Program Manager, Advanced Aerospace Systems

Ideal Aerosmith is a leading supplier of precision inertial guidance test systems, flight motion simulators, innovative defense solutions in support of the warfighter, and a premier provider of aerospace test engineering services, ATE system engineering, and quality contract manufacturing services to the aerospace industry. We are experts and earn that title every day through innovative engineering, manufacturing, and sustainment of world‑class aerospace products, systems, and services.

Here, we do not just solve complex problems - we redefine what is possible. Every role at Ideal Aerosmith supports a lean culture through continuous improvement aimed at reducing waste, increasing efficiency, improving customer satisfaction, and enhancing overall performance. With a team of highly skilled engineers, operators, and problem solvers, we are dedicated to our customers' success while delivering innovative solutions to support national security and aerospace advancement.

This position is responsible for overall cost, schedule, and technical performance across assigned programs and serves as the primary interface between engineering, manufacturing, supply chain, operations, business development, customers, and executive leadership. Program assignments may include advanced development efforts, production programs, strategic technology initiatives, flight test campaigns, autonomy programs, unmanned aircraft systems, and other special projects critical to company growth.

The successful candidate will drive program execution from concept development through production and fielding while ensuring alignment with customer requirements, business objectives, and long‑term technology roadmaps.

• Manage cost, schedule, and technical performance across assigned aerospace and defense programs.
• Develop and maintain integrated master schedules, budgets, resource plans, and program execution strategies.
• Lead cross‑functional teams supporting engineering, manufacturing, integration, testing, flight operations, logistics, and sustainment activities.
• Identify program risks and develop mitigation plans to maintain execution objectives.
• Monitor program performance metrics and ensure successful achievement of technical, schedule, and financial milestones.
• Provide recurring status reporting to executive leadership on program health, risks, opportunities, and resource requirements.
• Support strategic planning and long‑range business growth initiatives.

• Lead development, integration, production, and sustainment activities supporting advanced aerospace systems and unmanned aircraft platforms.
• Coordinate engineering development, testing, validation, qualification, and production readiness efforts.
• Support integration of autonomy, communications, propulsion, payload, mission systems, and supporting technologies.
• Coordinate ground testing, flight testing, customer demonstrations, and operational evaluations.
• Support airworthiness, safety, certification, and system qualification activities as required.
• Ensure program execution remains aligned with customer requirements and operational objectives.

• Partner with manufacturing, quality, and supply chain teams to support production planning and scaling activities.
• Coordinate vendor management, supplier performance, and long‑lead procurement efforts.
• Support configuration management, quality assurance, and production process improvement initiatives.
• Drive recurring cost reduction and manufacturability improvements across assigned programs.
• Support transition of systems from development into low‑rate and full‑rate production.
• Assist with production forecasting, capacity planning, and operational execution activities.

• Serve as primary customer interface for assigned programs.
• Lead program reviews, technical interchange meetings, integrated product team meetings, and customer briefings.
• Support proposal development, basis of estimates, rough‑order‑of‑magnitude estimates, and capture activities.
• Assist business development…