Program Manager Defense Jobs in McKinney, TX (NOW HIRING)

Our core competencies include systems engineering, program management, logistics, production support, aircraft maintenance, and aviation/aerospace services. We were founded in 2015 and since our establishment, we have been attracting the best talent in our fields of interest enabling us to provide cutting-edge solutions and support to our warfighters. We understand and provide expert consultation on weapons systems acquisition programs, maintenance/modernization programs, and sustainment programs. We know defense and we know aircraft systems.
Albers Aerospace is seeking an experienced Program Manager to lead a significant new strategic pursuit: a comprehensive training solution supporting a major U.S. Air Force special mission aircraft program, informally known as Looking Glass. This is a high-visibility role reporting to the Vice President of Programs, with direct exposure to Albers' executive leadership throughout the pursuit and, upon award, full program execution.
The Program Manager will own the training solution scope end-to-end - from capture strategy and proposal development through post-award execution - including complete training curriculum development, flight crew training, mission crew operations training, maintenance training, and the full suite of associated training devices. This individual will build and lead an integrated team of internal training designers, subject matter experts, and specialized subcontractor partners to deliver a turnkey, contractually compliant training solution.
The ideal candidate blends the agility and resourcefulness of a small business operator with the rigor and discipline of a large defense prime - and understands that compliance and speed are not mutually exclusive. Albers is not a bureaucracy and has no interest in becoming one. We need a leader who brings deep training-domain expertise, builds mission-capable teams, moves with urgency, and keeps warfighter readiness at the center of every decision.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
Pursuit & Program Leadership
• Own the training solution scope of the pursuit from opportunity shaping through proposal submittal and, upon award, full program execution.
• Build and manage an integrated program plan, schedule, and budget covering curriculum development, training device fielding, and training delivery services.
Training Program Development & Execution
• Direct development of a complete training curriculum, including all training materials, presentations, and instructional content required to support the program.
• Oversee development and execution of flight training for flight crew, operations training for mission crew, and maintenance training for maintainers.
• Manage design, development, and fielding of the full suite of training devices, including Flight Training Devices, Flight Procedures Trainers, Mission Crew Training Devices, and Computer-Based Training.
Integrated Team Leadership
• Build and lead a multidisciplinary team spanning instructional design, engineering, logistics, and subject matter experts, along with specialized subcontractor partners.
• Drive a culture of accountability, urgency, and warfighter focus across the extended training team.
• Coordinate and integrate subcontractor deliverables into a single, cohesive training solution that meets program schedule and quality requirements.
Customer Interface, Risk & Compliance
• Serve as a key point of contact for training-related discussions with U.S. Government customers and program stakeholders, preparing program reviews and status briefings.
• Develop and manage program risk registers, mitigation plans, and corrective actions; ensure full compliance with FAR, DFARS, ITAR, and contract-specific requirements throughout pursuit and execution.
Business Development & Capture Support
• Support capture efforts and proposal development for the training solution, including technical approach, management plans, past performance narratives, and basis-of-estimate documentation.
• Contribute training-domain expertise to competitive positioning and pricing strategy.
• Represent Albers' training capabilities in customer engagements and teaming discussions as needed.
QUALIFICATIONS
REQUIRED
PREFERRED / DESIRED
Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Engineering, Military Science, Education, Instructional Design, or a related field
Master's degree or equivalent advanced education; PMI PMP or DAU Program Management Level III certification
Minimum 8 years of progressive program management experience, including direct support to Department of Defense training programs
12+ years with increasing responsibility managing DoD training or aircrew/mission systems training programs
Demonstrated experience managing training program lifecycles, including curriculum development, instructional systems design (ISD/ADDIE), and training device development
Specific U.S. Air Force training program experience, including special mission aircraft, ISR, or similarly complex platforms. Fighter Weapons School Instructor is a plus.
Proven ability to build and lead cross-functional and subcontractor teams delivering complex, multi-element training solutions
Experience developing and fielding a full suite of training devices (Flight Training Devices, Flight Procedures Trainers, Mission Crew Training Devices, CBT)
Experience managing program budgets, Estimates at Completion (EACs), cost reporting, and supporting proposal development and pricing for DoD training or aircraft programs
Direct experience supporting capture efforts and writing winning proposals and basis-of-estimate documentation; familiarity with EVMS/IPMDAR reporting
Active U.S. DoD Secret Security Clearance required
Ability to obtain and maintain Top Secret clearance
LEADERSHIP COMPETENCIES & CULTURAL FIT
Albers Aerospace is not a slow-moving bureaucracy - nor do we intend to become one. We are building something enduring for the warfighter, and we need a Program Manager who embodies the following:
• Warfighter Focus - Every decision is made with mission readiness in mind. You understand who ultimately depends on Albers' training solutions and you keep that commitment central to your work.
• Builder's Mentality - You thrive building a training solution and a program from the ground up, creating structure and discipline without waiting for perfect conditions.
• Compliance Without Bureaucracy - You know how to run FAR/DFARS-compliant programs that move fast. You will not gold-plate processes or let compliance be an excuse for slow execution.
• Training Domain Expertise - You bring deep, credible knowledge of how DoD and USAF training programs are built and delivered, and you translate that expertise into a solution customers trust.
• Accountability & Collaboration - You own outcomes, not excuses, and hold your team and subcontractor partners to commitments. Albers is a team of teams, and you work fluidly across engineering, business development, and contracts without territorial friction.
WHY THIS ROLE
This is an opportunity to lead one of Albers' most strategically significant pursuits - a comprehensive training solution supporting a major U.S. Air Force special mission aircraft program. You will have real authority, high executive visibility, and the chance to shape how Albers builds and delivers training capability.
• Lead a high-visibility, strategic pursuit from the ground up, with direct executive sponsorship.
• Shape Albers' training solution capability and help establish the company's presence in the DoD training and readiness domain.
• Competitive compensation commensurate with experience, including performance incentives tied to program and company milestones.
• ABOUT ALBERS AEROSPACE
• Albers Aerospace is a rapidly growing, mission-driven aerospace and defense company serving the United States Government and its allies. From precision manufacturing and munitions systems integration to FAA Part 145 special mission aircraft modifications, ISR technology, laser systems, missile guidance R&D, and specialized container fabrication, Albers operates across the full spectrum of defense manufacturing under more than 20 NAICS codes.
• We are in an aggressive and sustained growth phase - more than doubling revenue year over year - and we are building the organizational infrastructure to match our ambition. Our culture is warfighter-first: every program, every product, and every deliverable ultimately serves those who defend our nation. We are headquartered in McKinney, TX with operations in Grand Prairie, TX; Tucson, AZ; Accident, MD; Hayden, ID; Amarillo, TX; and a growing special mission aircraft modification center in McKinney, TX.
Albers Aerospace, LLC|CAGE: 1FAG2|www.albers.aero
Albers Aerospace is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, or veteran status. U.S. Citizenship required.
This position may require access to information subject to U.S. export control laws including ITAR and EAR.