Program Manager MQ-9 Training Systems

General Atomics Aeronautical Systems; Poway (CA); Hybrid; USD 91,000 - 163,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

ICP bonus

Hybrid work environment

Company benefits

EV charging on site

Job summary

General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. in Poway, CA, is seeking a Program Manager to coordinate development activities for MQ-9B training devices and related systems.

The role emphasizes planning, tracking, and cross‑functional leadership across software, hardware, systems engineering, test, production, and program management to drive on‑time delivery. The ideal candidate has deep program management experience, strong communication, and the ability to navigate DoD requirements and security

Qualifications

• Typically requires an engineering or related technical degree with 9+ years of program administration experience.
• Demonstrates program management principles, planning, and scheduling skills to meet milestones.
• Ability to coordinate across software, hardware, systems engineering, test, production, and program management.
• Strong communication and leadership to interface with management, customers, and government representatives.

Responsibilities

• Assist with development and execution of program plans to meet schedule, budget, quality, and specs.
• Manage and monitor program schedules, milestones, and resources from planning through delivery.
• Coordinate cross-functional teams to deliver new or upgraded products and services.
• Support design concepts, technical criteria, development activities, testing, and integration.
• Apply Earned Value Management by reviewing cost, schedule, and performance data and communicating impacts.
• Identify issues, develop recommendations, and support resolution plans.
• Deliver progress reports, requirements documents, action trackers, and status updates.
• Provide direction to employees on assigned program tasks.
• Administer and execute applicable policies and procedures for the program.

Skills

Program management

DoD security clearance

Leadership

Communication

Scheduling

Cross-functional coordination

Education

Engineering degree (Bachelors/Master/PhD)

Job description

Job Summary

General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI), an affiliate of General Atomics, is a world leader in proven, reliable remotely piloted aircraft and tactical reconnaissance radars, as well as advanced high-resolution surveillance systems.

General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc., an affiliate of General Atomics, is seeking a Program Manager to support development activities within the International Training Simulator team. This position will focus on the development and execution of training devices supporting the MQ-9B platform.

The position will coordinate day-to-day engineering IPT activities across software, hardware, systems engineering, test, production, and program management. This role will maintain visibility into technical actions, risks, blockers, dependencies, and schedule impacts while helping ensure clear ownership and follow-through across functional teams. The ideal candidate is organized, proactive, and comfortable operating in a technical environment. This individual should be able to understand engineering discussions, capture key decisions, communicate technical status, and help drive actions to closure.

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Assist with development and execution of program plans to help ensure schedule, budget, quality, and specification goals are attained.
• Manage and monitor program schedules, timelines, milestones, and assigned resources from program planning through delivery.
• Coordinate departmental and cross-functional teams to assign, prioritize, and track tasks focused on delivering new or upgraded products and services.
• Participate with engineering teams to support design concepts, technical criteria, development activities, testing, and integration efforts.
• Support the application of Earned Value Management principles by learning to review cost, schedule, and performance data, identify variances, and communicate potential impacts to program leadership.
• Identify and assess program issues, develop recommendations, and support resolution plans, including resource reallocation or adjustments to technical execution plans.
• Develop and deliver progress reports, requirements documentation, action trackers, and status updates for program management and leadership review.
• Provide direction and guidance to employees working on assigned program tasks.
• Administer and execute policies, processes, and procedures that impact the assigned program.

We recognize and appreciate the value and contributions of individuals with diverse backgrounds and experiences and welcome all qualified individuals to apply.

Highlights Working For GA-ASI:

• This position is eligible for the Individual Compensation Program (ICP) bonus.
• This position is eligible for a hybrid work environment pending project needs.
• Outstanding benefits including: 401(k) (with company match), company pension, on site cafeterias, gyms and outdoor recreation centers, unlimited access to discounted tickets to events and amusement parks such as San Diego Zoo and Safari Park at discounted rates.
• Outstanding work environment: team-centric, value and respect all contributors, great growth potential within GA-ASI project engineering and GA-ASI as a whole.
• Free Electric Vehicle (EV) charging while at work.

Job Qualifications

• Typically requires a Bachelors, Masters or PhD in engineering, science or a related technical field as well as nine or more years of progressively complex program administration experience. May substitute equivalent experience in lieu of education.
• Demonstrates technical expertise and application of program management principles, concepts, and practice as well as program management and leadership skills including organizing, planning, scheduling, and coordinating workloads to meet established deadlines or milestones.
• Must be able to develop solutions to problems that require coordination of technologies across program requirements.
• Strong communication, leadership, presentation, and interpersonal skills are required to enable an effective interface with other departments, all levels of management, professional and support staff, customers, potential customers, and government representatives.
• Customer focused.
• Must be able to work on a self-initiated basis and in a team environment.
• Able to work extended hours and travel as required.
• Ability to obtain and maintain DoD security clearance is required.

Job Type: Full-Time Salary

Salary range: 90,930 - 162,788