Program Manager

COMLUX AMERICA; Indianapolis (IN); On-site; USD 110,000 - 170,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401(k) match

Company HSA

Health insurance

Dental insurance

Life insurance

EAP

Job summary

Comlux America in Indianapolis, IN seeks a Program Manager to plan and administer VIP interior cabin completion programs for transport category aircraft under STC projects. You will act as the primary customer advocate and single point of contact for customers and executive leadership through the build, completion, and delivery phases.

You will ensure on-time, on-budget completion aligned with engineering specs, regulatory requirements, and customer expectations.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, aviation management, or a related field is required.
• Minimum 10 years of experience in project planning and program management, preferably in aviation.
• Minimum 5 years of STC environment experience in business or private aircraft completions or modifications on transport category aircraft.
• Experience with Boeing or Airbus platforms is preferred.
• Excellent written and verbal communication with internal teams, customers, and leadership.
• Leadership roles in aircraft production, completions, or aviation maintenance environments.
• Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings, blueprints, and technical documentation.

Responsibilities

• Lead integrated program planning, scheduling, and project control within a multi-functional matrix organization.
• Ensure visibility into program demands for prioritization and resource planning.
• Develop and maintain program management frameworks and processes for multiple departments.
• Prepare program reports and updates for customers and leadership against technical, commercial, and aesthetic requirements.
• Develop and maintain the master program schedule and budgets.
• Coordinate interactions with key subcontractors and external partners.
• Contribute to development of internal operating procedures for continuous improvement.
• Standardize customer communications with Comlux standards across programs.
• Maintain regular coordination with customer representatives throughout the program lifecycle.
• Support performance evaluations of key personnel based on program execution.
• Identify and resolve program risks and conflicts, escalating to leadership when needed.
• Deliver final executive reports summarizing financial, technical, and operational outcomes.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Skills

Leadership

Lean manufacturing

Communication

Problem solving

Crisis management

Reading drawings

Education

Bachelor’s degree in engineering, aviation management, or a related field

Tools

Microsoft Project

MS Office

Excel

Job description

Comlux America is a world-class VIP aircraft completion and refurbishment center located in Indianapolis, Indiana. The company designs, engineers, and installs custom luxury interiors and advanced aircraft systems for airliner-derivative business jets. Comlux also offers scheduled and unscheduled maintenance services. Specializing in highly customized aircraft, Comlux transforms aircraft into personalized flying environments that reflect exceptional craftsmanship, precision engineering, and uncompromising safety.

Role Description

The Program Manager is responsible for planning, managing, and administering VIP interior cabin completion programs for transport category aircraft executed under Civil Aviation Regulatory Authority Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) projects. This role serves as the primary customer advocate and the single point of contact for both customers and executive leadership throughout the building, completion, and delivery phases of the aircraft.

The Program Manager ensures that aircraft completion programs are delivered safely, on schedule, within budget, and in accordance with engineering specifications, regulatory requirements, and customer expectations. The core objective of this role is to coordinate cross-functional teams and manage program execution to support the company’s operational, commercial, and customer satisfaction goals.

Essential Job Functions

• Lead integrated program planning, scheduling, and project control activities within a multi-functional matrix organization to optimize resource allocation and ensure adherence to cost and schedule requirements.
• Ensure production, engineering, executive leadership, and cost management teams maintain clear visibility into program demands to enable effective prioritization and resource planning.
• Develop and maintain integrated program management frameworks and processes that support efficient planning and execution across multiple departments and shared resource centers.
• Prepare program reports, presentations, and updates to communicate performance status to customers and leadership, including progress against technical, commercial, and aesthetic project requirements.
• Develop, manage, and maintain the master program schedule and associated program budgets.
• Coordinate commercial and technical interactions with key program subcontractors and external partners.
• Contribute to the development and refinement of internal operating procedures to support continuous improvement and corporate operational development.
• Standardize customer communications to ensure alignment with Comlux corporate communication standards across all aircraft completion programs.
• Maintain regular coordination and communication with customer representatives throughout the entire program lifecycle.
• Support performance evaluations of key personnel based on direct observations and experience gained during program execution.
• Identify and resolve program risks, issues, and conflicts within project teams, escalating critical concerns to executive leadership when appropriate.
• Develop and deliver final program executive reports summarizing financial performance, technical results, operational outcomes, and recommendations for improvement.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications, Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, aviation management, or a related field required.
• Minimum 10 years of experience in project planning and program management, preferably within the aviation industry.
• Minimum 5 years of experience in an STC environment supporting business or private aircraft completions or modifications on transport category aircraft.
• Experience with Boeing or Airbus aircraft platforms preferred.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with the ability to effectively interact with internal teams, customers, and executive leadership.
• Demonstrated experience in progressive leadership roles within aircraft production, aircraft completions, or aviation maintenance environments.
• Strong technical problem-solving and crisis management capabilities within complex aviation production environments.
• Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings, blueprints, and technical documentation.

Required Skills and Abilities

• Comprehensive knowledge of aircraft completion processes and program execution within a VIP aircraft environment.
• Demonstrated leadership ability, strong business acumen, initiative, and the ability to drive operational results.
• Strong understanding of lean manufacturing principles as applied to aircraft completions and aviation production environments.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills with the ability to influence stakeholders and present information to leadership and customers.
• Proven ability to lead cross-functional teams including engineering, procurement, production, quality, and program management functions.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications including Outlook, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. Experience using Microsoft Project or similar project scheduling tools; advanced proficiency preferred.

This position is primarily based in an office environment and may require occasional time in an aircraft hangar or production environment. The role may involve:

• Ability to operate effectively in a fast-paced, high-demand aviation environment.
• Extended periods working at a computer
• Occasional exposure to aircraft hangar or production areas
• Walking between office, hangar, and production areas as needed
• Interaction with cross-functional teams in office, shop-floor, and meeting settings

Your success is our success. We provide a competitive and comprehensive total rewards package that supports you and your family.

• 401(k) with company annual contribution equal to 3% of eligible compensation
• Company-sponsored HSA
• Medical, Dental, Life Insurance, and EAP benefits
• Free financial consultations and guidance

EEO Statement

Comlux is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all applicants and employees regardless of race, color, religion, age, national origin, military status, veteran status, disability, sex (including pregnancy and sexual orientation), genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by law.