Aviation & Defense Program Manager – Automation

Indra Group; Overland Park, Northern (KS, KY); Hybrid; USD 120,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

Indra Group in Overland Park, KS, seeks an experienced Program Manager (Automation) to lead the delivery of complex, safety-critical aviation and defense programs, primarily for FAA and related agencies. This role oversees full lifecycle execution, from capture and proposal development through system delivery, certification and final acceptance.

The ideal candidate has extensive experience with government customers, IMS, budgets, risk plans, and strong program governance.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Computer Science, Business, Program Management, or related discipline.
• 10+ years of experience managing complex aerospace, aviation, defense, or government technology programs.
• Demonstrated success delivering large-scale, mission-critical programs for U.S. government customers.
• Experience managing software-intensive systems, automation platforms, or complex system integration programs.
• Experience developing and managing IMS, budgets, forecasts, risk management plans, and program execution strategies.
• Strong knowledge of program management principles, change control, performance measurement, and financial management.
• Experience leading cross-functional teams in highly technical environments.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills with executive and government customers.

Responsibilities

• Lead proposals for FAA and defense-related RFPs/RFQs in compliance with FAR/DFARS.
• Identify, vet and negotiate with subcontractors per federal procurement standards.
• Ensure proposals align with technical, regulatory and certification requirements (e.g., air traffic management systems, communications, surveillance or navigation systems).
• Develop compliant and competitive program plans including SOW, WBS, IMS, BOE and resource plans.
• Conduct risk and opportunity analyses.
• Lead end-to-end execution of FAA and defense programs, ensuring adherence to contractual, technical and regulatory requirements.
• Establish and maintain program governance, including milestone reviews (SRR, PDR, CDR, TRR, etc.).
• Manage IMS and ensure alignment across engineering, manufacturing and other stakeholders.
• Direct cross-functional teams delivering safety-critical systems, including hardware, software and integrated solutions.
• Oversee subcontractor performance, ensuring compliance with cost, schedule, quality and federal requirements.

Skills

Program management

Communication

Stakeholder management

Leadership

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Computer Science, Business, Program Management, or related discipline

Job description

Indra Group in Overland Park, KS, seeks an experienced Program Manager (Automation) to lead the delivery of complex, safety-critical aviation and defense programs, primarily for FAA and related agencies. This role oversees full lifecycle execution, from capture and proposal development through system delivery, certification and final acceptance.

The ideal candidate has extensive experience with government customers, IMS, budgets, risk plans, and strong program governance.