Principal, In-Service Program Manager (ISPM)
Acron Aviation · Phoenix, AZ ·
- Work mode
- Onsite
- Seniority
- Principal
- 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, engineering, operations, customer support, and lifecycle management throughout the full product lifecycle.
Position Summary
Acron Aviation seeks a senior Principal In-Service Program Manager to lead the business and operational performance of a fielded product family within the Avionics Division. This role combines the cross-functional rigor of Development Program Management with full product-family ownership in the in-service environment.
The successful candidate will serve as the P&L owner for the assigned product family, with accountability for gross margin performance, lifecycle cost, obsolescence impacts, customer satisfaction, and resolution of OEM and in-service issues. This leader will work across engineering, operations, supply chain, quality, customer support, finance, and sales to sustain profitable growth, ensure execution excellence, and strengthen customer trust for fielded products.
Business & Product Family Ownership
- Own the business and operational performance of an assigned in-service product family, including product strategy, execution, and lifecycle health
- Serve as the P&L owner for the product family, with accountability for bookings, revenue, gross margin, cash performance, and delivery commitments
- Drive actions to improve profitability through pricing, cost management, product support strategy, and execution discipline
- Lead development of product-family operating plans, performance scorecards, and recovery plans where margin, schedule, or service levels are at risk
In-Service Lifecycle & Customer Support Leadership
- Own the full in-service lifecycle of the product family, including field performance, customer support, sustainment planning, and production support
- Lead cross-functional resolution of OEM and in-service issues, ensuring timely containment, corrective action, communication, and closure
- Manage obsolescence impacts across the product family by aligning engineering, supply chain, operations, and finance on mitigation strategies, redesign priorities, and customer communication
- Ensure aftermarket support, repair, spares, and production activities are aligned to business objectives and customer commitments
Customer, OEM & Cross-Functional Leadership
- Serve as the primary customer-facing leader for fielded products, building trust with OEMs, operators, and channel partners while managing expectations, priorities, and scope
- Lead customer reviews, performance discussions, and business operating rhythms using clear, data-driven communication and action-oriented follow-up
- Coordinate across engineering, operations, quality, finance, contracts, and supply chain to resolve business and technical issues affecting fielded products
- Support proposal, capture, and business case development for sustaining, upgrade, and derivative opportunities related to the product family
Basic Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree in Business, Engineering, Technical Management, or a related discipline from an accredited institution
- 10+ years of progressive program, product line, or business leadership experience in aerospace, avionics, or a similarly regulated technical industry
- Demonstrated experience owning business performance for fielded products, including margin management, customer support, production support, and cross-functional issue resolution
- Experience managing customer-facing business rhythms with OEMs, operators, suppliers, or strategic partners
- Strong financial acumen, including experience with revenue, gross margin, cost management, forecasting, and business case development
- Excellent executive communication and customer engagement skills, with the ability to lead difficult discussions with clarity and credibility
- Strong command of program management fundamentals including planning, risk management, performance monitoring, and recovery execution
- Ability to lead through influence across a matrixed organization and translate strategic priorities into coordinated execution plans
- Working knowledge of continuous improvement, product lifecycle governance, and structured problem-solving methodologies
Preferred Qualifications:
- MBA or advanced degree in Business, Engineering, or Technical Management
- Experience in avionics, surveillance systems, or safety-critical aerospace products serving both OEM and aftermarket customers
- Prior responsibility for obsolescence management, repair strategy, spares planning, or sustaining engineering for fielded products
- PMP or equivalent program management certification
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.