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Aviation Program Manager Jobs in Wayland, MI (NOW HIRING)

U.S. Navy

Aviation Officer

Grand Rapids, MI · On-site

  • Medical

  • Retirement

  • PTO

In addition to that, you manage hundreds of personnel, making this a job that requires a level of ... Navy College Program * VOLED Assistance Center * VOLED Region Advisors * Navy War College (NWC)

U.S. Navy

Aviation Officer

Allendale, MI · On-site

  • Medical

  • Retirement

  • PTO

In addition to that, you manage hundreds of personnel, making this a job that requires a level of ... Navy College Program * VOLED Assistance Center * VOLED Region Advisors * Navy War College (NWC)

U.S. Navy

Aviation Officer

Kalamazoo, MI · On-site

  • Medical

  • Retirement

  • PTO

In addition to that, you manage hundreds of personnel, making this a job that requires a level of ... Navy College Program * VOLED Assistance Center * VOLED Region Advisors * Navy War College (NWC)

Acron Aviation

Principal, Contracts Manager

Grand Rapids, MI · On-site

$85K - $114K/yr

Acron Aviation designs, engineers, and manufactures certified avionics systems that support safety ... with Legal, Finance, Program, Sales, and Operations teams to close deals efficiently and ...

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All JobsAviation Program JobsAviation Program Manager JobsAviation Program Manager Jobs in Wayland, MI

Aviation Program Manager information

See Wayland, MI salary details

$60.1K

$89.9K

$121.1K

How much do aviation program manager jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 18, 2026, the average yearly pay for aviation program manager in Wayland, MI is $89,855.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $82,600.00 and $94,400.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is an aviation program manager?

Aviation Program Managers are professionals responsible for planning, coordinating, and overseeing aviation-related projects or programs within organizations such as airports, airlines, or government agencies. Their duties often include managing budgets, ensuring regulatory compliance, coordinating teams, and achieving project milestones. They play a critical role in ensuring that aviation operations run smoothly, safely, and efficiently, often acting as the link between technical teams, management, and stakeholders. Strong leadership, organizational skills, and knowledge of aviation regulations are essential for this role.

What does an aviation program manager do?

An aviation program manager is supposed to plan projects, assess the cost and schedule, find solutions to engineering problems, and oversee the project from beginning until final delivery. Your duties as an aviation program manager require you to understand many different aspects of aviation and aerospace engineering. You must also be well-versed in the business and revenue side of aviation, as well as the regulations around air transport. As a program manager, your responsibilities also include recruiting teams for projects, managing deadlines and schedules, reviewing technical specifications, and ensuring that your team finishes the deliverables on time.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an aviation program manager?

To thrive as an Aviation Program Manager, you need expertise in project management, aviation regulations, and operations, often supported by a relevant degree and certifications like PMP or Six Sigma. Familiarity with aviation management software, risk assessment tools, and compliance systems is typically required. Strong leadership, organizational, and communication skills help coordinate teams and manage complex projects effectively. These skills ensure safe, compliant, and efficient execution of aviation programs in a highly regulated and dynamic environment.

What are some common challenges faced by aviation program managers, and how can they be addressed?

Aviation Program Managers often encounter challenges such as managing complex stakeholder expectations, ensuring regulatory compliance, and coordinating cross-functional teams on tight deadlines. To address these, effective communication, proactive risk management, and maintaining up-to-date knowledge of aviation regulations are essential. Building strong relationships with regulatory agencies and fostering a collaborative team environment can also help navigate these challenges smoothly.

What is the difference between Aviation Program Manager vs Aviation Project Coordinator?

AspectAviation Program ManagerAviation Project Coordinator
CredentialsTypically requires a bachelor's degree in aviation, engineering, or related field; certifications like PMP or FAA licenses are commonUsually requires a bachelor's degree; certifications are less common but may include project management or aviation safety
Work EnvironmentOversees multiple projects and programs within airlines, airports, or aerospace companiesSupports specific projects, coordinating tasks and schedules within larger programs
Employer & Industry UsageUsed by airlines, aerospace firms, and government agencies managing large-scale aviation initiativesFound in similar settings, focusing on supporting project execution in aviation organizations

The Aviation Program Manager focuses on overseeing multiple aviation projects and strategic initiatives, requiring broader management skills. In contrast, the Aviation Project Coordinator handles specific project tasks, supporting the program's success. Both roles are essential in aviation organizations but differ in scope and responsibilities.

More about Aviation Program Manager jobs

What cities near Wayland, MI are hiring for Aviation Program Manager jobs?

