Program Manager, Aircraft (Remote - US only)

IllTip; California; Hybrid; USD 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

IllTip is seeking a Program Manager to lead PMO activities for a California-based aircraft project. You will own cost, schedule, scope, risk and customer relationships across the program, coordinating design, build, supply chain and test in parallel.

The role requires 7+ years of relevant PM experience, DoD contracting background, and proficiency with IMS tools and EVM concepts. Regular travel to supplier, customer and test sites in CA is expected.

Qualifications

• 7+ years of program management with aerospace/DoD exposure.
• Experience owning cost, schedule and technical performance on aircraft/UD/defense hardware.
• Direct DoD contracting experience (S&T, prototype, 6.2/6.3).
• Familiarity with funded vs. ceiling value, modifications and customer reporting.
• Hands-on IMS tools and EVM concepts.

Responsibilities

• Serve as primary contact for government program managers and contracting teams on research programs.
• Drive program execution from design reviews through fabrication, integration, ground test and flight test.
• Build and maintain an integrated master schedule tied to contract milestones and test events.
• Manage budgets and spend against funding, flagging variance early with recovery plans.
• Deliver contract deliverables on time, including CDRLs, monthly status and financial reports.

Skills

Program management

DoD contracting

Budgeting

Earned Value Mgmt (EVM)

IMS tools

Tools

MS Project

Primavera

Smartsheet

Job description

Candidates must be U.S. persons under ITAR and able to obtain and maintain a U.S. security clearance. Regular travel to California supplier, customer and test sites is required. A defense technology company building autonomous aircraft and multi-vehicle command and control software is hiring a Program Manager to lead program management across its aircraft work. You will join the Program Management Office and report to the Director of PMO. The role owns cost, schedule, scope, risk and the customer relationship across a Group 5 aircraft program and a growing set of research efforts, with design, build, supply chain and test running in parallel.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the primary point of contact for government program managers and contracting teams on research programs.
• Drive aircraft program execution from design reviews through fabrication, integration, ground test and flight test, alongside the Director of PMO.
• Build and maintain an integrated master schedule tied to contract milestones and test events.
• Manage budgets and spend against funding, flagging variance early with recovery plans.
• Deliver contract deliverables on time, including CDRLs, monthly status and financial reports, technical reports and final deliverables.
• Run the program cadence, including weekly reviews, milestone reviews (PDR, CDR, TRR), risk and issue processes, and leadership and customer updates.

Requirements

• 7+ years of program management, with at least 4 years owning cost, schedule and technical performance on aircraft, UAS or other aerospace and defense hardware.
• Direct experience managing DoD research and development contracts (S&T, prototype, or 6.2/6.3 efforts).
• Track record taking aircraft or aerospace hardware through build and test, ideally to first flight.
• Working knowledge of government contract execution, including funded vs. ceiling value, modifications and customer reporting.
• Hands-on experience with IMS tools such as MS Project, Primavera or Smartsheet, budget tracking and EVM concepts.
• U.S. person status under ITAR and eligibility for a U.S. security clearance.

Applicants must be based in: United States.