Senior Program Manager

Senior Program Manager

Arlington VA (Hybrid)

Position Summary

The FAAs Brand-New Air Traffic Control System and other initiatives related to Unmanned Aircraft Systems and Advanced Air Mobility are fueling the growth of Thales Airspace Mobility Solutions are expanding our teams in Arlington Virginia and Syracuse New York and seek talented individuals who want to be part of these ambitious initiatives shaping the future of aviation. We are looking for people with a passion for aviation and ready to deliver innovative solutions built to the nations highest safety and security standards. Americas aviation moment is now. Thales has the solutions experience and expertise to execute now. Come join our journey.

Thales is seeking a Senior Program Manager to lead multiple high-visibility mission-critical aviation programs at the forefront of Air Traffic Control (ATC) modernization and Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) integration into the national airspace. This role supports an emerging and transformative sector where Thales serves as a systems-of-systems integrator delivering end-to-end solutions spanning advanced technical architectures airspace automation regulatory evolution and innovative financial models for state and municipal partners.

In this position you will drive program governance execution excellence and stakeholder alignment to ensure the successful delivery of complex multi-site programs across the United States. You will lead integrated planning and execution oversee scope schedule resources and financial performance manage risk and change coordinate cross-functional teams and provide clear executive-level communications playing a critical role in shaping the future of airspace operations and digital aviation.

Regulatory Compliance Requirements

• US - CUI Regulatory Compliance Requirement Must be a US Person as defined in applicable law.

Key Areas of Responsibility

• Serve as the primary customer interface and trusted program representative leading external communications managing expectations delivering formal reviews and overseeing contract lifecycle activities including scope negotiation amendments and change management in alignment with governance and commercial policies.
• Own end-to-end program delivery ensuring performance against contractual requirements customer commitments schedules cost objectives margin targets quality standards and customer satisfaction goals.
• Establish maintain and control the program baseline across scope schedule budget staffing risks and opportunities including integrated scheduling cost forecasting EAC updates metrics dashboards and executive reporting.
• Drive disciplined cost schedule and scope management to protect profitability identify cost-reduction and value-creation opportunities and ensure solutions are cost-effective operationally efficient and value-driven.
• Lead comprehensive risk opportunity and change management through identification quantification mitigation scenario planning escalation and governance of approved changes integrated into the program baseline.
• Structure and lead integrated cross-functional program teams ensuring clear objectives accountability timely information flow strong partnerships across functions effective financial management and support for business development and bid readiness initiatives.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelors degree in Engineering Aviation Systems Business or related discipline with 15 years of progressively responsible program management experience or a Masters degree with 10 years including demonstrated knowledge of the National Airspace System (NAS) and Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) operations integration and regulatory considerations.
• 8 years of experience leading complex technology-driven and mission-critical programs with responsibility for scope schedule cost risk quality and compliance within regulated U.S. Federal Government environments.
• Proven background in contract management including scope control change management contractual compliance and support of proposal and capture activities such as proposal development cost modeling and estimating for large-scale multi-year programs.
• Demonstrated ability to operate independently with full ownership of program execution leading cross-functional teams managing scope and requirements autonomously delegating effectively and holding teams accountable for cost schedule and performance commitments.
• Strong leadership mentoring influencing negotiation and communication skills including delivery of executive-level briefings and customer-facing communications and the ability to operate effectively in multinational multicultural environments across regions functions and time zones.
• Proficiency in program controls tools and risk management including integrated scheduling using MS Project Asana or equivalent platforms; hands-on use of JIRA Confluence or enterprise PM systems; leadership of risk identification mitigation contingency escalation; and execution through transformational and transitional change with awareness of organizational dynamics.

Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States for any employer at the time of hire. This position is not eligible for visa sponsorship or for assuming sponsorship of an employment visa now or in the future.

Preferred Qualifications

• Working knowledge of the national airspace system and/or an understanding of unmanned aircraft systems.
• Experience working on technology-centered programs for US Federal Govt Agencies (with a strong preference for FAA DoD/DoW and/or DHS).
• Over 10 years of experience leading complex technical program management initiatives in highly regulated industries such as aerospace aviation defense or advanced technology with strong preference for managing programs for U.S. Federal agencies including FAA DoD DoT DHS or comparable organizations.
• Advanced end-to-end understanding of the full product development lifecycle from concept and requirements definition through design integration deployment sustainment and demonstrated strategic leadership in product development planning roadmap development cross-functional coordination and execution governance.
• Proven knowledge and experience applying Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR) and Defense Federal Acquisition Regulations Supplement (DFARS) in program execution and contract governance; Project Management Professional (PMP) certification or equivalent industry credential; MBA or equivalent advanced degree supporting strong business financial and strategic decision-making capabilities.
• Experience leading programs in international multicultural matrixed environments with coordination across global teams and stakeholders and working proficiency in French and/or Spanish enabling effective collaboration with international partners and customers.

Special Position Requirements

• Schedule: Either 9/80A (9hrs Mon-Thu 8hrs 2nd Fri Start @ 09:00AM) (United States of America) or USA - 5/40 (8hrs Mon-Fri) (United States of America).
• Physical Environment: Typical office environment.
• Travel: This position may require domestic and international travel up to 20%.
• Regulatory Compliance Requirements: Must be a US Person as defined in applicable law.

If youre excited about working with Thales but not meeting the requirements for this position we encourage you to join our Talent Community!

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We are an equal opportunity employer including disability and veteran status. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex race color religion national origin disability protected Veteran status age or any other characteristic protected by law.

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The reference Total Target Compensation (TTC) market range for this position inclusive of annual base salary and the variable compensation target is between

This reflects how companies in a similar industry and geographic region generally pay for similar jobs. This range helps the Company make pay decisions as one data point among many. Where a position falls within this range is also dependent on other factors including but not limited to the employees career path history competencies skills and performance as well as the companys annual salary budget the customers program requirements and the companys internal equity. Thales may offer additional benefits and other compensation depending on circumstances not related to an applicants status protected by local state or federal law.

(For Internal candidate if you need more information please reach out to your HR Shared Service 1st Point)

Thales provides an extensive benefits program for all full-time employees working 30 or more hours per week and their eligible dependents including the following:

Elective Health Dental Vision FSA/HSA Voluntary Life and AD&D Whole Group Life w/LTC Critical Illness Hospital Indemnity Accident Insurance Legal Plan Identity Theft and Pet Insurance

Retirement Savings Plan after 30 days of employment with a company contribution and a match and with no vesting period

Company paid holidays and Paid Time Off

Company provided Life Insurance AD&D Disability Employee Assistance Plan and Well-being Program