Senior Program Director

Job Summary

General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI) is seeking a Senior Director to lead the growth, development, and execution of the FQ-42 Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) business.

The Senior Director will oversee major program and business-development activities spanning advanced aerospace systems, technology development, production, and future growth opportunities. This role is responsible for coordinating cross-functional teams, managing program objectives, supporting customer and partner engagements, and ensuring technical, schedule, quality, business, and financial goals are achieved.

The successful candidate will provide strategic leadership across all phases of program development, from early concept and planning through delivery and transition to follow-on opportunities.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Oversee major program activities from conceptualization through completion, including planning, acquisition, execution, delivery, and transition.
• Establish and manage program plans, schedules, budgets, delivery methods, and performance objectives across multiple products, sites, and functional organizations.
• Develop and implement near-term and long-range technical, schedule, quality, business, and financial objectives in coordination with executive leadership.
• Coordinate the development, testing, integration, production, and delivery of advanced aerospace products, components, and systems.
• Lead cross-functional teams that may include engineering, operations, manufacturing, supply chain, finance, contracts, legal, quality, security, and business development.
• Provide senior-level leadership on program strategy, technical direction, resource allocation, risk management, and issue resolution.
• Represent GA-ASI in approved engagements with customers, partners, industry organizations, and government stakeholders.
• Serve as a primary spokesperson for assigned program matters and lead program reviews addressing cost, schedule, technical performance, quality, and customer commitments.
• Direct or influence the development of proposals, business plans, statements of work, specifications, operating budgets, and contract terms.
• Support contract negotiations, modifications, and other acquisition activities in coordination with Contracts, Legal, Finance, and other responsible organizations.
• Identify and develop new business opportunities and expansion opportunities associated with current and emerging capabilities.
• Support strategic partnerships, alliances, and other business arrangements that may expand company capabilities or create new products, programs, and markets.
• Establish accountability for program milestones, commitments, risks, and corrective actions.
• Ensure the appropriate allocation of resources and timely resolution of issues affecting program performance.
• Build, lead, and develop the management, professional, and technical talent required to support program execution and future growth.
• Protect proprietary technology and maintain the confidentiality of sensitive business, technical, customer, and program information.
• Perform other duties as assigned or required.

Job Qualifications

• Master’s degree or Ph.D. in engineering, science, business, or a related technical field, or equivalent experience in lieu of education.
• Fifteen or more years of progressively complex experience in program administration, program management, aerospace, defense, engineering, business development, or a related field.
• At least eleven years of experience managing complex programs is preferred.
• Demonstrated experience overseeing programs involving advanced products, systems, technology development, production, testing, integration, or delivery.
• Experience managing technical, schedule, quality, business, and financial objectives across multiple functional organizations or locations.
• Demonstrated understanding of program-management principles, including organization, planning, scheduling, budgeting, risk management, and workload coordination.
• Ability to apply advanced technologies, principles, theories, and concepts to complex program requirements.
• Ability to develop innovative solutions to highly complex technical, operational, and business problems.
• Strong leadership, communication, presentation, negotiation, and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to effectively engage with executive leadership, technical and professional staff, customers, partners, and external stakeholders.
• Demonstrated ability to lead and influence cross-functional teams, including through subordinate management.
• Experience developing proposals, business plans, statements of work, budgets, and contract requirements.
• Ability to make sound decisions in situations where program outcomes may significantly affect business performance.
• Ability to meet applicable security, regulatory, and compliance requirements.
• Ability to travel as required.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with unmanned aircraft, autonomous systems, advanced aircraft, intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance, command and control, or related aerospace and defense technologies.
• Experience leading complex aerospace or defense programs from early development through production, delivery, and follow-on growth.
• Experience supporting customer engagements, program reviews, contract negotiations, and business-development activities.
• Experience developing new markets, expanding existing business, or transitioning advanced technologies into production programs.
• Experience working with multiple sites, customers, partners, suppliers, or external stakeholders.
• Familiarity with aerospace and defense acquisition processes, government contracting, export controls, and applicable security requirements.
• Experience mentoring and developing program-management, engineering, business-development, or other technical personnel.
• Formal program-management, capture-management, or business-development certification.

• Internal Title: Program Manager VI
• Experience Level: Senior (8+ years)
• Full-Time/Part-Time: Full-Time Salary
• Workstyle: Onsite
• Pay Range Low: 191,000
• Pay Range High: 334,250
• Job Category: Program/Project Management
• Travel Percentage Required: 0% - 25%
• Relocation Assistance Provided?: Yes
• Clearance Required?: Yes
• US Citizenship Required?: Yes
• Clearance Level: Secret
• Employee Referral Bonus Amount: 1000.00