Program Manager II

Astronautics Corporation of America; Oak Creek (WI); Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Astronautics Corporation of America, headquartered in Oak Creek, Wisconsin, is seeking a Program Manager II to lead avionics development programs with full accountability for cost, schedule, and technical performance. You will interface with customers, suppliers, and internal teams to ensure successful program execution and long-term relationships.

This hybrid on-site role reports to the Director, Avionics Solutions, and requires strong leadership, risk management, and communication skills.

Qualifications

• Minimum two years of program management experience leading complex technical engineering development efforts from contract award through program completion.
• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution required; engineering or a related technical discipline preferred.
• Demonstrated success managing cost, schedule, technical performance, and risk on complex development programs.
• Proven ability to lead cross-functional teams including Engineering, Operations, Finance, Contracts, and Quality.
• Experience in customer-facing program management roles, preferably within the government and/or commercial avionics industry.
• Strong leadership skills in both matrixed organizations and integrated program team environments.
• Aerospace industry risk management experience required.
• Excellent organizational, analytical, negotiation, and communication capabilities.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including presenting to executive leadership and customers.
• Willingness and ability to travel domestically and internationally as needed.
• Working knowledge of customer flow-down requirements and experience ensuring compliance with government regulations.
• Master’s degree in engineering or an MBA preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead integrated program teams responsible for the successful execution of new and complex avionics development programs.
• Direct programs from contract award through completion, ensuring compliance with cost, schedule, technical, and performance requirements.
• Lead the development of Statements of Work (SOWs) for outsourced product development work packages.
• Serve as a team leader for proposal efforts, ensuring complete compliance with customer Requests for Proposal (RFPs).
• Analyze supplier and subcontractor proposals for cost, technical capability, risk, and delivery performance.
• Serve as the primary contractual point of contact with internal/ external customers for existing contracts and bid/ proposal activities.
• Build and sustain strong relationships with customers, suppliers, and subcontractors to ensure contractual, financial, technical, and schedule commitments are achieved.
• Define and manage technical and commercial program objectives, driving achievement of key milestones.
• Plan, track, and communicate program technical, schedule, financial, and risk status to executive leadership.
• Guide the development of program business strategies, technical roadmaps, and long-term customer engagement plans.
• Identify, evaluate, and actively manage risks and opportunities throughout the full program lifecycle.

Skills

Program management

Cross-functional leadership

Customer-facing

Communication

Risk management

Aerospace industry experience

Travel willingness

Education

Bachelor's degree in engineering or related field

Master's degree preferred

Job description

We are seeking an Program Manager II! In this role, you will serve as the primary interface between our customer, suppliers, and internal cross-functional teams, with full accountability for cost, schedule, technical performance, and customer satisfaction. This is a highly visible role with direct impact on program success and long-term customer relationships.

This hybrid on-site position is based at our Headquarters in Oak Creek, WI. You will report directly to the Director, Avionics Solutions.

How You Will Do it:

• Lead integrated program teams responsible for the successful execution of new and complex avionics development programs.
• Direct programs from contract award through completion, ensuring compliance with cost, schedule, technical, and performance requirements.
• Lead the development of Statements of Work (SOWs) for outsourced product development work packages.
• Serve as a team leader for proposal efforts, ensuring complete compliance with customer Requests for Proposal (RFPs).
• Analyze supplier and subcontractor proposals for cost, technical capability, risk, and delivery performance.
• Serve as the primary contractual point of contact with internal/ external customers for existing contracts and bid/ proposal activities.
• Build and sustain strong relationships with customers, suppliers, and subcontractors to ensure contractual, financial, technical, and schedule commitments are achieved.
• Define and manage technical and commercial program objectives, driving achievement of key milestones.
• Plan, track, and communicate program technical, schedule, financial, and risk status to executive leadership.
• Guide the development of program business strategies, technical roadmaps, and long-term customer engagement plans.
• Identify, evaluate, and actively manage risks and opportunities throughout the full program lifecycle.

What We Look For:

Required

• Minimum two years of program management experience leading complex technical engineering development efforts from contract award through program completion.
• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution required; engineering or a related technical discipline preferred.
• Demonstrated success managing cost, schedule, technical performance, and risk on complex development programs.
• Proven ability to lead cross-functional teams including Engineering, Operations, Finance, Contracts, and Quality.
• Experience in customer-facing program management roles, preferably within the government and/or commercial avionics industry.
• Strong leadership skills in both matrixed organizations and integrated program team environments.
• Aerospace industry risk management experience required.
• Excellent organizational, analytical, negotiation, and communication capabilities.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including presenting to executive leadership and customers.
• Willingness and ability to travel domestically and internationally as needed.
• Working knowledge of customer flow-down requirements and experience ensuring compliance with government regulations.
• Master’s degree in engineering or an M.B.A. preferred.

Who We Are:

We are a team that designs computers, displays and electronic systems for aircraft of the future! At Astronautics, you will be part of a creative group of professionals who work on the cutting-edge of technology. We offer competitive pay, excellent benefits and the opportunity for professional growth in a collaborative environment.

Astronautics, headquartered in Oak Creek, Wisconsin, is a global leader in the design, development and manufacture of secure avionics equipment and systems for the commercial and military aerospace industry. Key product areas include electronic primary flight and engine displays, connected aircraft and cyber solutions, electronic flight bags, and certified servers for airborne applications. Services include avionics system integration and custom software for critical applications. Since its founding in 1959, Astronautics has been providing trusted, reliable, and tailored solutions to help customers achieve mission success. Astronautics is the parent company of Kearfott Corporation, headquartered in Pine Brook, New Jersey.

We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.

Location(s)

135 West Forest Hill Avenue, Oak Creek , Wisconsin 53154 , United States