Program Manager

CAE Inc; City of Binghamton (NY); On-site; USD 105,000 - 176,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive benefits package

Work‑life balance focus

Professional development opportunities

Job summary

CAE USA Inc. seeks an experienced Senior Program Manager to lead complex defense and security programs from inception through sustainment. You will own performance, manage budgets, and align cross-functional teams to meet stringent requirements and milestones.

The role requires a strong leadership mindset, EVMS expertise, and the ability to collaborate with senior stakeholders. US citizenship is a prerequisite for this government-contract position.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required; master's preferred.
• Minimum 10 years in program performance/management.
• Proven track record managing complex aerospace/defense programs.
• Dynamic, energetic leader who fosters a high-performance team.
• Experience with earned value cost accounting and reporting.
• Must coordinate with cross-functional teams and communicate status to leadership.
• Active DoD security clearance preferred.
• U.S. citizens only due to government contract requirements.

Responsibilities

• Develop trusted relationships with customers and understand mission and contract requirements.
• Own program performance from inception to completion across design, development, production, and sustainment.
• Communicate program status to leadership and team.
• Lead the program team and ensure successful execution.
• Develop growth concepts based on customer needs and value.
• Support bid/proposal activities and ensure RFP requirements are met.
• Plan and schedule contracts/subcontracts and manage budgets.
• Report progress to senior management monthly.
• Maintain integrated master schedule with milestones and phases.
• Mitigate risks and implement corrective actions when budgets/schedules deviate.
• Obtain senior management approval for major decisions affecting cost/schedule.

Skills

Program management

Earned value

Cross-functional leadership

Security clearance

Communication skills

U.S. citizenship

Education

Bachelor's degree

Master’s degree preferred

Job description

Who We Are: CAE Vision: Our vision is to be the worldwide partner of choice in defense and security, civil aviation, and healthcare by revolutionizing our customers’ training and critical operations with digitally immersive solutions to elevate safety, efficiency and readiness. CAE Defense & Security Mission: CAE's Defense and Security business unit focuses on helping prepare military customers to develop and maintain the highest levels of mission readiness. CAE Values: Empowerment, Innovation, Excellence, Integrity, and OneCAE make us who we are and we strive to make a difference in the world while helping each other succeed.

What We Have to Offer: Comprehensive and competitive benefits package and flexibility that promotes work-life balance. A work environment where all employees are valued, respected and safe. Freedom to succeed by enabling team members to deliver, take initiatives and make decisions. Recognition, professional development, advancement, and having fun!

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Develop a trusted relationship with the customer and a keen understanding of their mission, success definition, and program / contract requirements
• Understand and take ownership of program performance
• Accurately assess and communicate program status to leadership and members of the program team
• Direct all phases of the program from inception to completion to include design, development, production and sustainment phases
• Develop relationships with program team members and lead the program team in successful execution
• Hold self and team accountable to program performance
• Develop concepts for growth and enhancements based on the customer’s mission, value set, and needs
• Support program growth initiatives including program bid and proposal activities
• Ensure that requirements of the request for proposal are met in the preparation and documentation of bids and proposals
• Develop and implement plans and schedules to execute contracts/subcontracts
• Allocate and control contract budgets for labor, material, travel, and purchased services
• Report program status to senior management monthly
• Development and maintenance of the program integrated master schedule to include the internal and external milestones and phases as established by the respective program teams
• Establish and monitor adherence to program master plans and schedules, identify program problems, obtain solutions, direct allocation of resources
• Develop and implement corrective action plans when deviations from budgets and/or schedule are evident
• Seek senior management assistance in resolving schedule and budget problems as they arise
• Formally identify, assess, monitor, and mitigate risk throughout the program life cycle
• Obtain management approval prior to making decisions that will cause deterioration of established program, cost, and schedule objectives
• Maintain program financial forecasts, report progress to financial objectives

Qualifications and Education Requirements

• Bachelor's degree, master’s degree preferred
• Minimum 10 years program performance and / or management related experience
• Successful track record in managing complex aerospace/defense programs
• Must be a dynamic and energetic leader that fosters a team identity and a high-performance culture
• Experience with earned value cost accounting and reporting; experience with metrics for assessing and reporting program progress, productivity, and variance analysis
• The position requires coordinating and working with cross-functional teams
• Strong communication skills to advise team members and senior management on status and/or actions
• Active Secret security clearance preferred
• A personality style that is team oriented and has the success of the customer, program, organization, and business as his/her main objective
• Due to U.S. Government contract requirements, only U.S. citizens are eligible for this role

Security Responsibilities

• Must comply with all company security and data protection / usage policies and procedures
• Personally responsible for proper marking and handling of all information and materials, in any form
• Shall not divulge any information, or afford access, to other employees not having a need-to-know
• Shall not divulge information outside company without management approval
• All government and proprietary information will be accessed and stored electronically on company provided resources
• Incumbent must be eligible for DoD Personal Security Clearance

Salary Range: $105,100 - 175,700

Please note: The actual compensation rate is subject to the evaluation of the following factors (but not limited to): the candidate's work experience, qualifications, skills, internal equity, and market.

Other Duties Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for their job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

CAE USA Inc. is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will be considered for employment without regard to any protected characteristic, including disability and protected veteran status, as defined under federal, state, or local laws.

About CAE

At CAE, our mission is clear: to help make the world a safer place. For nearly 80 years, we’ve driven innovation in simulation, training, and mission readiness to support critical operations worldwide. By leveraging advanced technologies, we empower our customers to operate smarter, faster, and more sustainably. Join a purpose-driven organization where bold ideas are encouraged, collaboration drives progress, and your growth fuels our shared success.

Position Type Regular

Equal Opportunity Employer CAE is an equal opportunity employer committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all applicants and employees without regard to race, color, national origin, age, religion, sex, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. At CAE, everyone is welcome to contribute to our success.

Data Privacy Privacy Statement | CAE As part of our process, we may use AI‑supported tools to help review applications, with human decision‑making at every step. CAE thanks all applicants for their interest. However, only those whose background and experience match the requirements of the role will be contacted. Welcome to CAE! As a global leader in Civil Aviation and Defense & Security across 40 countries, we advance together as One CAE, fueled by thousands of passionate individuals operating in a culture where everyone can thrive. We hold ourselves accountable for building an inclusive community at every level, and our comprehensive benefits support you professionally and personally. Together, we are All For shaping a future where safety, sustainability, and inclusivity lead the way. Join us and be part of something bigger—where your impact reaches beyond CAE and helps shape the world of tomorrow.