Gulfstream Aerospace

Senior Director Programs - Flight Deck Systems

Gulfstream Aerospace$150K — $180K *
Aerospace & Defense
11 - 15 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Management, or related field required; Master's preferred
  • 15+ years in aircraft design, manufacturing, or service and support
  • Minimum of 10 years in program/project management
  • Demonstrated success in managing complex, cross-functional aerospace programs
  • Deep understanding of avionics and flight deck systems integration
  • Strong financial, risk management, and execution skills
  • Executive-level communication and stakeholder management expertise

Responsibilities

  • Develop and champion program strategy, budgets, and cost/benefit analysis for approval
  • Drive cross-functional meetings across multiple departments to align on program goals
  • Initiate and manage all program phases from concept to entry into service
  • Lead financial performance to achieve cost targets and identify savings opportunities
  • Identify program risks and implement effective mitigation strategies
  • Oversee configuration control, ensuring product specifications are maintained
  • Act as primary interface to executive leadership with data-driven updates and recommendations

Benefits

  • Comprehensive health and wellness plans
  • 401(k) retirement plan with company match
  • Paid time off and holidays
  • Employee assistance programs
  • Professional development and ongoing education opportunities
  • Flexible work arrangements where applicable
Full Job Description
Senior Director, Flight Deck Programs to provide strategic leadership for the execution of our most business-critical avionics and flight deck initiatives. This role drives the full lifecycle of complex aircraft systems programs-from concept through certification and entry into service-ensuring alignment with corporate strategy while delivering on technical, regulatory, operational, and customer commitments.

What You Will Do
  • Develop and champion program strategy, cost/benefit analysis, schedules, and budgets for senior leadership approval
  • Drive cross-functional alignment across Engineering, Flight Test, Operations, Supply Chain, Quality, Certification, and Customer Support
  • Initiate, direct, and manage all program phases including requirements, concept development, design, integration, flight test, certification, production ramp-up, retrofit, and entry into service
  • Lead financial performance, ensuring achievement of cost targets, savings opportunities, and revenue objectives
  • Proactively identify program risks and drive mitigation strategies
  • Oversee configuration control activities and maintain product specifications integrity
  • Serve as the primary interface to executive leadership, delivering clear, data-driven program updates and strategic recommendations
  • Champion product improvements across performance, reliability, maintainability, availability, and lifecycle cost
  • Support and coordinate Completion activities to achieve business and customer satisfaction goals
  • Establish and track program metrics to enable effective monitoring and control
  • Drive implementation of tools, systems, and databases to improve program execution efficiency
  • Coordinate with regulatory authorities to ensure timely approval of certification packages


What You Will Bring
  • Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Management, or related field required; Master's preferred
  • 15+ years of experience in aircraft design, manufacturing, or service and support
  • Minimum of 10 years of program/project management experience
  • Demonstrated success leading complex, cross-functional aerospace programs
  • Deep understanding of avionics and flight deck systems and integration across aircraft platforms
  • Strong financial, risk management, and program execution expertise
  • Executive-level communication and stakeholder management skills
  • Comprehensive knowledge of aircraft lifecycle including design, certification, production, and in-service operations
  • Experience working with regulatory authorities and certification processes
  • Pilot's license or business jet operational familiarity preferred


Apply Now

Join us in our mission to create and deliver the world's finest aviation experience. Apply now.

Education and Experience Requirements

Bachelor's Degree Engineering, Management or related field required. 15+ years A/C design, manufacturing or service and support, and program management experience to include 10 years of program/project management experience. Master's Degree Engineering, Management or related field preferred.

Position Purpose:

This position is a strategic leadership role responsible for driving the execution of the company's most business-critical programs. This position can oversee the full lifecycle of complex aircraft systems or platform programs, from concept through certification and entry into service or portions thereof. Operating across Engineering, Operations, Certification, Quality, Supply Chain and Customer Support functions, the position ensures project/program objectives - technical, regulatory, commercial, operational and customer satisfaction are met on schedule, within budget and in alignment with corporate strategy.

Job Description

Principle Duties and Responsibilities:

Essential Functions:
  1. Develops program strategy, cost/benefit, schedules, and budgets for management approval and champions the program deliverables to senior management .
  2. Drives cross functional alignment between Engineering, Flight Test, Operations, Supply Chain, Quality, Certification and Customer Support .
  3. Ability to initiate, direct and manage all program phases, including requirements definition, concept development, preliminary and detailed design, integration, flight test, certification, production ramp-up, retrofit and entry into service .
  4. Effectively manages budgets to achieve recurring cost targets and/or desired savings/revenue. Proactively identify risks and drive mitigation strategies .
  5. Manage/administer program configuration control activities and product specifications .
  6. Serve as the primary program interface to executive leadership, providing clear, data-driven updates and recommendations for strategic decisions .
  7. Champion product improvements related to configuration, performance, reliability, maintainability, availability and life cycle cost across production, completions and service .
  8. Supports and coordinates Completion activities to meet business & customer satisfaction goals .
  9. Champion identification and selection of appropriate metrics to enable effective monitoring and control of relevant programs .
  10. Define, identify and support implementation of tool sets/databases to enable efficient Program Management .
  11. Exceptional communications, stakeholder management and leadership skills .
  12. Coordinate closely with Ars and regulating bodies as needed to ensure timely approval of technical and certification packages .


Additional Functions:
  1. Develop engagement strategies for supplier interactions ahead of program reviews to ensure program deliverables, schedules & budgets are met .
  2. As needed, represent Programs at CAB, ATCAT, Operators Conference, & other customer/industry functions .


Perform other duties as assigned.

Other Requirements:
  1. Comprehensive knowledge of Aircraft Industry Design, Certification, Production, Engineering, Quality, Completion, Material & Service and Support operations.
  2. Detailed understanding of Program/Project Management processes, procedures and an intimate understanding of in service A/C operations.
  3. Pilots license and operational familiarity with business jet operations is preferred.
  4. Understanding of aircraft terminology required. Prior Gulfstream aircraft exposure/knowledge preferred.


A credit history check from a national credit bureau will be conducted for all candidates for this position including new hires and current employees seeking promotion or transfer.This job requires one to be able to read, write, speak, and understand the English language.
Additional Information

Requisition Number: 234280

Category: Program Office

Percentage of Travel: Up to 25%

Shift: First

Employment Type: Full-time

Posting End Date: 06/26/2026

About Gulfstream Aerospace

Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation is an American aircraft company and a wholly owned subsidiary of General Dynamics. Gulfstream designs, develops, manufactures, markets, and services business jet aircraft. Gulfstream has produced more than 2,000 aircraft since 1958. Gulfstream's current range consists of the G280, G550, G500/G600, and G650/G650ER/G700/G800.
Learn more about Gulfstream Aerospace
Industry
Founded
1978

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