Senior Avionics Program Manager

Job Description Summary

The Program/Product Manager will play a pivotal role in driving both the strategic vision and execution of Avionics products for civil and military aviation markets. This position requires a balanced skillset, combining strategic foresight to define product needs as well as market positioning with operational excellence to ensure timely delivery and high-quality execution.

This role will act as the bridge between customer needs, business objectives, and technical teams, ensuring alignment across all stakeholders. Success in this role demands a proactive approach to identifying customers' needs as well as the ability to deliver expected results through detailed management of development programs. The ideal candidate will possess strong leadership, analytical, and communication skills to influence cross-functional teams and drive results in a fast-paced, highly technical environment.

Location: Grand Rapids, MI

This position, which offers a blend of onsite and hybrid work arrangements, is based in Grand Rapids and necessitates a presence in the office for 2-3 days each week. An extensive corporate relocation package is also available for eligible candidates.

Job Description

Roles and Responsibilities:

Customer & Stakeholder Leadership

• Own end-to-end program delivery and customer success for avionics products across Civil and Military markets-driving strategy, execution, and growth while ensuring adherence to contract, regulatory, and quality requirements.
• Build and own the primary relationship with customers; act as the single point of contact for communication, execution, and issue resolution.
• Keep customers informed on progress, risks, and changes; lead negotiations on scope, schedule, price, and terms as needed.
• Coordinate customer/technical reviews, leadership visits, and executive updates.

Program Strategy & Growth

• Shape product and program strategy for Civil and Military applications; incorporate market and industry trends.
• While this position may also support Avionics Computing programs, the primary area of focus for this role will be Avionics Networking products and configuration tools.
• Identify and develop growth opportunities with customers and internal stakeholders; lead/assist in proposals, pursuits, and negotiations.

Contract & Performance Management

• Ensure adherence to contract requirements (service, operations, performance), regulatory and government reporting, and internal processes.
• Own change management across price, scope, schedule, and T&Cs; represent the company in business and contractual discussions.

Execution, Delivery & Quality

• Lead cross-functional program execution (Engineering, Manufacturing, Quality, Sourcing, Contracts) to meet Safety, Quality, Delivery, and Cost targets.
• Manage IMS dependencies and recoveries; identify gaps to plan and drive corrective actions.
• Resolve issues rapidly; escalate and remove blockers to protect commitments.
• Develop and maintain revenue forecasts; inform strategic planning and track performance to financial and technical metrics.

Decision-Making & Continuous Improvement

• Use data from internal and external sources to validate assumptions, reconcile conflicting inputs, and make sound decisions.
• Recommend best practices to improve products, processes, and services; lead teams to creative solutions on complex problems.

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor of Science degree from an accredited university or college.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in program management, product management, project management, and/or engineering management within the Aerospace industry.
• This position requires U.S. citizenship status.

Desired Characteristics:

• Currently holds or can quickly obtain relevant security clearance.
• Experience leading product development and strategy for avionics networking solutions leveraging Time Sensitive Networking (TSN), Ethernet and ARINC664 technologies.
• Experience in development and execution of programs and products to be certified under military standards and regulations, such as MIL-STD, MIL-SPEC, and other Department of Defense (DoD) or international military agency requirements.
• Familiarity with aviation standards and regulations, including FAA, EASA, and military specifications.
• Experience in Lean management methodologies highly desirable.
• Proven expertise in development and execution of programs and products to be certified under military standards and regulations, such as MIL-STD, MIL-SPEC, and other Department of Defense (DoD) or international military agency requirements.
• Demonstrated strong performance in employing core Program Management skills (business case development, technical project management & Earned Value, contract management, financial planning and accounting).
• Demonstrated strong performance in customer relationship management in a Military Aerospace environment.
• Detailed partner/supplier management skills with aerospace companies at both the component and system level.
• Experience in program execution of military programs.
• Strong oral and written communication skills.
• Strong interpersonal and leadership skills.
• Demonstrated ability to analyze and resolve problems.
• Demonstrated ability to lead programs / projects.
• Ability to document, plan, market, and execute programs.
• Established project management skills.

The base pay range for this position is $126,000.00 - $180,000.00. The specific pay offered may be influenced by a variety of factors, including the candidate's experience, education, and skill set. This position is also eligible for an annual discretionary bonus based on a percentage of your base salary/ commission based on the plan. This posting is expected to close on 03/31/26.

GE Aerospace offers comprehensive benefits and programs to support your health and, along with programs like HealthAhead, your physical, emotional, financial and social wellbeing. Healthcare benefits include medical, dental, vision, and prescription drug coverage; access to a Health Coach from GE Aerospace; and the Employee Assistance Program, which provides 24/7 confidential assessment, counseling and referral services. Retirement benefits include the GE Aerospace Retirement Savings Plan, a 401(k) savings plan with company matching contributions and company retirement contributions, as well as access to Fidelity resources and planning consultants. Other benefits include tuition assistance, adoption assistance, paid parental leave, disability insurance, life insurance, and paid time-off for vacation or illness.

GE Aerospace (General Electric Company or the Company) and its affiliates each sponsor certain employee benefit plans or programs (i.e., is a "Sponsor"). Each Sponsor reserves the right to terminate, amend, suspend, replace or modify its benefit plans and programs at any time and for any reason, in its sole discretion. No individual has a vested right to any benefit under a Sponsor's welfare benefit plan or program. This document does not create a contract of employment with any individual.

#LI-KS1

This role requires access to U.S. export-controlled information. Therefore, employment will be contingent upon the ability to prove that you meet the status of a U.S. Person as one of the following: U.S. lawful permanent resident, U.S. Citizen, have been granted asylee or refugee status (i.e., a protected individual under the Immigration and Naturalization Act, 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3)).

Additional Information

GE Aerospace offers a great work environment, professional development, challenging careers, and competitive compensation. GE Aerospace is an Equal Opportunity Employer . Employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, national or ethnic origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, protected veteran status or other characteristics protected by law.

GE Aerospace will only employ those who are legally authorized to work in the United States for this opening. Any offer of employment is conditioned upon the successful completion of a drug screen (as applicable).

Relocation Assistance Provided: Yes