Avionics Program Manager Jobs in Texas (NOW HIRING)

SUMMARY:

The Program Manager - Military / Defense Avionics Programs is responsible for managing the daily operations and full lifecycle execution of military and defense-focused product development programs across FreeFlight Systems and Flight Data Systems. Working with engineering, supply chain, quality, operations, and contracts teams in Irving, TX USA, Robinson, TX USA, and the United Kingdom from the Irving, TX location, the Program Manager leads cross-functional integrated product teams (IPTs) developing avionics hardware and software for military rotorcraft, fixed-wing, and unmanned platforms. Programs in this role are subject to airborne software and hardware certification standards (RTCA DO-178C and DO-254), environmental qualification (DO-160 and MIL-STD-810), electromagnetic environmental effects (MIL-STD-461 / MIL-STD-464), aircraft electrical power compatibility (MIL-STD-704 and MIL-STD-1275), system safety (MIL-STD-882), and the program management, documentation, and data-rights requirements typical of DoD and prime-contractor customers. The role does not require access to classified information; however, the Program Manager will routinely handle Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) and technical data subject to the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) and the Export Administration Regulations (EAR), and is responsible for safeguarding that information in accordance with company policy and applicable law.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Manages assigned military and defense product development program(s) and contract(s) independently and with minimal oversight, owning scope, schedule, cost, technical performance, quality, and customer satisfaction
• Leads cross-functional integrated product teams (IPTs) comprised of systems, hardware, software, mechanical, firmware, quality, supply chain, manufacturing, and contracts personnel
• Develops, baselines, and maintains program lifecycle artifacts including Project Charter, Program Management Plan (PMP), Integrated Master Plan (IMP) / Integrated Master Schedule (IMS), Work Breakdown Structure (WBS), Risk and Opportunity Register, Statement of Work (SOW), Subcontract Data Requirements List (SDRL/CDRL) deliverables, and Statement of Compliance
• Plans and tracks programs to applicable airborne certification frameworks, including RTCA DO-178C (software) and DO-254 (complex electronic hardware), and ensures Plan for Software Aspects of Certification (PSAC), Plan for Hardware Aspects of Certification (PHAC), and supporting plans (SDP, SVP, SCMP, SQAP, HDP, HVP, HCMP, HQAP) are produced, reviewed, and executed on schedule
• Coordinates environmental qualification and verification activities to RTCA DO-160 and MIL-STD-810, electromagnetic environmental effects testing to MIL-STD-461 / MIL-STD-464, aircraft electrical power compatibility to MIL-STD-704 and MIL-STD-1275 (and where applicable MIL-HDBK-704), and system safety analyses per MIL-STD-882 and ARP4754A / ARP4761
• Coordinates qualification, first-article inspection (FAI per AS9102), and acceptance testing in accordance with applicable AS9100 quality system requirements, customer-specific quality clauses, and DD-250 / WAWF acceptance procedures
• Estimates and plans programs based on historical trends, basis-of-estimate (BOE) data, and inputs from other business units, applying Earned Value Management (EVM) principles consistent with EIA-748 where contractually required, and reports cost and schedule performance (CPI/SPI, EAC, ETC) to internal and external stakeholders
• Enforces a consistent change management and configuration management process throughout the program lifecycle, including Engineering Change Proposals (ECPs), Class I/II changes, deviation/waiver requests, and customer-approved baseline changes
• Leads program risk and opportunity management, conducting regular risk reviews, maintaining mitigation/contingency plans, and escalating program-level risks to the Senior Engineering Program Manager and executive leadership as appropriate
• Acts as primary point of contact for assigned military and defense customers (DoD program offices, prime contractors, and FMS customers as applicable), and supports proposal development including responses to RFIs, RFPs, RFQs, and Sources Sought notices
• Reviews and negotiates technical scope, schedule, and price for contract modifications, change orders, and follow-on awards in coordination with Contracts Management
• Ensures contractual compliance of assigned program(s), including Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) / Defense FAR Supplement (DFARS) flow-down clauses, Truth in Negotiations Act (TINA) considerations, Buy American / Trade Agreements Act (TAA) requirements, anti-counterfeit parts requirements (DFARS 252.246-7007/7008), Counterfeit Electronic Part Detection and Avoidance Systems, and applicable specialty provisions (REACH, RoHS, conflict minerals)
• Ensures compliance with cybersecurity and information-protection requirements applicable to defense contractors, including DFARS 252.204-7012 (Safeguarding Covered Defense Information and Cyber Incident Reporting), NIST SP 800-171 controls for CUI, and Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) requirements as they apply to assigned programs
• Handles Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) and ITAR/EAR-controlled technical data in accordance with company policy, customer DD Form 254 guidance (where applicable), and applicable U.S. export control law; ensures program team members are properly authorized before access is granted and that data is marked, stored, transmitted, and destroyed appropriately
• Tracks and manages resource loading, manpower estimates, and subcontractor performance for assigned programs
• Tracks budget, schedule, and scope for assigned program(s); provides forecast information and periodic program performance reports to upper management and customer program offices
• Maintains healthy customer, prime-contractor, and supplier relationships as primary point of contact for FreeFlight Systems and Flight Data Systems on assigned program(s) and contract(s)
• Comply with all safety and environmental regulations and works to create and promote a safe working environment
• Adheres to all FreeFlight Systems and Flight Data Systems rules and codes of conduct and quality procedures
• Performs other duties as requested by the Senior Engineering Program Manager to support the Program and Contracts Management team

EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor's Degree in Engineering (Electrical, Aerospace, Systems, Mechanical, or Computer), Business, or a related discipline; Master's degree (MBA, M.S. Systems Engineering, or Engineering Management) preferred
• Minimum of 7 years of direct program or project management experience in avionics, aerospace, or defense electronics product development, with at least 3 years on military or defense programs
• Demonstrated experience managing programs subject to RTCA DO-178 (B or C) and DO-254 certification efforts, including ownership or oversight of certification plans (PSAC/PHAC) and DER/AR coordination
• Demonstrated experience planning and managing environmental and EMI/EMC qualification campaigns to DO-160, MIL-STD-810, and MIL-STD-461 / MIL-STD-464
• Working knowledge of MIL-STD-704 and MIL-STD-1275 aircraft electrical power requirements and their test implications
• Working knowledge of system safety processes per MIL-STD-882, ARP4754A, and ARP4761 (FHA, PSSA, SSA, FMEA/FMECA)
• Working knowledge of FAR / DFARS contract structures, CDRL/SDRL management, DD-250 / WAWF acceptance, and DoD program management practices (familiarity with the DoD 5000 series acquisition framework preferred)
• Working knowledge of DFARS 252.204-7012, NIST SP 800-171, and CMMC and how they apply to defense contractor program execution
• Earned Value Management (EVM) experience consistent with EIA-748 preferred; formal EVM training or certification a plus
• Project Management Professional (PMP) certification or equivalent (PgMP, PRINCE2 Practitioner) strongly preferred
• Familiarity with AS9100 quality management system requirements and AS9102 first-article inspection processes
• Familiarity with anti-counterfeit parts requirements and DMSMS (Diminishing Manufacturing Sources and Material Shortages) management
• Demonstrated ability to lead cross-functional, geographically distributed teams
• Excellent conflict management and resolution skills; demonstrated ability to negotiate scope, schedule, and cost with sophisticated military and prime-contractor customers
• Ability to work independently and with minimal supervision; desire to own programs end-to-end; hunger for responsibility
• Proven ability to convert written and verbal direction into actionable program plans and to pivot constructively when issues arise
• Demonstrated ability to read, analyze, and interpret complex technical documents, statements of work, contracts, and specifications
• Demonstrated ability to write reports, business correspondence, procedure manuals, and customer-facing program documentation
• Demonstrated ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of managers, engineers, customers, and U.S. Government program offices
• Demonstrated ability to apply mathematical and engineering concepts to problem solving
• Demonstrated ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions
• Demonstrated ability to interpret an extensive variety of technical instructions in mathematical or diagram form and deal with several abstract and concrete variables
• Proficiency in computer skills including MS Excel, Word, Project, PowerPoint, and Outlook; familiarity with scheduling tools (MS Project, Primavera P6) and risk-tracking tools
• Familiarity with software and electronic hardware development under DO-178 / DO-254
• Familiarity with aircraft systems and installations on rotary-wing, fixed-wing, and/or unmanned platforms

