Lead Program Manager
Acron Aviation · Phoenix, AZ ·
- Work mode
- Onsite
- Seniority
- Lead
- Category
- Project management
- Experience
- 10+ years
About Acron Aviation (Avionics – Surveillance):
Acron Aviation designs, engineers, and manufactures certified avionics systems that support safety-critical flight operations across commercial and military aviation. Within Avionics, the Surveillance product line develops and sustains systems that enable aircraft awareness, collision avoidance, and airspace interoperability. Our portfolio includes TCAS, Mode S transponders, ADS-B, and integrated surveillance solutions deployed across commercial, military, and rotorcraft platforms. This work is performed in highly regulated environments and demands deep expertise across systems, hardware, software, certification, and program execution throughout the full product lifecycle.
Position Summary
Acron Aviation seeks an elite Lead Program Manager to lead the full lifecycle development of next-generation Surveillance systems within our Avionics Division. This is a senior individual contributor and cross-functional leadership role designed for a seasoned development program manager with experience delivering complex, safety-critical avionics programs from concept through certification and into production.
The successful candidate will own program strategy, cost, schedule, and technical performance for multiple concurrent avionics development efforts while serving as the primary interface to executive leadership, customers, suppliers, and strategic partners. This role requires strong business acumen, executive communication skills, and the ability to drive disciplined execution across a matrixed engineering organization.
Program Leadership & Governance:
- Own end-to-end program management for avionics development programs, including IRAD, CRAD, and customer-funded efforts
- Establish and maintain Integrated Master Plans (IMP) and Integrated Master Schedules (IMS) spanning hardware, software, systems engineering, and certification activities
- Drive Earned Value Management (EVM) discipline and monitor cost and schedule performance through CPI and SPI metrics
- Provide variance analysis, recovery planning, and corrective action recommendations to leadership
- Lead major program reviews including PDR, CDR, TRR, FCA, and PCA
- Prepare and deliver executive-level and customer-facing program reviews
- Identify, assess, and manage program risks and opportunities through structured RAID processes
Avionics Development Program Execution:
- Direct development of integrated Surveillance systems through full DO-178C, DO-254, ARP4754A, and ARP4761 development lifecycles
- Partner with Chief Engineers and Systems Architects to establish requirements management strategies and interface control documentation
- Coordinate execution across hardware, embedded software, systems engineering, test and verification, certification, and airworthiness teams
- Manage supplier and subcontractor performance, including Statements of Work, reviews, and technical deliverables
- Support make-versus-buy decisions in coordination with supply chain stakeholders
- Lead certification program planning and coordination activities
Stakeholder & Customer Engagement:
- Serve as the primary program interface for customers and strategic partners
- Lead customer-facing program reviews, Integrated Product Teams (IPTs), and Technical Interchange Meetings (TIMs)
- Support proposal development, Basis of Estimate (BOE) reviews, should-cost analyses, and gate reviews
- Coordinate with Contracts, Legal, Finance, and Export Compliance teams to ensure program execution aligns with applicable requirements
Talent, Culture & Continuous Improvement:
- Mentor junior and mid-level program managers
- Champion continuous improvement initiatives, lean program management practices, Agile/hybrid development methodologies, and digital engineering adoption
- Support development of program management standards, templates, processes, and best practices
- Promote accountability, execution discipline, and operational excellence across program teams
Basic Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Technical Management, or a related discipline from an accredited institution
- Minimum 10 years of progressive program management, product line leadership, or business leadership experience in aerospace, avionics, or a similarly regulated industry
- Demonstrated experience owning business performance for fielded products, including margin management, production support, customer support, and cross-functional issue resolution
- Experience managing customer-facing business rhythms with OEMs, operators, suppliers, or strategic partners
- Strong financial acumen, including forecasting, revenue management, margin analysis, cost control, and business case development
- Excellent executive communication and customer engagement skills
- Strong command of program management fundamentals including planning, risk management, performance monitoring, and recovery execution
- Ability to lead through influence across a matrixed organization
- Working knowledge of continuous improvement methodologies, product lifecycle governance, and structured problem-solving techniques
Preferred Qualifications:
- MBA or advanced degree in Business, Engineering, or Technical Management
- Experience in avionics, surveillance systems, or safety-critical aerospace products
- Prior responsibility for obsolescence management, repair strategy, spares planning, or sustaining engineering for fielded products
- PMP certification or equivalent program management credential
- Experience leading large-scale development programs through certification and production transition
- Familiarity with FAA, EASA, military airworthiness, and aerospace regulatory environments
Equal Opportunity Statement
Acron Aviation is proud to be an Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to treating all employees and applicants with respect and dignity and to maintaining a workplace free from unlawful discrimination. All applicants will be considered for employment regardless of race, color, religion, age, national origin, ancestry, ethnicity, gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, or other related medical conditions), gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, marital status, veteran status, disability, genetic information, citizenship status, or any other legally protected characteristic.
Additional Information:
Acron Aviation maintains a drug-free workplace and conducts pre-employment substance abuse testing and background checks, where allowed by law. Acron Aviation is an E-Verify employer.