Aviation Program Manager Jobs in Virginia (NOW HIRING)

Position Summary: The Business Capture Program Manager serves as the program management function bridging business development and program execution. Operating at the concept and planning phases of the opportunity lifecycle, this role ensures execution readiness, resource alignment, and program planning are built into pursuits before contract award so that when a deal closes, a viable program plan, executable cost baseline, and aligned stakeholders are already in place.

This role reports to the Director of Engineering and PMO. The Business Capture Program Manager works closely with business development, proposals, pricing, contracts, operations, maintenance, engineering, and partner organizations (including delivery and technology partners). This is not a program execution role; it is a front-end program management role that hands a structured and aligned program baseline to the executing Program Manager at the time of contract award.

Responsibilities

Concept and Planning Phase Program Management

• Represents program management in gate reviews, opportunity reviews, and program development alignment meetings
• Works with business development during the concept and planning phases to translate emerging opportunities into mission concepts and program plans
• Aligns team readiness to pipeline maturity so that execution demand is matched to the team’s capacity before contract award
• Engages selectively on larger and strategically significant pursuits including integrated solutions and partnered offerings

Requirements Capture and Translation

• Translates customer requirements (mission profiles, payloads, schedules, regulatory constraints) into execution plans
• Works with the proposal team to ensure execution requirements and program plans are accurately reflected within larger proposals
• Coordinates with engineering, operations, maintenance, technology partners, and teammates to surface and resolve gaps, risks, or conflicting requirements before program execution commit

Cross-Functional Readiness

• Aligns capacity and readiness to support pipeline demand across internal stakeholders and external partners
• Coordinates the execution support ecosystem to include: operations, maintenance, engineering, technology partners, and delivery partners so that program requirements are understood and resourced
• Maintains visibility into downstream implications of contract terms, scope changes, and pricing assumptions, without owning contract negotiation, pricing, or program execution

Cost and Schedule Baseline Development

• Supports the pricing team to ensure cost volumes reflect execution requirements so that cost and margin targets from the delivery side are accurately represented
• Partners with the pricing team to identify delivery cost drivers and pricing differentials tied to scope and program scale (e.g. develops complexity factors based on knowledge of previous program history and complexity of the program being estimated)
• Ensures a Performance Measurement Baseline (PMB) is established at contract award that aligns with PMO processes and standards

Proposal-to-Execution Handoff

• Leads the transition from contract award to program execution
• Supports program kickoff (led by the executing program manager) by ensuring stakeholders share a clear understanding of mission objectives, constraints, and the execution plan
• Confirms documentation, program plan, and resource alignment are complete and accurate before handoff
• Serves as the program management point of contact for business development, proposals, and pricing throughout the pre-award lifecycle
• Provides status, escalates issues, and surfaces delivery risk to the appropriate stakeholders

Process Development

• Identifies and addresses inefficiencies in the opportunity-to-program handoff
• Develops and standardizes processes for requirement capture, execution planning, and program intake
• Tracks metrics tied to pre-award program quality to ensure requirement clarity, baseline accuracy, handoff completeness, and post-award schedule and cost performance against pre-award baselines
• Communicates lessons learned back into business development and the PMO to improve future captures

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Engineering, Aviation Management, or a related field (or equivalent experience)
• 10+ years of program management experience, with demonstrated experience supporting business development and proposal efforts
• Demonstrated business acumen and ability to work at the program, financial, and customer levels of a pursuit
• Track record of stakeholder alignment across business development, operations, engineering, and external partners
• Strong working knowledge of program planning, cost and schedule baseline development, and gate review processes
• Familiarity with aviation operations, including aircraft capabilities, scheduling, and maintenance considerations
• Familiarity with FAA regulations (or applicable governing bodies) and aviation safety practices
• Demonstrated experience operating in a high-reliability, safety-critical environment
• Excellent communication, organization, and problem-solving skills

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with government contracting capture methodologies (e.g., Shipley-aligned processes)
• Experience supporting special missions (ISR, aerial survey, or government contracts)
• Experience with integrated solutions and partnered/teamed pursuits
• Familiarity with aviation maintenance planning systems and production scheduling tools
• Program Management certification (PMP, PgMP, or similar)

Additional Requirements

• Ability to travel as required, up to 25%
• Ability to sit, stand, and work at a computer for extended periods
• Ability to obtain and maintain required security clearances

Working Conditions

Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM. Flexible work hours may be required to support operations across multiple time zones