisition, program planning, execution to schedule, and technical performance to ensure product quality, business, and financial objectives are attained.
• Responsible for forecast management of Gray Eagle propulsion systems to support aircraft production line and field spares through line of balance and translating forecasts into planned orders with suppliers to meet engine needs while maintaining a cost effective and stable supply base.
• Work closely with Supply Chain Management to ensure timely procurement, availability, and lifecycle support; address supplier performance, lead times, and material shortages to maintain program schedule and cost objectives.
• Lead efforts supporting fielded Gray Eagle systems, coordinating corrective actions for propulsion-related field issues, reliability concerns, component and subsystem obsolescence, and performance improvements in close collaboration with Army customers, GA-ASI field service teams, and depot/maintenance activities.
• Collaborate with engineering, systems engineering, logistics, and integrated product teams to establish design concepts, criteria, and engineering efforts for product development, testing, integration, modifications, and field upgrades.
• Act as the primary contact with internal and external representatives at various levels to discuss cost, schedule, technical performance, field performance, and sustainment status for Gray Eagle propulsion systems.
• Influence and coordinate the preparation of proposals, basis of estimates, business plans, proposal work statements and specifications, operating budgets, and financial terms/conditions of contract(s) for Gray Eagle propulsion efforts. Influence contract acquisitions, negotiations, and modifications.
• Develop and maintain program plans, WBS dictionary, budget, schedules, risk registers, and resource allocations specific to Gray Eagle propulsion support on customer contracts or internal research and development efforts.
• Ensure the security of proprietary propulsion technology and maintain strict confidentiality of sensitive and controlled defense information.
• Contribute to the development of new Gray Eagle propulsion-related business opportunities and expansion of existing Army MQ-1C business, including upgrades, modifications, and follow-on sustainment efforts.
• Ensure compliance with applicable company policies, Army and DoD requirements, and regulatory guidelines relevant to Gray Eagle propulsion systems, sustainment, and supply chain.
• Other duties as assigned or required.

We recognize and appreciate the value and contributions of individuals with diverse backgrounds and experiences and welcome all qualified individuals to apply.

Job Qualifications

• Typically requires a Bachelors, Masters or PhD in engineering, science or a related technical field as well as eleven or more years of progressively complex program administration experience. May substitute equivalent experience in lieu of education.
• Areas of study in aerospace engineering, mechanical engineering, systems engineering, or a related technical field with emphasis on propulsion or fluid/thermal systems highly preferred.
• Experience managing complex engineering efforts, preferably involving propulsion systems, engines, powerplants, or related subsystems, with direct exposure to fielded system support, obsolescence management, supply chain coordination, and forecast/production planning. Experience with DoD/Army acquisition, sustainment, and logistics processes is desirable.
• Demonstrated expertise in program or product management principles, concepts, and practices, with strong leadership skills including organizing, planning, scheduling, and coordinating workloads to meet established deadlines or milestones.
• Strong communication, leadership, presentation, and interpersonal skills to interface effectively with Army customers, internal stakeholders, all levels of management, professional and support staff, and government representatives.
• Customer focused; able to work on a self‑initiated basis and in a team environment, and able to work extended hours and travel (including to Army installations, test sites, and field locations) as required.
• Ability to obtain and maintain an appropriate U.S. security clearance, if required by program or customer.

Job Type: Full-Time Salary

Salary range: 118,500 - 207,750