Leads a major airborne communications modernization program, overseeing technical execution, cost, schedule, risk, contracts, customer relationships, aircraft modification, avionics integration, testing, certification, cybersecurity, logistics, and sustainment. Supervises multidisciplinary engineering and operational teams, subcontractors, and partners while managing government and international stakeholder engagement. Requires extensive aerospace or defense experience, aircraft integration expertise, and an active Secret clearance.
Senior Program ManagerDesired Start Date: 2 weeks prior to award, or no later than 2 weeks after awardLocation: Oklahoma City, OK Clearance Requirement: Active Secret Security Clearance required at time of employmentTravel Requirement: Up to 25–35% domestic and international travelRequired QualificationsEducationExperience
- Lead all aspects of program execution and serve as the primary authority for cost, schedule, technical, contractual, and operational performance.
- Develop program strategies, priorities, execution plans, and performance objectives.
- Lead Integrated Product Teams (IPTs), subcontractors, and partner organizations to achieve program goals.
- Ensure successful delivery of aircraft modifications and associated systems in accordance with contractual and customer requirements.
- Direct integration of avionics, communications, mission systems, software, and hardware into existing aircraft platforms.
- Provide leadership for systems engineering activities, requirements management, verification, validation, and technical reviews.
- Oversee aircraft modification efforts, system interoperability, and technical performance throughout the program lifecycle.
- Support airworthiness certification, flight release, ground testing, and flight test activities.
- Monitor program performance using established management processes, metrics, and Earned Value Management (EVM) principles.
- Lead program risk identification, mitigation planning, issue resolution, and recovery actions.
- Ensure compliance with cybersecurity, configuration management, and government acquisition requirements.
- Maintain alignment between technical execution, contractual commitments, and customer expectations.
- Serve as the senior interface with government, industry, and international stakeholders.
- Lead program reviews, customer briefings, and executive presentations.
- Communicate program status, risks, opportunities, and recommendations to senior leadership.
- Foster strong relationships with customers, partners, and cross-functional teams.
- Lead and mentor multidisciplinary teams in a complex defense environment.
- Promote a culture of accountability, collaboration, innovation, and mission success.
- Support staff development and leadership growth across the program organization.
- Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Systems Engineering, Computer Engineering, Avionics Engineering, or a related technical discipline.
- PMP and/or DAWIA certification, preferred.
- 15+ years of experience in aerospace, defense, military aviation, or aircraft modernization programs.
- 10+ years leading complex avionics, aircraft integration, or defense acquisition programs.
- Demonstrated success managing aircraft integration efforts from design through testing, certification, and delivery.
- Experience leading large engineering and systems integration teams supporting government customers valued $35M+.
- Working knowledge of Earned Value Management Systems (EVMS) and project scheduling tools.
- Strong understanding of avionics systems, aircraft integration, systems engineering, flight testing, certification, and defense acquisition processes.
- Excellent leadership, communication, problem-solving, and customer relationship management skills.
- Experience with AWACS, ISR, C2, airborne communications, or large aircraft mission systems.
Compensation - Salary
At Fairwinds, we consider many factors when it comes to compensation, including the scope of the position as well as your background and experience. Base pay may vary depending on job-related knowledge, skills, location and experience. Additional incentives may be provided as part of the compensation package, in addition to a range of medical, financial, and/or other benefits.
Position Type/Expected Hours of Work
This is a full time, exempt position.
Work Authorization/Security Clearance:
Must be eligible to work in the US. Must hold an Active DoD Secret Clearance
AAP/EEO Statement
Fairwinds Technologies, LLC is an Equal Opportunity Employer – M/F/Veteran/Disability/Sexual Orientation/Gender Identity
Similar Jobs
Artificial Intelligence • Healthtech • Insurance • Mobile • Financial Services
Build and ship consumer-facing web and mobile experiences across the stack, with a frontend focus. Own features from UX definition through APIs, data models, experimentation, and production deployment. Develop AI-powered healthcare product surfaces, improve frontend performance and accessibility, and collaborate with Product, Design, and engineering teammates to increase user activation and retention.
Top Skills:
AIAmplitudeAWSDatadogDockerGraphQLLlmsNestjsNext.JsPostgresPulumiReactReact NativeSentryTemporalTypescript
Healthtech • Insurance • Sales • Software
Own Spark’s unit economics, forecasting, annual planning, KPI target-setting, capital analysis, investor and board models, and new business-line modeling. Transform commission and enrollment data into repeatable financial analyses, connect operating drivers to revenue and cash flow, and provide executives with clear recommendations. Partner with sales, operations, product, data, and an outsourced finance team to improve reporting and financial decision-making.
Top Skills:
Ai ToolsHexPower QueryPythonSnowflakeSQL
.png)
Logistics • Sales • Software • 3PL: Third Party Logistics
Own pricing for partial truckload, refrigerated LTL, and expedited freight bids. Analyze shipment and market data, establish lane costs and capacity assumptions, apply margins, validate carrier capacity, and submit accurate customer RFPs on deadline. Partner with Business Development, carrier sales, and strategy teams while tracking bid outcomes and improving pricing tools and processes.
Top Skills:
Excel
What you need to know about the NYC Tech Scene
As the undisputed financial capital of the world, New York City is an epicenter of startup funding activity. The city has a thriving fintech scene and is a major player in verticals ranging from AI to biotech, cybersecurity and digital media. It also has universities like NYU, Columbia and Cornell Tech attracting students and researchers from across the globe, providing the ecosystem with a constant influx of world-class talent. And its East Coast location and three international airports make it a perfect spot for European companies establishing a foothold in the United States.
Key Facts About NYC Tech
- Number of Tech Workers: 549,200; 6% of overall workforce (2024 CompTIA survey)
- Major Tech Employers: Capgemini, Bloomberg, IBM, Spotify
- Key Industries: Artificial intelligence, Fintech
- Funding Landscape: $25.5 billion in venture capital funding in 2024 (Pitchbook)
- Notable Investors: Greycroft, Thrive Capital, Union Square Ventures, FirstMark Capital, Tiger Global Management, Tribeca Venture Partners, Insight Partners, Two Sigma Ventures
- Research Centers and Universities: Columbia University, New York University, Fordham University, CUNY, AI Now Institute, Flatiron Institute, C.N. Yang Institute for Theoretical Physics, NASA Space Radiation Laboratory
