Aviation Program Manager Jobs in Wichita, KS (NOW HIRING)

At PDS Tech Commercial, in partnership with a global leader in aviation, we are seeking a Senior Professional, Human Factors Engineering – Flight Deck Design to help define the next generation of cockpit safety, usability, and pilot experience. This is a high-impact role where engineering, cognitive science, and human-centered design converge to influence how pilots interact with some of the world’s most advanced aircraft.

You will join a team supporting a company recognized for designing, building, and maintaining peak-performing aircraft for discerning customers across business aviation, government, and defense sectors.

In this role, you will conceptualize, design, evaluate, and support certification of Flight Deck Human-Machine Interfaces (HMI). Your work will directly influence cockpit safety, workload efficiency, situational awareness, and overall pilot experience. By applying cognitive ergonomics and user-centered design principles, you will help ensure that flight deck systems meet the highest standards of usability, performance, and regulatory compliance.

This is not just a design role—it is a critical contributor to flight safety, certification readiness, and the evolution of modern aviation interfaces.

• Apply cognitive ergonomics to design, test, and analyze Human-Machine Interfaces (HMI)

• Support requirements development, task analysis, and human error analysis activities

• Develop flight deck simulations, prototypes, and usability models

• Plan and execute human factors evaluations, experiments, and validation activities

• Conduct scenario-based flight deck and UX evaluations aligned with aircraft philosophy

• Engage directly with flight crews to assess cockpit usability (physical and cognitive)

• Create and maintain documentation for human factors activities across programs

• Support certification efforts, including regulatory compliance (e.g., 14 CFR Part 25.1302 and related standards)

• Collaborate across multiple aircraft programs and engineering platforms

• Contribute to sustaining programs and significant cockpit modification initiatives

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or Science

• Degree or formal training in Cognitive Ergonomics, Psychology, Industrial Design, or equivalent

• ~10 years of experience in cognitive ergonomics and human factors within aerospace or related industries

• Strong understanding of:

  • Cognition, perception, decision-making, workload, situation awareness, and human error

  • Physical ergonomics (anthropometry, reach, strength, vision)

• Experience in aerospace systems, flight operations, and regulatory environments

• Familiarity with design and aviation standards (e.g., MIL-STD, SAE ARP, ARINC)

• Strong technical writing and verbal communication skills (English required; French an asset)

• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a dynamic engineering environment

• Self-motivated, resourceful, and comfortable working independently or in a team setting

• Experience with flight deck design or avionics HMI development

• Hands-on experience with simulation or prototyping tools

• Exposure to certification processes and regulatory engagement

• Strong UX design or human-centered design background in aviation contexts

• Experience collaborating directly with pilots or flight test crews

You will be part of a team that defines excellence in aviation. Every day, you will contribute to designing aircraft that operate at the highest level of performance, safety, and customer experience.

We believe the best results come from empowered people. That means supporting your growth, valuing your expertise, and giving you the freedom to bring your unique perspective to complex engineering challenges.

You will join a culture built on:

• High-performance engineering and innovation

• Collaboration across global aviation programs

• Continuous learning and professional development

• Respect for individuality and technical excellence

Benefits (Direct Placements Only):

• Insurance plans (medical, dental, life, disability, and more)

• Competitive base salary

• Retirement savings plan

• Employee Assistance Program

• Telehealth Program

• Primary locations:

  • Wichita

• Hybrid work model: 2 days per week onsite (subject to change)

• Employment types available: contractor, contract-to-hire, or direct placement

If you are passionate about human factors engineering, aviation safety, and designing intuitive flight deck experiences that directly impact pilot performance and aircraft excellence, we want to hear from you.

Submit your profile through PDS Tech Commercial and take the next step in shaping the future of flight deck design.

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Massachusetts Candidates Only: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Every year, PDS Tech Commercial and PDS Defense place thousands of skilled trades and engineering associates into roles all across the nation. Since our founding in 1977, we have maintained the highest standard of service and satisfaction among both talent and clients.

Today, we continue to deliver exceptional services as a proud member of The Adecco Group (TAG) family, a leading global workforce solutions provider. What does this mean for you? We are united by a powerful mission: making the future work for everyone. We offer our local experience paired with global resources, bringing significant advantages to all our areas of expertise. From end-to-end digital recruitment to priority redeployment and beyond, we are committed to building a better world of work for all.