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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
Serve as the primary interface with assigned customers. Lead program reviews, line of balance reviews, status updates, and issue escalation sessions.
Drive operational excellence by coordinating with supply chain, operations, quality, support services, and other shared resources as necessary to ensure program execution.
Mentor peers and emerging project managers to foster continuous improvement, setting measurable goals and reinforcing best practices across the team.
Required Competencies :
Education / Experience :
Skills and Abilities :
Technical & Business Acumen
Leadership & Communication
Certifications & Security :
But what else? (advantages, specific features, etc.)
Physical Requirements :
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.
Senior Program Manager • Irvine, California, United States