Sr. Technical Program Manager (2026-114)

Astronics; Washington; Hybrid; USD 140,000 - 210,000; Full time

Job summary

Astronics AES in Kirkland, WA is seeking a Senior Technical Program Manager to lead the Airborne Power Control product team. This hybrid/on-site role guides cross-functional engineering teams from inception through production for aircraft electrical power systems across jets, UAVs, and rotorcraft.

The ideal candidate has 5+ years in aerospace program management, strong leadership, and excellent communication skills for technical and commercial stakeholders. Relocation assistance is not available.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering or related technical field required.
• MBA or advanced business degree preferred.
• 5+ years of experience in program management or related technical roles within aerospace.

Responsibilities

• Lead multi-functional technical engineering teams through new product development from inception to production.
• Coordinate cross-functional activities to deliver program commitments on time, within budget, and to technical requirements.
• Provide technical direction and decision-making to resolve issues and maintain momentum.
• Develop a strong technical understanding of assigned products and systems.
• Build and sustain external customer relationships at multiple levels and manage expectations, scope, and changes.
• Prepare program reviews with schedule, cost, technical status, risks, and mitigations.

Skills

Project management

Cross-functional leadership

Aerospace engineering

Customer liaison

Budgeting

Education

Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering

MBA

Job description

Sr. Technical Program Manager (2026-114)

Astronics Subsidiary Advanced Electronic Systems (AES)

Location Kirkland, WA

Description

Astronics Advanced Electronic Systems (AES) is seeking a Senior Technical Program Manager to join our Airborne Power Control (APC) Product Team in Kirkland, WA.

If you have experience with aerospace engineering development projects and can lead multi-functional technical engineering teams through new product development and system integration, we'd like to talk with you.

This is a hybrid / on-site position that offers flexibility to work from home two days per week based on project needs. Candidates local to the greater Seattle/Kirkland, WA area are highly desired. Relocation assistance is not available for this position.

Job Summary

The Senior Technical Program Manager (Sr. TPM) manages the development and implementation of Astronics AES products and services for aircraft electrical power systems serving small to mid-sized business jets, UAVs, and rotorcraft. This role leads cross-functional technical teams and coordinates activities from program initiation through delivery, including planning, directing schedules, and monitoring budgets.

The Sr. TPM is accountable for successfully managing technical direction, cost, and schedule for new aircraft power system development programs, while building strong customer relationships and supporting ongoing company quality and continuous improvement initiatives.

Key Responsibilities

Program & Technical Leadership

• Lead and manage multi-functional technical engineering teams through new product development from inception to production.
• Coordinate cross-functional activities (engineering, operations, supply chain, quality, finance) to deliver program commitments on time, within budget, and to technical performance requirements.
• Provide clear technical direction and decision-making to resolve issues and maintain program momentum.
• Develop and maintain a strong technical understanding of assigned products and systems.

Customer & Contract Management

• Build, manage, and sustain external customer relationships at multiple levels, including technical and commercial stakeholders.
• Manage customer expectations, communications, negotiations, and scope creep to reduce risk to the company.
• Work with customers to define scope of work, project schedules, deliverables, and acceptance criteria.
• Participate in contract and engineering change negotiations to control non-recurring engineering (NRE) costs and schedule impacts.

Communication & Stakeholder Management

• Effectively communicate, verbally and in writing, with engineering, operations, upper management, and external customers.
• Provide clear direction, planning, clarification, guidance, decision status, and issue resolution using email, formal documentation, presentations, and project management tools (e.g., MS Project, Excel, PowerPoint).
• Prepare and present regular program reviews to internal senior management and external customers, summarizing schedule, cost, technical status, risks, and mitigation plans.

Quality, Process Improvement & Cost Management

• Support ongoing company quality initiatives, including process/procedure improvements, cost reduction efforts, and schedule efficiency improvements.
• Coordinate design and process improvements that reduce product cost and improve yield and reliability.
• Monitor program performance metrics and drive corrective actions where needed.

Planning, Proposals & Financial Management

• Develop and manage program plans, budgets, and schedules for development and production phases.
• Lead or support the preparation of technical and commercial proposals, including cost analyses, schedule estimates, and compliance documentation.
• Ensure accurate forecasting of NRE and recurring costs and manage program spending against plan.

Minimum Qualifications

Education

• Bachelor's degree in an engineering discipline (Electrical Engineering or related technical degree) from an accredited institution required.
• MBA or advanced business-related degree preferred.

Experience

• Five (5) or more years of experience in Program Management, Project Engineering, Engineering, Operations, or other relevant technical functions.
• Program management and/or project engineering experience within aerospace engineering development projects.
• Demonstrated experience leading multi-functional technical engineering teams through new product development.

Skills & Attributes

• Extensive customer interface experience, including technical discussions and commercial negotiations.
• Strong project management skills, including planning, scheduling, risk management, and cost control.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to tailor messaging to engineering teams, operations, executives, and customers.
• Proven ability to man