Senior Aerospace Development Program Manager

SOGECLAIR; Wichita (KS); On-site; USD 150,000 - 210,000; Full time

Job summary

SOGECLAIR is seeking a Senior/Lead Aerospace Development Program Manager in Wichita, KS. The role requires steering complex aircraft development programs across engineering, certification, suppliers, finance, customers, and executives.

The successful candidate will integrate the entire development effort, drive from technical definition through certification and delivery, and possess demonstrated leadership and aerospace program credibility.

Qualifications

• 10+ years in aerospace/defense, ideally supporting aircraft development programs.
• Technical depth to credibly lead engineering and challenge teams.
• Experience with aircraft development and certification, especially 14 CFR Part 25.
• Experience in FAA ODA environments and cross-functional leadership.
• Budgeting, forecasting, and financial governance experience.

Responsibilities

• Lead a complex aircraft development program across engineering, certification, suppliers, finance, customers, and executives.
• Drive the program from technical definition through certification and customer delivery.
• Coordinate schedule, cost, risk, and technical performance with multiple stakeholders.
• Guide programs from definition/design through delivery with strong cross-functional influence.

Skills

Cross-functional leadership

Program management

Aerospace industry experience

Certification knowledge

Stakeholder management

Budgeting / EVM

PLM familiarity

ERP familiarity

Influence without authority

Customer-facing experience

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical, Electrical, or Aerospace Engineering

Tools

PLM systems

ERP systems

Job description

This role is best positioned as a Senior/Lead Aerospace Development Program Manager opportunity with a strong engineering and certification component. The successful candidate must be able to lead a complex aircraft development program across engineering, certification, suppliers, finance, customers, and executive stakeholders.

The key differentiator is that this is not a traditional project manager position focused primarily on schedules. Bombardier needs a technically credible program leader who can integrate the entire aircraft development effort and drive the program from technical definition through certification and customer delivery.

• 10+ years of aerospace and/or defense experience, ideally supporting aircraft development programs.
• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical, Electrical, Aerospace Engineering, or another relevant engineering discipline.
• Technical depth sufficient to credibly lead and challenge engineering organizations.
• Aircraft development and certification experience, particularly 14 CFR Part 25.
• Experience working in or alongside an FAA Organization Designation Authorization (ODA) environment.
• Program leadership spanning schedule, cost, risk, technical performance, suppliers, certification, and delivery.
• Experience taking aircraft modifications, new products, or development programs from definition/design through certification and delivery.
• Strong cross-functional leadership and the ability to influence teams without formal authority.
• Customer-facing experience, particularly with executive, government, military, or high-value aircraft customers.
• Budgeting, forecasting, financial governance, and preferably Earned Value Management (EVM) experience.
• Familiarity with PLM and ERP systems.
• Defense, special-mission, business-jet, or complex Part 25 aircraft experience is highly desirable.