Military Aviation Program Manager Jobs in Rhode Island

At REGENT, we’re on a mission to revolutionize regional transportation between coastal cities. We're not just building vehicles, we're creating a new category of transportation: the Seaglider. These groundbreaking wing-in-ground-effect craft travel just above the water’s surface, combining the speed of an airplane with the low operating costs of a boat. Capable of 180 miles at 180 mph on today's battery tech (and up to 400 miles with next-gen batteries), Seagliders will unlock fast, affordable, and sustainable coastal transit for passengers and cargo - connecting cities, islands, and communities like never before.

Backed by leading investors and powered by a team of passionate, forward-thinking engineers, builders, and operators, we’re now scaling from a breakthrough prototype to full production - and building the team to make it happen.

As Program Manager for Viceroy, you will own the execution of REGENT's flagship Seaglider program - the schedule, the budget, the risks, and the cross-functional machine that turns a vehicle design into reality. You are the single person accountable for how and when the program delivers.

You will partner directly with the Chief Engineer, who owns the vehicle-level technical baseline, in a deliberate split of authority: the CE defines what must be true technically at each milestone; you own delivering it. Together with the VP of Programs, you will drive Viceroy through its major design gates - PDR, CDR - and into build and test.

You'll build and run the program's operating rhythm: the integrated master schedule, the risk and issue process, gate readiness, resource and budget planning, and the reporting that gives leadership an honest picture of where the program stands. You'll also build the program team around you, developing PMO teammates into owners of their own scope.

Success means Viceroy runs on a credible, controlled baseline that every functional lead understands and leadership trusts - and that the program hits its gates without heroics. If you're energized by owning execution on a genuinely new class of vehicle, we'd love to meet you.

• Own Program Execution: Serve as PM of record for the Viceroy Seaglider program. Own the integrated master schedule, budget, and risk posture, and drive the program through PDR, CDR, and toward build and test.

• Build and Run the Program Baseline: Develop a bottom-up, credible IMS with mapped cross-functional dependencies and an actively managed critical path. Control changes to the baseline deliberately and transparently.

• Drive Risk and Issue Management: Run a living program risk process — owners, mitigations, decision dates — that forces decisions early instead of documenting problems late.

• Partner with the Chief Engineer: Operate the CE/PM partnership that runs the program: technical authority with the CE, execution authority with you, and a shared definition of gate readiness.

• Integrate the Cross-Functional Machine: Align Engineering, Manufacturing, Supply Chain, and Certification behind one plan — including long-lead procurement, test campaigns, and certification evidence flow.

• Communicate the Truth: Deliver program statuses that leadership trusts: what's on track, what's at risk, and what decisions or resources are needed — early and without spin.

• Program Leadership Through Design Gates: Deep expertise in managing complex hardware development programs, including serving as PM of record for a vehicle-level program or major integrated system through PDR/CDR or equivalent gates.

• Schedule and Baseline Rigor: Demonstrated ability to build and maintain an integrated master schedule with a managed critical path, and to re-baseline credibly when reality changes.

• Risk Management That Drives Decisions: Track record of running risk processes that changed program outcomes — funded mitigations, descoped content, moved dates — before problems became crises.

• Matrix Leadership: Proven ability to drive functional teams that don't report to you, through credibility, crisp decision framing, and disciplined escalation.

• Regulated Development Experience: Familiarity with how certification or qualification (FAA, EASA, USCG, class societies, military airworthiness, or comparable) shapes program plans, evidence, and test campaigns.

• Technical Fluency: Enough engineering depth to interrogate estimates, dependencies, and test logic across structures, propulsion, and systems — you can't be snowed.

• Collaborative Team Player: You believe great things happen when teams work together. You partner effectively across engineering, manufacturing, certification, and leadership — driving alignment without sacrificing speed.

• Creative Problem Solver: You thrive on bringing structure to ambiguity. You don't just track problems — you develop recovery options and force timely decisions.

• Adaptable & Agile: In a fast-paced, evolving environment, you balance rigor with speed. You know when to add process and when to simplify.

• Innovative Mindset: You're driven by building something that hasn't existed before — and by making the program machine around it better every month.

• Competitive compensation including a robust equity incentive plan.

• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance - we cover 100% of your premiums.

• 401(k) with company matching, so you can plan for the future.

• Generous flexible time off, paid parental leave, and company-wide holiday breaks.

• Relocation packages available for those moving to join our team.

• Daily, free catered lunches

• Learning & professional development opportunities

If you’re ready to take on an exciting challenge, grow with us, and make a lasting impact, we want to hear from you. Even if you don’t meet every requirement, but you see yourself contributing to our mission, we encourage you to apply! We value diverse skillsets and experiences and believe in the potential of passionate individuals to make a big impact.

Equal Opportunity Employer

REGENT is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive work environment. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability, or any other characteristic protected by law.