Senior Program Manager

Location: Arlington, United States of America

Thales people architect solutions that are relied upon to deliver operational advantage at every decisive moment throughout the mission. Defence and armed forces customers rely on us to deliver the full range of defensive systems for land, sea, and air. From early warning, to threat neutralisation, our platforms cover all levels from very short-range systems, to extended protection across the entire battle-space including Airspace Mobility Solutions, Vehicles and Tactical Systems and Missile Defence, Optronics, and Radar.

Knowing what Thales does today, means asking where technology is taking us tomorrow. We are creating the waves of digital transformation that will cary our customers into the future. Where these transformations intersect and interfere is where the most interesting and innovative tomorrows are being built. Thales operates at the intersection of these technologies to find every tomorrow.

Senior Program Manager Arlington, VA (Hybrid)

Position Summary The FAA’s 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 team. We 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 nation’s highest safety and security standards. America’s 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

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Aviation, Systems, Business, or related discipline with 15+ years of progressively responsible program management experience, or a Master’s 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 Gov’t 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 you’re excited about working with Thales, but not meeting the requirements for this position, we encourage you to join our Talent Community!

Why Join Us? Say HI and learn more about working at Thales click here . This position will require successfully completing a post-offer background check. Qualified candidates with [a] criminal history will be considered and are not automatically disqualified, consistent with federal law, state law, and local ordinances.

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.

If you need an accommodation or assistance in order to apply for a position with Thales, please contact us at talentacquisition@us.thalesgroup.com.

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

Total Target Cash (TTC) 126,363.60 - 212,706.00 USD Annual

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 employee’s career path history, competencies, skills and performance, as well as the company’s annual salary budget, the customer’s program requirements, and the company’s internal equity. Thales may offer additional benefits and other compensation, depending on circumstances not related to an applicant’s 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