Program Manager - Aircraft Development | Program Ops

At BETA Technologies, we apply our intellectual curiosity, passion for aviation, and commitment to sustainability toward a shared mission of revolutionizing electric aviation. Regardless of the position one holds, each team member brings their talent and desire to positively impact the environment and lives of others in a refreshing, vibrant, and inclusive culture.

The Aircraft Development Program Manager serves as a critical technical leader responsible for overseeing design through airworthiness of a new aircraft as a derivative of current aircraft in production. This pivotal role bridges complex engineering disciplines, regulatory compliance, and strategic project management to ensure the safety and airworthiness of emerging aircraft technologies.

The ideal candidate will demonstrate exceptional technical expertise, regulatory knowledge, and strategic leadership skills to guide cross-functional teams through the certification process. The candidate will be highly adept at collaborating with internal teams including engineering, certification, supply chain, quality, and production, as well as external stakeholders, including suppliers, contractors, and military representatives. We are looking for a person who enjoys working in complex technical environments to be a part of our people‑centric culture.

• The successful candidate will lead cross‑functional teams to ensure the timely and successful execution of complex programs, driving operational excellence, and meeting customer expectations.
• This role requires a strategic thinker with excellent communication and leadership skills, capable of navigating the challenges of a dynamic, growing organization.
• Serve as the principal program manager overseeing the development of the aircraft, coordinating and leading system‑level Program Managers
• Direct and align Program Managers responsible for specific aircraft systems, e.g. Structural design, Flight control systems, Avionics, etc.
• Manage comprehensive certification projects from initial application through final certificate issuance and into production
• Develop and maintain detailed project plans and tracking mechanisms to communicate schedules, progress, and status to all levels of the business
• Conduct comprehensive technical reviews of aircraft design, performance, and safety documentation
• Manage overall project risk by coordinating risk mitigation strategies among system‑level Program Managers while owning risk assessment and mitigation strategies at the aircraft level

• Bachelor's degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or related field
• 10 years of project or program management experience in aviation
• Advanced understanding of classified systems engineering
• Expertise in military specification and standards compliance
• Proven track record of managing complex projects or programs from inception to completion, demonstrating strong organizational and problem‑solving skills
• Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to influence and lead teams
• Excellent ability to be organized without predetermined structure
• Able to be a pragmatic and creative thinker when solving complex problem in a dynamic environment
• Willingness to be a team player and wear different hats on different days depending on the need
• Demonstrated knowledge of Project Management software (Microsoft Project, Jira, etc.)
• Familiar with:
  Microsoft Office product suite

• Project Management Professional (PMP) Certification
• Active or retired military background strongly preferred
• Experience in working with exported controlled information (ITAR, EAR) and controlled unclassified information (CUI)
• Experience with joint service aircraft development programs
• Current security clearance

$115,000 - $155,000 a year

The wage listed here reflects our best faith estimate for this role. We pay competitively and base compensation on a variety of factors including skills, experience, industry background, and the evolving needs of the role. We remain committed to fair and equitable pay and we're happy to discuss during the interview…