Program Manager, Aircraft

The role

You will own research programs end to end and partner with the Director of PMO to run the aircraft program. You will manage cost, schedule, scope, risk, and customer relationships for aircraft design, build, and testing.

What you will do

• Own research programs end to end as the primary point of contact for government program managers and contracting teams
• Drive program execution on the aircraft program from design reviews through flight test
• Build and maintain the integrated master schedule (IMS)
• Own budgets and burn, track against funding, and flag variance
• Deliver contract requirements including CDRLs, monthly status, financial reports, and technical reports
• Run the program cadence including weekly reviews, technical interchange meetings, and milestone reviews
• Run the risk, issue, and opportunity process and drive mitigations
• Coordinate engineering, manufacturing, supply chain, quality, and flight test
• Manage scope changes, contract modifications, and follow-on work
• Build PMO tools and processes

Required qualifications

• 7+ years of program management
• At least 4 years owning cost, schedule, and technical performance on aircraft, UAS, or other aerospace and defense hardware programs
• 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
• Working knowledge of government contract execution: CDRLs, funded vs. ceiling value, modifications, and customer reporting
• Hands-on with IMS development (MS Project, Primavera, Smartsheet or similar), budget tracking, and EVM concepts
• Ability to run several efforts at once and make clear priority calls
• Clear, direct communicator
• U.S. person status as defined by ITAR
• Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. security clearance

Nice to have

• Experience working with DoD research labs and innovation organizations
• Program experience on Group 3 to Group 5 UAS, collaborative autonomy, or experimental aircraft
• Experience with OTA, SBIR/STTR, or other rapid acquisition contract vehicles
• Familiarity with airworthiness and flight test planning
• Background at a startup or fast-scaling hardware company
• Active Secret clearance or higher
• PMP or DAWIA Program Management certification

Benefits

• Meaningful equity in a high-growth defense technology company
• Competitive base salary commensurate with experience
• Medical, dental, vision, and 401k
• PTO and paid sick leave
• Monthly wellness stipend
• Daily catered lunch (office)
• Paid parental leave

Before you apply

• Must be a U.S. person as defined by 22 CFR 120.62
• Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. security clearance

About the company

Swarm Aero is building the largest swarming UAV and the most versatile swarming aircraft network in the world. The team has created and exited multiple startups and has aerospace experience from Scaled Composites, Airbus, Archer Aviation, Blue Origin, and Boom Supersonic.