Cities near Wayland, MI with the most Aviation Program Manager job openings:

Aviation Program Manager jobs near you

In‑Service Program Manager (ISPM)

Acron Aviation

Grand Rapids, MI • On-site

Full-time

Re-posted 24 days ago

Job description

At Acron, our ambition is to relentlessly reimagine and reshape the value chains through which we deliver results to our customers, suppliers, and internal/external stakeholder communities, in pursuit of innovations that create safer skies. Acron employees strive to achieve world-class results through our values: always putting our customers first, taking ownership of our results, moving fast, and speaking candidly. We currently seek an In-Service Program Manager who thrives in complex, cross-functional environments, is highly skilled in applying project management disciplines, continuous improvement, and lean manufacturing, and works seamlessly across a variety of functional teams to achieve our vision. This position is part of the Acron Avionics Business Unit and will be in Grand Rapids, MI. The role requires the selected candidate to work on-site during the first shift hours.
The In-Service Program Manager (ISPM) is accountable for the performance of assigned avionics products and customer programs after Production Readiness Review (PRR). The role is accountable for the end-to-end lifecycle performance from Entry-Into-Service (EIS) through Full-Rate Production (FRP), maturity, and sunset/EOL, with full accountability for customer satisfaction, product roadmap execution, operations, and engineering performance KPIs and financial measures, including EBITDA and cash.
The ISPM leads a cross-functional Integrated Product Team (IPT) and serves as the primary customer interface and escalation owner, ensuring safe, reliable, compliant, and profitable in-service execution. The ISPM brings the discipline and rigor of project management into the execution of projects required to deliver upon product strategy and customer requirements. In-service programs include, but are not limited to, obsolescence redesigns, value engineering projects, product yield improvement initiatives, test equipment projects, and a variety of activities related to KPI improvements. Candidates must be agile and adept at creating project charters and business cases, defining requirements, integrated project planning, resource loading, risk and opportunity planning, and conducting lessons learned.
Key Responsibilities:
Product Line Business & Financial Ownership
    • Responsible for ensuring product line Sales, EBITDA, and Cash performance for assigned in-service products through enabling efficient and effective operational performance
    • Translate business plans into actionable work packages and projects plans
    • Support annual product profitability reviews (3-5-year outlook, risks, inventory/LTB, investments, roadmap, and strategic recommendations)

In-Service Execution & IPT Leadership
    • Organize and lead daily/weekly IPT execution for all projects and monthly In-Service Program Reviews
    • Integrate cross-functional priorities to meet delivery, quality, reliability, and cost commitments
    • Serve as the single point of accountability for issue resolution and escalation.

Customer Management & Voice of the Customer (VOC)
    • Act as the primary customer interface for all in-service matters, including performance reviews and escalations
    • Proactively manage VOC, scorecards, returns, and warranty drivers; translate customer feedback into corrective actions and product roadmap inputs
    • Coordinate contractual communications in partnership with Contracts and Sales

Lifecycle & Gate Governance
    • Assume ownership post-PRRand ensure in-service readiness (shipping/billing, documentation, training, support)
    • Lead LRIP execution and prepare FRP Decision Gate content, including APQP readiness, KPI performance, supplier maturity, ECO/ECR impacts, and financial updates
    • Maintain discipline in change control, baseline management, and lifecycle documentation

Sustaining Engineering & In-Service Projects
    • Own the sustaining project portfolio (e.g., obsolescence, cost reduction, test improvements, reliability and quality fixes)
    • Govern tailored project gates (Kickoff, Baseline, Design Review, TRR, PRR, Closeout)
    • Ensure scope, schedule, cost, and benefits realization with documented lessons learned

Quality, Reliability & Return-to-Green (RTG) Leadership
    • Lead RTG plans when KPIs fall below target (delivery, escapes, warranty, cost, cash)
    • Drive corrective actions across internal functions and suppliers (CARs/SCARs)
    • Champion continuous improvement (Lean) and value engineering across the in-service lifecycle

Sunset / End-of-Life (EOL) Management
    • Lead EOL business case development in partnership with leadership
    • Coordinate customer communications, last-time buys (LTB), supplier exits, inventory strategy, and transition to replacement products
    • Execute EOL in collaboration with Transition Program Management

Continuous Improvement and Lean Manufacturing
    • Lead and support kaizen events to improve upon KPI and process excellence
    • Apply value stream thinking to reduce lead time, WIP, and variation
    • Drive process and documentation simplification

Required Qualifications
    • Bachelor's degree in Business, Engineering, Operations, or related field
    • Program/project management experience leading cross-functional teams through execution, production, and sustainment phases
    • Knowledge of earned value concepts and/or integrated master scheduling principles
    • Demonstrated financial and business acumen with experience driving performance to Sales, EBITDA, and Cash objectives
    • Experience interfacing with customers and managing contractual/program communications in partnership with Contracts and Subcontracts
    • Working knowledge of production readiness, manufacturing/operations processes, supply chain execution, and quality systems
    • Ability to manage multiple complex priorities, establish execution cadence, and drive timely decisions through KPIs
    • Must have experience leveraging Continuous Improvement methodologies to ensure program performance and improve business effectiveness

Preferred
    • Experience in working with SAP/ERP
    • Strong understanding of AS9100 and FAA requirements and regulations.
    • Formal Continuous Improvement, Lean or Six Sigma training.
    • Demonstrated experience implementing process automation and application of AI tools in the manufacturing environment

Equal Opportunity Statement
Acron Aviation is proud to be an Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to treating all employees and applicants with respect and dignity and to maintaining a workplace free from unlawful discrimination. All applicants will be considered for employment regardless of race, color, religion, age, national origin, ancestry, ethnicity, gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, or other related medical conditions), gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, marital status, veteran status, disability, genetic information, citizenship status, or any other legally protected characteristic.
Additional Information:
Acron Aviation maintains a drug-free workplace and conducts pre-employment substance abuse testing and background checks, where allowed by law. Acron Aviation is an E-Verify employer.
We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses and identifying potential inconsistencies or verification signals in application materials based on available information. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.

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