Program Manager - Controls and Avionics Solutions

Job Description

About BAE Systems and Controls & Avionics Solutions
“We Protect Those Who Protect Us®.” It is a promise we keep every day. At Electronic Systems, we tackle the aerospace and defense industry’s most difficult problems, from powering the Mars Rover to protecting the F-35 fighter jet. Within Controls & Avionics Solutions (CAS), you will help define and develop the next generation of flight-critical controls and power systems, including fly-by-wire flight controls, full authority digital engine controls, and advanced power management, for both commercial and military platforms.

The Opportunity: Director I Program Management (MAS)
As BAE Systems experiences unprecedented growth, we are strategically expanding our leadership team within the Military Aircraft Systems (MAS) division. We are seeking a Director I Program Manager who is not only an expert in execution but a dedicated people leader committed to the cultural evolution of the MAS organization.

You will be responsible for leading a team of experienced Program Managers, driving the delivery of complex projects, and ensuring that our military customers view BAE Systems as the undisputed "trusted partner" in critical aircraft controls.

Key Responsibilities:

• Execution Excellence: Take full ownership of program performance across a diverse portfolio of military aircraft programs. You will be accountable for financials, schedules, technical execution, and the ultimate metric of success: customer satisfaction.

• Strategic Leadership: Guide products through all phases of the lifecycle, from initial development and new business capture/proposal development through to full-scale production.

• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Partner closely with Engineering, Operations, and Program Office functional leaders to exceed customer expectations and meet rigorous financial commitments.

• People Development: Lead, mentor, and grow a team of Program Managers. You will be responsible for "leveling up" your team, identifying bottlenecks, and attacking problems with urgency.

Cultural Stewardship & Guiding Principles:

The Director II will be the primary champion of the MAS Intent, weaving the following principles into the fabric of daily operations:

• The Warfighter’s Promise: You will instill a culture where every line of code and program milestone is viewed through the lens of the warfighter’s safety. You will ensure the team treats the safety of the pilot as a personal responsibility.

• Winning the Day: You will drive a mindset of incremental victory, treating every day as a discrete opportunity to win and move the mission forward.

• Courageous Leadership: You are expected to lead with the courage to endure discomfort—challenging assumptions and speaking up about technical risks to safeguard the mission.

• Performance with Kindness: You will balance high-performance standards with unwavering benevolence. You will foster an environment where excellence is the standard, but arrogance is never excused, treating colleagues and suppliers with genuine goodwill.

• The Cosmic Perspective: You will lead your team to distinguish between the "urgent" and the "important," maintaining the mindfulness necessary to react to daily crises with calm, long-term precision.

Qualifications:

• Proven track record of leading complex, high-stakes programs within the aerospace and defense industry.

• Demonstrated experience managing other Program Managers and developing leadership talent.

• Expertise in full-lifecycle product management (Development Production).

• Strong financial acumen and a history of delivering on budgetary commitments.

• Ability to balance technical discipline with programmatic speed.

• Requirement: Pursuant to government contract, this position requires US citizenship.

Why Join Us?
Our flexible work environment provides you with the chance to change the world without giving up your personal life. If you are a leader who values technical integrity, relentless reliability, and the human element of leadership, we invite you to build your career with BAE Systems.

Required Education, Experience, & Skills

Required Education, Experience, & Skills:

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, business management, manufacturing or other discipline

• Minimum 10 years of demonstrated success leading execution of complex electronics programs

• Demonstrated ability for building strong customer/ stakeholder relationships.

• Highly adaptable with strong initiative

• Knowledge of the global aviation market and regulatory requirements and/ or military aviation market

• Strategic Thinking: Demonstrated ability to develop and execute strategic plans.

• Leadership & Team Management: Proven ability to lead, motivate, and develop high-performing teams.

• Analytical & Problem-Solving Skills: Exceptional analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to interpret complex data and make data-driven decisions.

• Experience in Earned Value Management and execution

• Communication & Interpersonal Skills: Excellent communication, interpersonal, and presentation and negotiation skills, with the ability to effectively communicate with stakeholders at all levels, including executive leadership.

• Influence & Collaboration: Ability to influence cross-functional teams and build strong working relationships.

• Financial Acumen: Strong understanding of financial statements and key business metrics.

Preferred Education, Experience, & Skills

Preferred Education, Experience, & Skills:

• Master's Degree in manufacturing, management, engineering or related disciplines
• 10 years of demonstrated experience leading a portfolio of programs across one or more platforms in a high tempo, defense aerospace electronics assembly environment
• Proven track record of favorable negotiation outcomes and successful program delivery at values >$30M each

Pay Information

Full-Time Salary Range: $153377 - $260743

Please note: This range is based on our market pay structures. However, individual salaries are determined by a variety of factors including, but not limited to: business considerations, local market conditions, and internal equity, as well as candidate qualifications, such as skills, education, and experience.

Employee Benefits: At BAE Systems, we support our employees in all aspects of their life, including their health and financial well-being. Regular employees scheduled to work 20+ hours per week are offered: health, dental, and vision insurance; health savings accounts; a 401(k) savings plan; disability coverage; and life and accident insurance. We also have an employee assistance program, a legal plan, and other perks including discounts on things like home, auto, and pet insurance. Our leave programs include paid time off, paid holidays, as well as other types of leave, including paid parental, military, bereavement, and any applicable federal and state sick leave. Employees may participate in the company recognition program to receive monetary or non-monetary recognition awards. Other incentives may be available based on position level and/or job specifics.

About BAE Systems Electronic Systems
BAE Systems, Inc. is a defense, aerospace, and security company headquartered in Falls Church, Virginia, with more than 40,000 employees worldwide. We serve, supply, and protect those who protect us. As one of the most geographically diverse international defense companies, we deliver a full range of products and services spanning air, land, maritime, space, and cyber, including advanced electronics, intelligence solutions, and dedicated customer support.

Our culture is performance-driven and values-led, built on curiosity, creativity, and collaboration. Purpose isn't a tagline here. It's what drives us. We're developing breakthrough technologies that defend national security and make a lasting impact on our communities and our planet. When you join BAE Systems, you're not just building a career. You're contributing to a mission that truly matters.

This position will be posted for at least 5 calendar days. The posting will remain active until the position is filled, or a qualified pool of candidates is identified.