Job Description

At Safran Electronics & Defense Avionics USA, we are driven by innovation, precision, and purpose. As part of the global Safran Group, our culture is built on teamwork, collaboration, and a shared commitment to excellence through our global initiative, Safran Together. Join a passionate team where your contributions make an impact—because at Safran, we move forward together.

Objective:
As a Senior Program Manager, you'll lead the program lifecycle—including requirements V&V through engineering, production and sustainment—for mission-critical Pilot Controls and Cockpit Solutions delivered directly to OEM airframers. You'll be reporting to a Director of Programs and be expected to drive P&L performance, work cross-functionally to deliver program recovery and execution efforts, effectively communicate updates/status to external and internal customers, provide input into strategic business decisions, and work on continuous improvement projects for the Program Management Office. In this role, you will work primarily with Safran's North American based teams, but also collaborate with Safran's global organization on key initiatives and holistic customer programs.

Key Responsibilities
● End-to-End Program Leadership
Responsible for the financial, schedule and technical performance of assigned programs/projects: Leads a cross-functional team through all phases of programs/projects from inception through completion. Guides and controls the establishment of scope, schedule, development and financial plans that will facilitate successful program execution.
● Sustaining Programs Management
Responsible for delivering, as assigned, on the execution and management of existing production programs. This includes: management of line of balance hardware deliveries, mitigating part shortages or production delays, coordinating priorities with operations teams, trouble-shooting yield and technical challenges, and working with customers on prioritization and PO management.
● Government Contract & Compliance Management
Support the Sales Departments' lead of RFP/RFI proposal development and contract negotiations. This role will be responsible to work with Safran Legal & Compliance Teams to manage and document compliance with FAR/DFARS, and ITAR/EAR export controls.
● Technical and Operational Oversight
Manage the execution of financial and schedule performance for assigned projects. Work with the Program IPT to ensure Earned Value Management and IMS performance remains on-track to program baselines. Guide engineering, manufacturing, integration, and test efforts. Troubleshoot technical issues through root-cause analysis, corrective action plans, and cross-functional coordination.
● Financial and Risk Management
Maintain program financial health via calendar periods and program period budgeting, executing cost control actions as necessary, variance reporting, EVM, risk/opportunity mitigation and capture plans, and gross margin optimization.

Job Requirements

● Customer & Stakeholder Engagement
Serve as the primary interface with assigned customers. Lead program reviews, line of balance reviews, status updates, and issue escalation sessions.
● Cross-Functional Leadership
Drive operational excellence by coordinating with supply chain, operations, quality, support services, and other shared resources as necessary to ensure program execution.
● Team Leadership & Continuous Improvement
Mentor peers and emerging project managers to foster continuous improvement, setting measurable goals and reinforcing best practices across the team.

Required Competencies:

Education / Experience:
- Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Systems, or Business – or equivalent experience (min. 6yrs)
- Minimum 5+ years in aerospace or defense program management, preferably as a Tier-1/2 systems or components supplier to airframers
- Preferrable: Proven track record on government programs (i.e., military aircraft) , including hands-on experience with EVM, contract compliance, and customer negotiations for pricing or scope changes.

Skills and Abilities:
Technical & Business Acumen
- Experience with electromechanical systems or aircraft systems
- Proficiency in program tracking tools (IMS, MS Project, EVM systems)
- Financial skills in budgeting, cost tracking, reliability, and margin improvement
Leadership & Communication
- Strong leadership, mentoring, and team development skills
- Effective in diverse environments: office, onsite, and remote—travel up to 25%
- Able to manage and prioritize an active list of actions across multiple programs
- Excellent verbal and written communicator with both technical and senior audiences

Certifications & Security:
- PMP, Lean, or Six Sigma certifications are a strong plus
- U.S. citizen with eligibility for obtaining U.S. government clearances, if needed (not currently required)

But what else? (advantages, specific features, etc.)

Physical Requirements:
- Primary Environment: Office-based work, typically requiring sitting, movement around the building to coordinate with key stakeholders, and operating a keyboard or other office equipment.
- Mobility Needs: Frequently reach with hands and arms, occasionally stand or walk—primarily for meetings or accessing shared workspaces
- Light Material Handling: Occasionally lift, carry, push, or pull items (e.g., laptops, documents)—up to 10 lbs (4.5 kg).
- Vision & Hearing: Close vision required for reading screens/documents; hearing clarity essential for in-person and virtual communication.
- Noise Level: Generally quiet office setting with normal ambient noise.
- Travel Requirements: Travel expected to be ad hoc, but must be available for travel (up to 25%), including visits to customer sites, key suppliers, and partner facilities.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, national origin, disability, veteran status, or other legally protected status.

Company Information

Safran is an international high-technology group, operating in the aviation (propulsion, equipment and interiors), defense and space markets. Its core purpose is to contribute to a safer, more sustainable world, where air transport is more environmentally friendly, comfortable and accessible. Safran has a global presence, with 100,000 employees and sales of 27.3 billion euros in 2024, and holds, alone or in partnership, world or regional leadership positions in its core markets.
Safran is in the 2nd place in the aerospace and defense industry in TIME magazine's "World's best companies 2024" ranking.

Safran Electronics & Defense offers its customers onboard intelligence solutions allowing them to understand the environment, reduce mental load and guarantee a trajectory, even in critical situations, in all environments: on land, at sea, in the sky or space. The company harnesses the expertise of its 13,000 employees towards these three functions: observe, decide and guide, for the civil and military markets.