Program Manager – Aerospace & Defense

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

Job summary

Qualdoc is seeking an experienced Program Manager to lead major aerospace and defense programs, interfacing with prime contractors, government customers, and aviation partners.

The role owns end-to-end program execution from award to delivery, driving technical excellence, schedule reliability, financial performance, quality, and safety in a fast-paced environment. Clear communication and risk management are essential.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Business, or a related technical discipline.
• 5+ years of program management experience in aerospace or defense.
• Experience leading aviation, mission, or aircraft modification programs with $50M+ scope.
• Experience with government contracting and DoD agencies.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. Secret Security Clearance; U.S. citizenship required.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the primary program lead for major contracts and future aviation programs.
• Own program performance across cost, schedule, quality, and risk.
• Lead daily program execution to ensure alignment with contract requirements and organizational standards.
• Coordinate with Engineering, Production, and Quality to achieve milestones on schedule.
• Ensure compliance with FAR/DFARS and AS9100D across program activities.

Skills

Program management

PMP certification

Active U.S. Secret Clearance

Communication skills

Govt contracting experience

Microsoft Project

Microsoft Teams

SharePoint

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Business, or related technical discipline

Tools

Microsoft Project

Microsoft Teams

SharePoint

Job description

Program Manager – Aerospace & Defense

Location:Newport News, VA
Position Type:Direct Hire
Salary:Starting at$100,000+, depending on experience

Position Overview

We are seeking an experiencedProgram Managerto lead major aerospace and defense programs as the primary interface with prime contractors, government customers, and commercial aviation partners.

The Program Manager will own overall program execution fromcontract award through delivery and sustainment, driving technical excellence, schedule reliability, financial performance, quality, and safety. This position will partner closely with Engineering, Quality, Flight Operations, Production, Finance, and executive leadership.

The ideal candidate is a proactive, structured leader who communicates clearly, identifies and manages risk early, and thrives in a fast-paced aerospace/defense environment. This individual should be committed to accountability, collaboration, safety, and continuous improvement.

• Bachelor’s degree inEngineering, Business, or a related technical discipline.
• 5+ years of program management experiencein aerospace or defense.
• Demonstrated success leading complexaviation, mission, or aircraft modification programs, ideally with$50M+ scope.
• Experience supportinggovernment contracting and/or DoD agencies.
• Experience ingovernment ISR operations.
• Proficiency withMicrosoft Project, Teams, and SharePoint.
• Strong analytical, financial management, and executive-level communication skills.
• Knowledge ofPMI PMP principles; PMP certification preferred, with the ability to attain certification within 12 months.
• Ability to obtain and maintain an activeU.S. Secret Security Clearance;U.S. citizenship required.
• Ability to travel up to25%, including domestic and international travel.
• Willingness to participate in aDrug-Free Workplace Program.
• Ability to complete annualprogram management, quality, and FAA Part 145 trainingas required.

• Prior experience managinggovernment contracts.
• Direct experience supporting and/or leadingaircraft modification programs.
• Working knowledge ofFAA, AS9100D, and FAR/DFARS compliance.
• Experience executingCost-Plus and Firm-Fixed Price (FFP)contracts.

Program Leadership & Execution

• Serve as the primary program lead for major contracts and future aviation programs.
• Own program performance acrosscost, schedule, quality, and risk.
• Lead daily program execution to ensure alignment with contract requirements and organizational standards.
• Coordinate with Engineering, Production, and Quality to achieve modification and mission-readiness milestones on schedule.
• Ensure compliance withFAR/DFARS and AS9100Dacross program activities and deliverables.

Financial & Contract Oversight

• ManageP&L performance and program financial reporting in coordination with Accounting and executive leadership.
• Track budgets, revenue forecasts, labor utilization, and earned value.Identify, forecast, and mitigate cost and schedule risks and implement recovery actions when necessary.
• Lead contract change management, includingCCOs, REAs, and contract modifications, to protect margin and scope integrity.

Stakeholder Communication & Customer Leadership

• Serve as the primary point of contact forgovernment contracting officers, NAVAIR program representatives, and commercial clients.
• Lead recurring program reviews, status briefings, and milestone meetings.
• Maintain clear and transparent communication across internal and external stakeholders.
• Promote alignment, accountability, and disciplined execution.

Business Development & Growth

• Support proposal development, cost estimating, and technical volume inputs for new opportunities.
• Contribute to pursuits through development ofWBS inputs, project schedules, and staffing plans.
• Provide input to capture strategies and program transition planning for new awards.

Program Management Tools & Reporting

• Maintain program visibility usingMicrosoft Project, Teams, and SharePoint.
• Produce weekly and monthly progress reports coveringKPIs, risks, and mitigation actions.
• Maintain accurateRAILs (Revolving Action Item Logs).
• Ensure program documentation is complete, controlled, and properly archived.

Leadership, Safety & Team Development

• Champion asafety-first, compliance-driven culturein every decision and directive.
• Lead with a modern, people-centered approach that fosters accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
• Mentor emerging program managers and coordinators.
• Help strengthen overall program execution capabilities.

• Direct Hire
• Newport News, VA
• $100,000+ starting salary, depending on experience
• Opportunity to lead complexaerospace and defense programs
• Up to25% travel
• Opportunity to work across government, DoD, ISR, and commercial aviation programs