PERFORMANCE ATTRIBUTES & COMPETENCIES:

Leadership

• Vision & Strategic Thinking: Clear vision for the possible...thinks ahead about outcomes and downstream certification, qualification, and contractual impacts.
• Energy: Exhibits strong desire to achieve success in demanding, milestone-driven defense program environments.
• Problem-Solver: Objectively and logically recognizes and solves problems across technical, schedule, cost, and contractual dimensions.
• Ownership: Treats assigned programs as their own business; accountable for cost, schedule, technical performance, and customer satisfaction.

Interpersonal & Teamwork

• Team Player: Reaches out to overcome challenges; overcomes "we-they" relationships; approachable and earns respect for focus on "company" interests.
• Communication: Speaks confidently and effectively in one-on-one, team, and customer/government settings; writes clearly and concisely; comfortable presenting to senior military and prime-contractor program offices.
• Persuasive: Exhibits persuasiveness in change situations and effectively finds win-win solutions in negotiations with customers and suppliers.

Personal & Intellectual

• Integrity: Sets example; doesn't ethically cut corners; earns trust and respect; demonstrates uncompromising stewardship of CUI and ITAR/EAR-controlled data.
• Intelligence: A "quick study" demonstrates ability to absorb new information rapidly across regulatory, technical, and contractual domains.
• Leading-Edge: Constantly looking for best practice benchmarks across the defense avionics industry.
• Discretion: Exercises sound judgment in determining what information may be shared, with whom, and through what channels.

LANGUAGE SKILLS

Should be able to speak effectively to military, prime-contractor, and U.S. Government customers about avionic products and how they perform, including in formal program reviews (SRR, PDR, CDR, TRR, FCA/PCA). Must possess the ability to write routine reports, customer correspondence, and program documentation, and to author or review CDRL deliverables consistent with applicable Data Item Descriptions (DIDs).

OTHER KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

Have a strong command of computer desktop tools such as MS Office (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Outlook) and scheduling tools (MS Project) to assist in completing essential duties. Effectively demonstrates strong written and verbal communication skills. Must have a willingness to constantly be learning. Ability to develop macros or basic automation within the Microsoft 365 suite of tools. Familiarity with secure collaboration environments meeting NIST SP 800-171 / CMMC requirements (e.g., Microsoft 365 GCC / GCC High) is preferred.

QUALIFICATIONS

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily.

The requirements listed below are representative of the education, knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Must be a U.S. Person as defined under the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), 22 CFR 120.62 (i.e., U.S. citizen, U.S. lawful permanent resident, protected individual under 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3)), as this position requires access to ITAR-controlled technical data.
• Must be able to obtain and maintain authorization to handle Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) and ITAR/EAR export-controlled technical data in accordance with company policy and applicable U.S. law.
• No active U.S. Government security clearance is required at the time of hire. Ability and willingness to obtain a U.S. Government security clearance in the future, if required by program assignment, is preferred.
• Ability to travel domestically and internationally 5-15%, including to military installations, customer program offices, prime-contractor facilities, and qualification test labs (with the understanding that some test campaigns may require extended on-site presence).
• Must successfully complete required pre-employment screening, including background check and any program-specific onboarding required by customer contracts.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

While performing the duties of this job, the individual is occasionally required to stand, walk, sit, use hands to finger, reach with arms and hands, climb stair...